{"id":27695,"date":"2022-11-08T16:40:39","date_gmt":"2022-11-08T22:40:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/?p=27695"},"modified":"2024-08-22T22:00:55","modified_gmt":"2024-08-23T03:00:55","slug":"a-bigger-we-unds-role-in-reinventing-recovery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/2022\/11\/a-bigger-we-unds-role-in-reinventing-recovery\/","title":{"rendered":"A bigger \u2018We\u2019: UND\u2019s role in reinventing recovery"},"content":{"rendered":"

Recovery Reinvented event highlights UND programs, partnerships in addressing substance use disorder<\/strong><\/p>\n

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UND President Andrew Armacost addresses attendees of the Recovery Reinvented event at the Alerus Center on Thursday, Nov. 3. Photo by Adam Kurtz\/UND Today.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Speaking at the Recovery Reinvented event on Thursday, Nov. 3, UND President Andrew Armacost said he feels privileged to be able to further support people in recovery of substance use disorders not only across the breadth of campus, but in the community beyond.<\/p>\n

That means being part of the group of supporters.<\/p>\n

\u201cI certainly hope that in my personal life, I can be part of the \u2018We\u2019 to support those in recovery, and as the president of the University of North Dakota, to be in an even stronger position to be a bigger \u2018We,\u2019 a bigger support group to support those who are in recovery,\u201d Armacost said.<\/p>\n

Armacost was one of the invited speakers at Recovery Reinvented, the annual state-sponsored event that aims to eliminate the shame and stigma of substance use disorder in North Dakota communities. Held this year at the Alerus Center, the event is the key initiative of North Dakota first lady Kathryn Burgum, who has been upfront and open about her struggle with alcoholism and her life in recovery.<\/p>\n

Both Gov. Doug Burgum and Kathryn Burgum hosted the daylong event that brought keynote speakers together to share their stories. The event also serves as a gathering place for behavioral health professionals, family members and friends, and the front-line workers engaged with supporting those with a substance use disorder.<\/p>\n

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North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and first lady Kathryn Burgum embrace on stage at the Recovery Reinvented event on Thursday, Nov. 3. Photo by Adam Kurtz\/UND Today.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In referring to the concept of a \u201cWe,\u201d Armacost took a cue from the day\u2019s first keynote speaker, Carrie Steinseifer-Bates, a three-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming, and now outreach manager for the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. She spoke about her descent into alcoholism, her life in recovery and the need to come together to effect positive change for those facing the disease of addiction.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe, all of you in this room today, we are the voices and the faces that will change the world,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

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Carrie Steinseifer-Bates, a three-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming, and now outreach manager for the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, delivers the first keynote address at Recovery Reinvented on Nov. 3. Photo by Adam Kurtz\/UND Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After being welcomed to the stage by the governor and first lady, Armacost said he prepared his remarks by reflecting on people in his life who have been affected by addiction. In particular, he spoke about two former colleagues who have similar stories \u2013 both are U.S. Air Force Academy graduates, and both attended the same graduate school. Both also suffered from alcoholism.<\/p>\n

The stories of those friends have very different endings. One friend entered recovery and is doing well both professionally and in terms of health. The other died this summer. Armacost said the \u201cWe\u201d played a role in both his friends\u2019 lives.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I reflect upon what happened to them, I realized that the first friend had a great \u201cWe.\u201d The second friend had no one,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Armacost said remembering his friends made him think about what is being done on campus to contribute to support systems for people with substance use disorder. The good news is there is quite a lot UND offers to its faculty, staff and students, as well as to the people in Grand Forks and across North Dakota. Even better news is those programs and initiatives are growing.<\/p>\n

Armacost described several on-campus programs available for UND students, faculty, staff and their families, including:<\/p>\n