Excuses? Our Admissions Team Has Heard Them All

It’s that time of year when families gather. Pageants at spiritual centers and schools and an array of events herald holidays and the coming of the new year. The admissions specialists at Sanford Behavioral Health have probably heard every excuse for putting off the inevitable treatment for addiction, especially this time of year. We have […]

Hope for Creating Personal Boundaries in the Addicted Home

Recently, Sanford Behavioral Health Founder Rae Green and I presented an educational in-service for the Mental Health Association of Michigan. Our focus was on boundaries (personal or external) for recovering families. After the presentation, I began thinking deeply about boundaries and recovery. I became even stronger in my belief that families dealing with addiction have […]

Dopamine Rush – 27 Things to Do Instead of Scroll

These days, there are studies, marketing campaigns, and warnings about excessive scrolling on smartphones, but many of us reach for our phones the moment our eyes open in the morning or a beep tells us we have a message. Grabbing the phone can be practical, such as checking the schedule, weather, and time. However, according […]

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?

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 anxious about holiday […]

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 isnโ€™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

Itโ€™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 […]