Campus News
Recovery, reflection, and community: What’s new at The Cove
The Cove is expanding recovery and wellness offerings, providing inclusive, confidential meetings and peer support for students exploring sobriety, substance use, or overall well-being.
The Cove, home to UC Santa Cruz’s Collegiate Recovery Program, is expanding its support offerings with a new lineup of on-campus recovery and wellness meetings for Spring Quarter.
Located in Hahn 103 (North Entrance, first floor), The Cove is an inclusive, confidential, and student-centered space for students in recovery from alcohol and/or other drugs, as well as anyone exploring their relationship with substances, stress, or mental health. Students do not need to identify as being “in recovery” to participate. Whether sober, sober-curious, cutting back, impacted by someone else’s substance use, or simply seeking a substance-free community, students are welcome.
Weekly meetings
As part of UCSC’s broader commitment to student well-being, The Cove offers support meetings, peer recovery coaching, mentorship, wellness services, and a dedicated space for connection and reflection. New and continuing meetings provide multiple entry points into support, grounding, and community.
Al-Anon at the Cove (Friends & Family Support)
Location: The Cove – Hahn 103
Hosted by: Santa Cruz County Al-Anon Fellowship Volunteers
Al-Anon is a supportive, anonymous space for students who are affected by someone else’s substance use, including family members, partners, roommates, or friends. Participants share, listen, and learn tools for boundaries, self-care, and emotional resilience.
Students interested in taking leadership roles in facilitating this meeting are encouraged to connect with the Cove.
New Beginnings AA (Intro to Alcoholics Anonymous)
Location: The Cove – Hahn 103
Hosted by: Santa Cruz County AA Hospitals & Institutions (H&I)
New Beginnings is an introductory AA meeting for students curious about Alcoholics Anonymous or exploring sobriety. This drop-in space is especially welcoming to those new to recovery or just starting to ask questions about their relationship with alcohol.
Students in recovery who are interested in helping facilitate this meeting are encouraged to get involved.
Check out The Cove calendar for all meeting dates/times.
Meetings coming soon
The Cove continues to add resources to meet students’ needs. In spring quarter, Redwood Tides Meditation will begin. Meetings will be updated on the calendar before the new quarter begins.
Redwood Tides Meditation (New! Begins the first week of spring quarter)
Location: The Cove – Hahn 103
Hosted by: Joe Henderson from The Camp Recovery Center
Beginning the first week of spring quarter, Redwood Tides will offer guided meditation and mindfulness space for any student looking to slow down, quiet their mind, and disrupt the chaos of college life. This gentle, grounding meeting is open to all students, with no recovery identity or meditation experience required.
MA at the Cove (Marijuana Recovery Support Group) Relaunches Spring Quarter 2026
Location: The Cove – Hahn 103
Hosted by: Santa Cruz County Marijuana Anonymous Fellowship
This peer-led, anonymous meeting offers support for students who want to change their relationship with cannabis. Whether you’re trying to quit, cut back, or better understand your use, this is a non-judgmental space grounded in shared experience and mutual support.
Students in recovery for cannabis use disorders who are interested in facilitating this meeting are encouraged to connect with the Cove.
Personalized support beyond meetings
In addition to group meetings, The Cove offers free Peer Recovery Coaching for UCSC students. Coaches provide one-on-one, non-judgmental support for students navigating recovery, well-being, or concerns about their own or a loved one’s substance use. Students can request a meeting time at Peer Recovery Coaching.
Drop by Cove’s new beachy space located in Hahn to learn more about peer support and what recovery and community look like on campus.
Contact The Cove
Location: Hahn 103 (North Entrance, first floor)
Contact: thecove@ucsc.edu
Phone: 831-459-4223
A closer look at The Cove
The Cove is part of Student Health and Wellness at UC Santa Cruz and serves as the university’s Collegiate Recovery Program. It is an inclusive space for students in recovery from alcohol and/or other drugs, as well as anyone interested in or supporting recovery. The Cove welcomes students representing a range of ages and sobriety experiences and is supported by UCSC staff, faculty, and community members. Learn more about The Cove.
Student Health and Wellness is a unit within the Division of Student Affairs and Success (DSAS). The unit includes medical services, counseling and psychological services, advocacy, health education, and student health outreach programs. UCSC students have access to a full range of health and wellness resources, including in-person and telehealth appointments, support groups, workshops, and more. Learn More about Student Health and Wellness.
Division of Student Affairs and Success (DSAS) advances holistic student development by providing programs, services, and resources that support students’ academic achievement, personal growth, and sense of belonging. Grounded in equity and student success, the division partners across campus to create inclusive environments where all students can thrive. To learn more, visit the DSAS website and follow @ucsc.dsas on Instagram.