Social Distancing, Isolation and Addiction Recovery COVID-19
As a person in recovery, I have been taught that isolation is bad for me. And that connection and community is good. In fact, everyone in recovery from a substance use disorder (SUD) has had this concept drummed into their heads for good reason. Folks with active SUDs isolate so they can protect their addiction. […]
Unmasking the Face of Addiction – WWMT3 News Interview
Thank you to WWMT3’s Alexis Berdine for this sensitive interview of Sanford Addiction Treatment Centers House Manager Shelby Wirth. At a time when everyone is anxious and worried about the future, it is nice to hear the good news about a heroin recovery success story. And Shelby not only works in the addiction treatment field, […]
The Motivation of Rock Bottom in Recovery
Rock bottom is a phrase that I have heard a lot since finding sobriety. And I realize that the term “rock bottom” is subjective. I originally thought rock bottom was an event that would define a singular course of action for me to recover from my addiction. In fact, my first rock bottom happened on […]
Preventing Addiction – Responsible Use, Misuse, Dependence
Is preventing addiction possible? My office looks out on a residential treatment center parking lot. So I am privy to the expressions on the faces of people as they arrive for their first day in rehab – arguably what will be both the worst and best day of their lives. To a person, they look […]
Dogs & Addiction Recovery – Sobriety’s Best Friend?
In the early days of my recovery journey, staying sober was my primary focus and it kept me busy. I had no time for a dog. In order to beat the cravings, I had to fill my time with all sorts of activities. There were meetings and talking with others in recovery to help me […]
New Day, New Year, New Video – Sanford Addiction Treatment Centers
‘Tis the season to be thankful. It’s also the season to look back on the previous year and forward to 2020. In 2019, the Sanford team did what they do best. We continued to provide an addiction treatment exemplar in our residential houses – Sanford House at Cherry Street for Women and Sanford House […]
Angry & DUI – Should I Call the Police?
If you live with someone who drinks or drugs too much, the following scenario should be familiar. The argument begins (as it always does) about mid-way between sobriety and your loved one’s peak inebriation and ends in DUI. It may start because of a missed milestone or unbecoming behavior in public. It may erupt […]
Sober Dating? How on Earth Do I Master Relationships?
Life as a single sober person can be difficult. And sober dating? Fellowship meetings are not social clubs, and I tend to focus on recovery and helping others while there. So it’s difficult to meet someone (although it does happen). I am also acutely aware that many of my fellows share stories of partners who […]
Recovery Kayaking – The Uncomplicated Joy
Sobriety, once you get the hang of it, makes life uncomplicated. Take kayaking for example. In my active addiction, a kayaking trip would have been an elaborate affair. I would leave the sunblock, water and bug spray behind, but stockpile wine in plastic water bottles. My balance was so bad, I would never have been […]
What is Early Recovery? And When Do I Graduate?
I was hiking with a group of people who are new to recovery. And out of the blue, one of them asked, “What’s early recovery?” Before I could answer, someone else said, “Yeah. What is early recovery and how do I get out of it?” Still a third said, “I have a friend […]
