Given the importance of communication skills and positive relationships to addiction recovery, a series of communication skills workshops for residents of a long-term drug and alcohol residential treatment centre was designed and delivered by students in an undergraduate communication class within the university's Community Service Learning program. The purpose of this study was to gauge the impact of these workshops on the participants' communication skills, relationships and recovery program. Thematic analysis of qualitative interviews with the participants was conducted and five themes emerged. This paper discusses the significance of these themes and the role of training in developing communication skills and creating recovery capital as critical aspects of addiction treatment. It also highlights the contribution that students can make to these processes through service-learning.