Michael Markovich, a 21-year-old junior at the University of Texas, Austin (UT), does not drink alcohol or do drugs.

"I'm trying to live drug-free, and it's around me all the time," he said. "If it is one thing that brings me discomfort, it is my living situation."

Markovich is one of 14 students recovering from substance-abuse problems at the Center for Students in Recovery (CSR) at UT.

Markovich withdrew from the school in fall 2003 and stayed out of school for the spring semester. Being out of college for a year made him re-evaluate the importance and opportunities that college offers.

"I came back much more focused with what's important and what's helping me in my goals," Markovich said.

Since getting involved with CSR, Markovich has broken away with his "using buddies" and has built friendships based on friendship, not on substances, he said. "The longer I'm sober, the more I realize how meaningless those friendships were," he said.

Laura Jones-Swann, CSR coordinator, said setting up the center was an extensive two-year process. UT is following in the footsteps of other institutions such as Rutgers University in New Jersey, which pioneered recovery housing for students with substance addictions in 1988, said Lisa Laitman, director of the drug and alcohol housing at Rutgers.

At Rutgers, recovery housing is offered in one building which houses 23 students, but the location of the building is kept confidential to protect recovering students from being stigmatized, Laitman said.

"It came out of a need that we realized by working with students in recovery," Laitman said. "They really wanted more of a supportive community than the dormitory offers."

Penn State does not offer a recovery house environment, but through the Living in a Free Environment living option in Ewing and Tener Halls, students do have a substance-free living option.

The living option has been offered at University Park since 1992 and was generated from student interest, said Alison Cummings, associate director of residence life. There is not specifically a requirement for students to abstain from alcohol, tobacco or drugs, Cummings said.

"There are some students that may not be completely substance-free, but they are very committed in maintaining the environment," she said.

Stephen Shetler, a drug and alcohol counselor at the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), estimated that in a year there are about 100 students who come to CAPS with incidents relating to substance abuse, and they are offered initial consultation.

"I think alcohol is widely used in Penn State," Shetler said. "It doesn't mean that anyone who is drinking, even those binge drinking, has a problem."

Shetler said the center offers consultations for students with substance-abuse problems.

"A lot of students are able to manage their college experience in spite of substance abuse, those who seek services for that need can vary considerably," Shetler said.

Cleveland's Case Western Reserve University followed the Rutgers model and has been offering recovery housing for students since August 2004.

"We sat here for 10 years thinking we need to do something," said Jes-James Sellers, director of university counseling services and collegiate behavioral health. "About a year or two ago, I went to a staff member and said 'let's focus on one issue,' and that's when we targeted students who are recovering from substance abuse."

Rutgers and Case Western are two of six universities nationwide offering recovery housing for students.

CAPS had two certified addiction counselors -- Shetler and Julie States -- and other counselors with the background and experience could offer consultation also, CAPS Director Dennis Heitzmann said. "Right now what we have is providing limiting treatment, with the understanding that if extensive services beyond what we can provide are needed, referrals are made to community resources," Heitzmann said.

Shetler said creating a center focused on substance abuse and recovering students would have to be developed under the wing of University Health Services (UHS) because students with substance abuse usually have a dual diagnosis.

"A center, in my view, would provide far more comprehensive treatment," Heitzmann said.

"We have very little treatment right now," he said.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism commissioned a study of some strategies that can be used in communities to address the issue.

One of the ways is increasing enforcement, which can act as a deterrent, State College Police Sgt. Dana Leonard said, and State College is one of the pilot programs trying this model.

An incident is defined as an alcohol overdose if an ambulance is called to the scene, Leonard said.

"About 65 percent of our crime after 8 p.m. is alcohol-fueled," he said.

Heitzmann said there have been plans for a new UHS building on campus to be completed by 2008, but there has been no talk of expanding the services.