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 […]
Sanford Addiction Treatment – Michigan Company Rehabbing Rehab
Jeffrey Mosher, of Michigan Business Network, speaks with Sanford Founder and CEO, David Green on Michigan Business Beat. Sanford Addiction Treatment Centers is based in Grand Rapids and “specializes in rehabbing rehab”. The Sanford residential facilities don’t look like traditional treatment centers across Michigan. As they are typically in refurbished homes, comfortable, and gender specific. […]
Exercise and Addiction Recovery – 13 Good Reasons to Walk the Walk
UPDATED 7/21/2025 When I look back on the road to my recovery from a substance use disorder, the aphorism, “put one foot in front of the other,” has literal significance to me. I am always up for a long walk or a hike to blow out the cobwebs and get the blood flowing. I would […]
Managing Stress – Slow Down, Take Stock, Make Choices
I am sitting at my desk, typing away, and my head is pounding. The coffee I had this morning didn’t fix it. The gallon of water I am halfway to drinking hasn’t done anything. Maybe I am grinding my teeth at night? Or maybe something else is going on? My instinct? To push through. […]
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 […]
Establishing a Safe Space – Limelight Interview
When we talk about establishing a “safe space” in addiction treatment, what does it mean? There is no question that an outpatient facility should be private and secured. But Clinical Therapist, Ellen Sork, says it takes more than that. It is a combination of physical environment, allowing client groups to participate in setting the expectations, […]
“Rehabbing Rehab” – David Green in the GRBJ Interview
David Green, the Founder and CEO of Sanford Addiction Treatment Centers, is in the news again. Thanks to Grand Rapids Business Journal and Ehren Wynder for this informed interview in “Inside Track” on rehabbing rehab for substance use disorders. We feel one of the great contributions we [Sanford] can make to West Michigan is […]
Sanford and Roderic Townes are WZZM’s One Good Thing
Roderic Townes, started doing drugs when he was 12 years old. He continued until the age of 43, when he sought treatment and began working a life-long recovery program. Today, Roderic is not only clean and sober… he’s also the House Manager at Sanford House at John Street for Men. In a true full circle, […]
Drink Like a Man – The Science of Women and Alcohol
Women and Alcohol I spent a lot of time in The Bahamas, on a small island called Staniel Cay. I will admit I was not a saint while living there. The collective, benign tolerance to extreme drinking was certainly a factor in my misuse of alcohol. But I was often shocked by the drunken antics […]
Why does the Milieu Matter in Addiction Treatment?
The “milieu” is defined as a person’s social environment. One’s general surroundings. In addiction treatment, we use the term to describe the space between clinical activities (individual therapy, group therapy, psychoeducation, etc.) when clients have an opportunity to interact with one another, as well as with the staff. At Sanford Outpatient Center, this means that […]
