deception

Deception as a Defense in Addiction – Third Stage of Change

  This article is the 3rd in our series of 4 articles on the primary defenses of addiction. In this article we will focus on deception as a defense in addiction. Families and loved ones are the brunt of deception by those developing a substance use disorder (SUD). This defense is not only acted out […]

Humor as Therapy – The Limelight Interview

Addiction treatment has been impacted by the uncertainty and isolation of the past few months. During this time, we learned that group therapy can be conducted, with positive outcomes, via telehealth. And we also learned that glimpses of the lives and living environments of our clients and therapists during virtual treatment creates a new intimacy. […]

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Boundaries in Recovery – The Freedom of Setting Limits

From the presentation “Establishing Healthy Boundaries in Recovery” – Families Against Narcotics (FAN) Washtenaw County Family Forum, May 11, 2020 by Rae Green, JD, LPC, CAADC and Ellen M. Sork, LLMSW.   What are boundaries in recovery? “Boundary” is a word that has found its way into our everyday vocabulary and popular media. The concept […]

boundary

Do You Know How Active Addiction Feels?

As an adult, in a family with a member who has an active addiction, it is likely you are having feelings and thoughts reported by many other family members who deal with addiction in their midst. You feel hurt, anger, frustration, self-doubt, confusion, anxiety, fear, sadness, and hopelessness. You might also believe you have tried […]

how active addiction feels lonely beach

Alcohol Ruins Relationships and Marriages, Even Brad Pitt’s

  In a spate of articles and talk show banter over the past few years, actor Brad Pitt has blamed his alcohol use for the demise of his marriage to Angelina Jolie. It seems there was a defining incident on a private plane when Brad was inappropriately rough with one of his children. I can […]

Brad Pitt

Mindfulness, Eat, Spring, Dogs – the Best of Excursions Magazine!

We’re not going to lie, spring has sprung here in Michigan, but it’s tough to appreciate when cloistered inside. The challenge is to find the beauty in the season even when it’s not easy to be in the season. Open the windows and listen to birdsong (they are still singing). Go for an early morning […]

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Relapse! Does Addiction Treatment Work?

Family members in the Sanford Family Program often ask, “Why is there so much relapse with addiction?”  Right along with the first question, I hear, “My loved one went to treatment and we all participated in the programs. Why did this relapse happen? Doesn’t treatment work?”   Relapse! Does Addiction Treatment Work? The truth of […]

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Sanford’s David Green on the Wood Radio CEO Spotlight

Sanford Founder and CEO, David Green, sat down with Wood Radio’s, Justin Barclay, yesterday in the CEO Spotlight. They talked about the tough “business” of addiction treatment, what it takes to assess and treat someone seeking help and how the disease of addiction impacts the entire family system. They also touched on the challenges and […]

CEO spotlight

Family Support Group at Sanford – Making a Connection

Here are the facts about the Sanford Family Support Group: The group is for family members and friends (F&F) of clients or former clients of Sanford. It does not matter what level of care the family member has been treated in.   Any F&F who has been through our 4-session Family Program or a previous […]

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Establishing Healthy Boundaries in Family Recovery

In this article, we will look at how to establish healthy boundaries in family recovery. Over the past several weeks, my articles have been focused on elements behind the formation of healthy boundaries. However, establishing healthy boundaries is essential to becoming effective in working with a loved one with a substance use disorder (SUD). Healthy […]

healthy boundary hedges along a path