Sanford Founder Rae Green On Our Most-Read Articles of 2024
12 Days of Hope Series #5
Every year at this time, we look back at our best articles and discuss why people want to read what we have written. “Best” means most website clicks and social media shares, and a couple of these articles (with regular updates) have been going strong for years. Looking at our most-read articles of 2024 helps the Sanford Behavioral Health team understand some of the motivators for seeking treatment for addiction, eating disorders, or other mental health conditions. If this batch is any indication, relationships, compromised physical health, and the movie Wicked provide strong incentives to question questionable behaviors. Happy New Year, and please enjoy the best of Excursions Magazine!
Rae Green, JD, LPC, CAADC on the Motivation Behind Our 5 Most-Read Articles
1. Rae: Identifying the warning signs and symptoms of alcohol misuse is often the most important first step in understanding the underlying cause of relational issues. When someone searches for articles like this, they probably feel like they are fighting an uphill battle. There are many resources available to support you and your spouse, and through these support systems, it is possible to find a renewed commitment to making your partnership work.ย Versions of the article below have been on our best-of list since 2018!
Alcohol and Divorce – Is Drinking Ruining the Marriage?
Studies show that alcohol is often cited as the reason for a marriage break-up. Likewise, lack of commitment, infidelity, conflict, money worries, and domestic violence are common reasons for divorce. One could argue thatย alcohol misuse impacts all of these factors, causing breakdowns in communication and accountability.[READ MORE]
Sobriety Makes You Pretty – It’s Better Than Botox
Judy Garland and the Pervasive Stigma of Addiction
Whether the movie was accurate or not, it has gotten people talking about Judy Garlandโs substance use disorder (SUD).ย So has the more recent movie,ย Wicked! The filmย Judy also lays bare her adverse childhood experiences. While in her early teens, Judy was a drug user. Her handlers prescribed amphetamine-based diet pills to control her weight and maintain a brutal movie-making schedule. [READ MORE]
4. Rae: I write a column called “Ask Rae,” where I answer questions about mental health and recovery. Starting a dialogue with a loved one can be challenging. This article reminds us to approach conversations about drinking with care, understanding, and patience. Try to avoid making your spouse feel attacked and keep the dialog focused on concern. And remember that self-care is essential. The best-read article below gives additional advice:
Dear Rae: How Do I Talk to My Partner About Their Drinking?
Your partnerโs anger or abundance of sleeping might be because they are feeling embarrassed, ashamed, or threatened โ significantly if the alcohol use has progressed to dependence. Approach them with sympathy and kindness and without judgment. Find a time when you are alone, and they have not been drinking, are overly tired, or visibly stressed. [READ MORE]
5. Rae: Slogans are phrases that take complex emotions with deep meaning and convey a concise message. Recovery slogans are often focused on the present, reminding people that recovery is a journey. They are also a language of encouragement to help navigate challenges while creating a sense of unity. Bring on the nuggets of wisdom in this best-read article!!
Ten Recovery Slogans – Why They Work
The unique thing about recovery slogans is that many are โequal opportunity.โ In other words, they apply to recovery for family members of people with SUDs and those in recovery from SUDs themselves. No matter what side of the coin you fall on, we all have a great deal in common with our loved ones when it comes to recovery. [READ MORE]
To Askย Rae Green, JD, LPC, CAADC, a Question, Click the Link:
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, eating disorders, or co-occurring mental health conditions, donโt wait to change your life โ click the link below to speak with an admissions specialist today.
