UWM’s “Club Soda” offers students a weekly sober social for those who are recovering addicts, curious about sobriety or wish to support sober individuals.
Created by UWM Student Health and Wellness (SHAW), Club Soda has a wide range of students participating, from first-year to adult and non-traditional students.
“We know that substance abuse and dependence touch all manner of lives no matter the race, age or income of the person,” Crysta Jarczynski said. Jarczynski is SHAW’s Alcohol and Other Drug Misuse Prevention Coordinator.
The club has no requirements to participate, and a person doesn’t have to have spent a certain amount of time sober.
“They can just know that it’s a place to go to meet people who are interested in not having substance abuse be on a high pedestal and something they are doing when they socialize,” Jarczynski said.
This year, UWM participated in the National College Health Assessment (NCHA) regarding student alcohol and substance use, which collects data on the health and wellness of a student population.
1,200 students were surveyed, and according to SHAW, one-third did not use alcohol in the last three months, 72% didn’t use cannabis in the last three months and 55% had never used cannabis before.
“Despite these numbers, students often assume they are alone in wanting to socialize without substances,” Jarczynski said. “They make these assumptions based on stereotypes about party culture in college, plus Wisconsin’s reputation as a heavy drinking state.”
Looking towards the future, SHAW wants to launch Club Soda as a student organization to expand the club’s possibilities.
With student organization funding, Club Soda can apply for grant money towards travel to events, bringing in speakers and other operating costs.
“I want to fight to make sure it doesn’t fizzle out, and we just grow and get stronger,” club member Erica Robinson said. “I want people who are sober to come… I want people who have never taken a drug in their life to come… I want people who are not sober, and they’re still partaking, to come.”
Club Soda meets every Thursday from 4-5 pm in the Student Union Lounge B. A typical meeting will involve soda, snacks, games and deep conversation in an open, safe space.
If you are struggling with substance use, or interested in evaluating how it fits into your life, reach out to the Student Health and Wellness Center at aodresources@uwm.edu. SHAW offers free, confidential, nonjudgemental support and referral services for students.