Stigma, Addiction, and Addiction Recovery
Each year around the time of our Alumni reunion we count up the total number of years of individual recovery that are represented among our staff. How many collective years of recovery do you guess the Pavillon staff have? And what good can be found in that collective wisdom? To start thinking about the value … Continued
The Pavillon campus sits on just over 160 acres of natural and luxurious land in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, about 45 minutes from Asheville. The campus contains a natural waterfall, a lake, walking trails around the lake, and trails through the woods. Those woods themselves contain a treeless … Continued
One of the greatest health issues plaguing our society, identified by the World Health Organization as “the biggest health epidemic of the 21st century” is stress leading to burnout. It is believed to cost Americans up to $300 billion per year in healthcare costs, both personal and business. It impacts every part of your physical, … Continued
Have you ever wondered if there are any medications that are not addictive, and can also help with an alcohol use disorder? Some of the most reliable, useful, and brief information sources for details of this kind, written for the public, are found at the: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) National Institute … Continued
Many who reach the jumping off point for recovery are at a loss as to how to get started. For years they’ve tried to quit but were unable to. Now that a crisis (physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual) has precipitated a desperate need to stop using, they feel alone and lost. If they are fortunate … Continued
Part of the recovery process is learning about ourselves, re-starting our personal spirituality, and finding a spiritual higher power. This is not always easy work and we would often much rather focus on something other than our inner work. If the distraction of technology is available, it is easy to turn away from this challenging, … Continued
The idea of self-care may be a foreign concept for many. That is certainly true of MANY people in early recovery. Often, we do not know our “self” very well yet and have no idea what “care” that self may need. Others may think that someone else is supposed to take “care” of them or … Continued
Change can be good, or bad. Change can be beautiful, or ugly. Or in-between. Or maybe even neither. Change can mean taking a break from action, so that we make the space to preserve the good. It seems like the universe exists in such a way that things at rest tend to fall apart, disorganize, … Continued
Pavillon’s annual alumni reunion is coming up soon! Plan to attend! We’re back on campus this year. This gives alumni and staff a chance to visit and connect in person, outside of the virtual world. For Pavillon staff, the alumni reunion has meant a great deal over the years. Some of the things the reunion … Continued
When we get stigmatized by others, or by society, it hurts. And it also hurts when we stigmatize ourselves. But what is “stigma?” Let’s look at 1.) a couple of definitions of stigma, 2.) how stigma can show itself, and also 3.) how recovery is an antidotefor stigma. First, some definitions. The Wikipedia definition of … Continued