The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced a plethora of challenges across various aspects of our lives, including the realm of college substance abuse and recovery. At 12 South Recovery, a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center in Lake Forest, CA, it’s crucial for us to understand and address the impact of the pandemic on this critical issue. The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically altered the landscape of higher education, affecting millions of college students across the nation. With remote learning, social distancing measures, and limited social interactions becoming the new norm, the impact on student’s mental health and substance abuse struggles cannot be ignored. In this article, we’ll delve into the profound effects of COVID-19 on college students’ substance abuse, explore the hurdles faced in their recovery journey, and offer insights into how addiction treatment and recovery programs can adapt and support students during these unprecedented times.