The Pause Offers A Safe Haven For Recovery In Brewster

BREWSTER – Addiction has been a problem on Cape Cod and the Islands for many years. The Pause is looking to throw those suffering from the illness a lifeline by providing a space to call their own. 

 It all started around 38 years ago in Orleans with a small meeting space off Cove Road, facilitated by the Cape Cod Council on Alcoholism. Meetings at the space became very popular because they offered community, rehabilitation and support. Locals started calling the space “Pause A While,” which was shortened to “The Pause.” 

 After seeking a permanent location, The Pause moved to a leased building at 26 Giddiah Hill Rd. in Orleans in 2000, where it stayed for 22 years. The Pause officially became an official nonprofit organization 13 years ago. 

 By 2022, The Pause was in need of a new space. The building needed some improvements, and getting a mortgage was turning out to be more difficult than previously anticipated by the organization. 

After touring 28 properties between 2019 and 2023, Pause officials finally found its forever home in Brewster at 250 Underpass Rd. The new building offered three floors of space so multiple meetings could be held at once, something the prior building could not facilitate. 

 Now, with three years under its belt, the new location has become a safe haven for those struggling with addiction. 

 “The Pause is a community center for recovery,” said Andrew Fettig, the organization’s president. “Basically our mission is to support both alcoholics and addicts, as well as family members and loved ones to those suffering from substance misuse. We facilitate this by providing a dedicated space for 12-step meetings and year-round sober social activities.” 

 Organizations like the 12 Steps Alcoholic Anonymous program provide weekly, sometimes daily, meetings at the building. On average, there are about four meetings per day at The Pause; the schedule can be found at pauseawhile.org/meeting-schedule/. 

 Fettig said it was important to have an established space to host the meetings because they are usually the first ones to get bumped from other organization’s schedules. 

 “They are sort of a low priority on the totem pole for whatever organization, whether it’s a church or a community center,” he said. “And so if things need to happen, they are sort of the first ones to get bumped.” 

 Some community centers are requiring groups to have individual insurance policies which are financially unavailable for many organizations, said Fettig. The Pause doesn’t charge rent from programs until they are officially established. Once they are, it’s about $60, if they can spare it. 

 “The idea is we’re not trying to make money off these groups or pay the mortgage off of these groups,” said Fettig. “We’re trying to allow them to have this space.”

 In order to make up for the extra funding that is needed, the organization applies for grants and hosts fundraising events, including an annual golf tournament. This past August marked the third year for the event, which took place at Ocean Edge. 

 On March 23, The Pause will host a three-course benefit dinner at La Bella Vita with a live auction and stories of support in the community. The event requires registration and tickets are $100. 

 Fettig explained that resources for addiction recovery on Cape Cod are relatively limited. The closest recovery center, aside from The Pause, is in Falmouth. He also said that while many people seeking rehabilitation have to travel off Cape Cod, once they return, they are usually on their own. 

 The Pause helps to build a sense of community and establishes a structured schedule where residents know they can rely on a meeting each and every day, if needed. The Pause also offers virtual meetings by Zoom or phone. 

 Fettig said The Pause has partnered with a number of organizations including Recovery Without Walls, which helps support women in recovery, and WellStrong, which provides wellness sessions for those in recovery. 

 The Pause accommodates a little over 200 people every week. This is not reflective of just those in recovery. They offer a variety of meetings for those affected by addiction and alcoholism, including children. 

All meetings, schedules and times can be found online at pauseawhile.org.