The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (for Recovery)?
The holidays present a slew of stressors, especially this year. They include financial pressure, over-commitment, and the expectations of a “perfect” memory-making scenario (while keeping everyone safe). For individuals new to recovery, the holidays may also present a surplus of triggers. Celebration of any kind, be it a birthday, promotion, or end of the […]
Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care – Limelight Interview
A recovery-oriented system of care (ROSC) is an infrastructure with the resources to address the full range of substance use problems within communities. The ROSC provides a continuum of care, working together with mental health and primary care resources. This includes prevention, early intervention, various treatment programs, continuing care, and long-term recovery. Recovery-Oriented […]
Anybody Else Having Trouble Sleeping?
I have a sleep history. For most of my adult life I have been a card-carrying insomniac. Waking at 3:00 am with a crazy energy, sweeping the front porch at dawn and banging pots and pans (or any other noisy handiwork) by 5:00 am. Loved ones stuffed toilet paper in their ears to deaden […]
Substance Use, Mental Health, COVID-19 – the Connection
A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Report verifies what we have been hearing and reading over the past ten months of the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 has negatively impacted our mental health. But with nearly a year of social constraints and disease diagnosis, the data coming in are showing some interesting new […]
Principles of Resilience in Recovery 2020
COVID-19 has brought significant upheaval and challenges to millions of families in our country and throughout the rest of the world. In your life situation, as you are reading this article, it’s likely that on top of COVID-19, you have a special person in your life with a substance use disorder. Or you are […]
Coping Strategies for Substance Use Surge – WoodTV8 Interview
Thank you to WoodTV8 and, Donovan Long, for shining a positive light on substance use treatment during the pandemic. Donovan interviewed Sanford founder, Rae Green, and staff members in recovery, Shelby Kendrick and Ellen Long, in front of one of the Sanford residential facilities this week. Sanford is a residential and outpatient addiction treatment […]
The Human Element in Addiction Treatment – Limelight
When you think about addiction treatment, you may not think about the staff, at all levels, who will implement the programs day-to-day. But the people who work at an addiction treatment center are important to one’s overall comfort, participation, and success. And when someone is vulnerable, a humane person-to-person connection can be the difference between […]
COVID-19 Relapse – Miley Cyrus Focuses on Sobriety
In a series of recent articles, Miley Cyrus, who was 6 months alcohol free, admits to “falling off” during the pandemic. She says she is now “focusing on sobriety” after a relapse a few weeks ago. Miley is not alone in her struggles. And by speaking out, and reclaiming her recovery, she serves as […]
Sober Cocktails from the Sanford Kitchen
Sober friends and recovery holidaymakers, we are in the heart of the 2020 festivities. Anybody else getting a little club soda logged? Even in the parred down events of this year, you might want to toast your favorite bubble-mate, the coming of a vaccine or 2021. There is something unnerving about a proffered champagne tray, […]
Opioids in the NFL – The Pressure to Perform
As of 2017, the opioid crisis has been designated as a public health emergency. 80-90% of opioid deaths happen in the United States, yet we are only 5% of the world’s population. The CDC reported that in 2019 opioid overdoses were up 4.6% and for 2020 we are on track for a 13% increase. […]
