Author: Pavillon

“The 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (PDF | 7.6 MB) found that 68.9% of the estimated 22.4 million illicit drug users, ages 18 or older, are employed full or part time. The same survey found that most binge drinkers and heavy alcohol users are also employed. Of adult binge drinkers, 79.3% (41.2 million … Continued

Addiction does not occur because of a lack of willpower or an unwillingness to stop. It is a chronic illness accompanied by significant changes in the brain. While both men and women can become addicted to drugs or alcohol, women often use drugs differently, respond to drugs differently and can have unique obstacles when it … Continued

“There was a significant relationship between the number of days spent in clinically managed residential treatment and abstinence such that the more days participants spent in clinically managed residential treatment, the more likely they were to be abstinent at the 12-month follow-up.”  From National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (2019) Addiction Treatment Providers Outcomes – Pilot … Continued

As a part of our Alumni Testimonial series, this blog article features a Pavillon treatment alum’s personal story about the unplanned gifts that reflection and simple steps can bring to the recovery journey.  One night at a 12-Step meeting, someone brought the March 4th reading of the Daily Reflections, titled “Weeding the Garden,” as a … Continued

Within our present set of unprecedented circumstances, it can sometimes feel like quite the uphill battle to not completely give in to an overwhelming sense of victimization and passivity. I mean, really, how much more Netflix watching can one be expected to endure? I’ve started to feel (and fear) that the most active part of … Continued

– Michael R., Alumni Fear, like pain, may not be the most pleasurable experience to have to endure but that doesn’t mean that there cannot be valuable information obtained nonetheless. Without these often unsettling indicators, we would not be able to make the required course changes so as to avoid an even more challenging set … Continued

– Michael R., Alumni This is the central fact that I can never loose sight of, never forget. Yet this seems to be the very first thing my Disease wants me to forget. Like most people who live with the challenges of an addictive personality, my memory can be short and my capacity to minimize … Continued

– Michael R., alumni “The obvious eludes us.” ~Anonymous As an active alcoholic and addict, the obvious eluded me continually and repeatedly. To be honest, it still does from time to time. At least now, when I miss something that is right in front of me I’m able to re-chart my erroneous course and intentionally … Continued

Skip W., Alumni As an addict the only thing I trusted was my addiction. I just wanted to stay high, enjoying the moment until I no longer could. Then what? I mean, come on! I didnt want some Higher Power to run my life. But then, I hadn’t done a great job, had I? TRUST GOD: … Continued

– Michael R. Being able to anticipate my own “growing edges,” defects of characters or whatever else I may wish to call them is indeed one of the greatest advantages of having the clearer mind that comes with getting and staying clean and sober. As Bruce—who also happens to be my Grand-sponsor—also likes to say, … Continued