Mocktail Recipes to Toast the Holidays
It’s party time, and the good news for those who are in early recovery or alcohol-free is the trend toward the damp/dry lifestyle and the growth of sober bars and mocktails on the menu. In Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan, many establishments serve non-alcoholic drinks, and Chartreuse Sisters serves homemade sweet treats and mocktails with enticing […]
10 Sober Holiday Traditions at Sanford Behavioral Health
It’s December 1st, and for those in recovery, the holidays may loom as a stressor, not the stuff of storybooks. At Sanford Behavioral Health, our sober holiday traditions have stood the test of time through gloomy days and a pandemic. Remember staying sober through that holiday season? Along with the customs of tinsel, candles, dreidels, […]
Worried About a Loved One’s Drinking During the Holidays? 7 Ways You Can Help
Updated 11/19/ 2025 At Sanford Behavioral Health, we get feedback from the loved ones of previous clients this time of year. They tell us about the difference between holidays in recovery versus the years prior when their loved ones were in active addiction. We hear, “It is such a relief. I used to get so […]
The Holiday Season is Upon Us! Recovery Plans and Tips
The 2024 Holiday Season is upon us! No matter whether and what you celebrate, the season is enjoyable and stressful. The stress comes along with the disruption of our usual day-to-day routines and the added tasks related to the celebrations of the season. Odd isn’t it that the very enjoyment we crave and anticipate, one […]
How Can We Establish Family Boundaries in Recovery?
Let’s face it: family members can push every button. When a person is in recovery from a substance use disorder, the entire family is involved in the delicate process of transitioning beliefs, feelings, and actions. How can we establish family boundaries in recovery? In an upcoming webinar with the Mental Health Association in Michigan, […]
Meet Hilary Fowler, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner for Eating Disorders
Hilary Fowler is a dual-board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner (NP) and psychiatric mental health NP. As a provider, she specializes in eating disorders, particularly with adolescents, and focuses on residential and day treatment (PHP) at Sanford Behavioral Health. We sat down with Hilary to discuss her role at Sanford Behavioral Health Campus and how she collaborates […]
Coping With Winter SAD – Helpful Tips
It’s been a great fall season in West Michigan! The weather has been warm and sunny with very little rain, and it has lasted through October. The sunny days and cooler nights have created great colors in the foliage. Almost any day, a person could go outside and enjoy the fresh air and scenery of […]
Is Pink Cocaine the New Club Drug?
Pink cocaine (or tusi) is a dyed pink powder, but despite its name, it does not contain much cocaine. The hot pink color comes from food dye or colored baking powder to distinguish it from cocaine or methamphetamines. Like MDMA or ecstasy, pink cocaine is a mind-altering hallucinogenic drug, although the effects and mixtures of […]
Recreational Therapy During the Holidays (It’s Spooky Spirit Week)
The holiday season has begun, and one of the biggest reasons we hear for putting off residential treatment is, “I do not want to be in a treatment facility during the holidays.” At Sanford Behavioral Health, we think the holidays are a very good time to commit to getting help for an eating disorder. Why? […]
Are You Supporting or Enabling Your Addicted Loved One?
Over the many years I have spent working with family members of individuals with substance use disorders (SUD), the number one question I get is, “What can we do to help?” The question leads to a discussion about supporting and enabling behaviors to engage in while attempting to get a loved one to acknowledge a […]
