These 10 Excuses are the Enemy to Your Recovery. Do Any Apply to You?
It’s the holidays—the time for pageants at church and school, office parties, and family responsibilities. As a person in recovery, I can remember this time of year while in active addiction. On top of the crushing TO DO list of everyday holiday tasks, there was the exhausting schedule of drinking, planning to drink, and […]
Don’t Call it Gym Class: Recreational Therapy for Eating Disorders
Recreational therapy, also known as therapeutic recreation, is essential to the comprehensive treatment of those with eating disorders at Sanford Behavioral Health. People seeking treatment may feel lost and disconnected from their identity, values, bodies, and leisure interests because of their eating disorder(s). This is where the recreational therapist steps in as part of […]
Not Your Grandpa’s Detox – One Year of Reflections
Sanford Founder’s Reflections on Advancements in Medical Detox My family has a story we tell about the time my grandfather went to alcohol detox at Deaconess Hospital in Detroit. It was back in the 1970s when the approach was “white knuckle.” He was tied to the bed with straps. While his sons held vigil, he […]
How Does Addiction Affect Family?
Addiction can significantly impact the entire family. It is important to understand how addiction affects family dynamics. Addiction can affect the family by increasing conflict and stress within the household, altering familial roles and responsibilities, and disrupting important relationships or communication between family members. Many addiction treatment programs offer family support and therapy services to […]
Art Therapy: It’s Not What You Think
Art therapy has always been a part of Sanford Behavioral Health’s programming. One of the tenants of art therapists is to ask a group to “show me.” Of course, when asking someone to “show” something, they are asking them to show themselves. Sanford embraces creative expression as a viable and effective framework for treatment. Because […]
Letting Go in Family Recovery (Happy Thanksgiving!)
Once again, it’s the holiday season with a tradition of gathering and gift-giving to folks you care about! And Thanksgiving is the time we count our blessings and express gratitude – all part of the recovery process! At Sanford Behavioral Health, we care about our clients and Excursions readers and have a little practical […]
What Is Outpatient Detox Treatment?
When a person is struggling with substance use issues, they may need detox treatment to safely and effectively rid their bodies of harmful substances. Outpatient detox treatment is a form of detox that takes place part-time, typically involving several hours each week of medical assistance and support from addiction specialists. This type of outpatient drug […]
Dear Rae: No Alcohol for the Holidays? I’m Mad!
Dear Rae: I just got an email from my aunt saying our cousin (we’ll call him Bill) is in early recovery from addiction, and to support him, she is not allowing any alcohol in her house for the holidays. I have to admit it makes me mad! My aunt is always the center of our […]
ARFID – Avoidant Restrictive Food and Intake Disorder
Avoidant restrictive food and intake disorder (ARFID) is avoidance of food/nutrition. Still, the avoidance is based on fear of choking or vomiting triggered by smells and textures, not anxiety about weight gain. It results in a loss of weight or a failure to gain weight at the rate expected along the developmental trajectory for […]
3 Tips to Help Your Mental Health During the Holidays
The holidays can be a memorable and joyful time, but they can also be stressful and challenging for your mental health. Regarding your mental health, it’s essential to understand that you shouldn’t feel ashamed or embarrassed by any mental health issues you might face. In the U.S., mental health is a serious issue that impacts […]
