What “Safe Spaces” Means in Mental Health Treatment for Veterans & First Responders
The phrase “safe spaces” seems overused and perhaps even triggering in mental health treatment for Veterans and first responders. After all, if you are dealing with trauma, depression, or other mental health diagnoses, there are no safe spaces. As someone in recovery and a Resident Support Specialist at J.O.H.N. (Just One Hero Needed), I’d like […]
After the Watch Podcast: Real Conversations on Mental Health for Veterans and First Responders
We are excited to introduce our new podcast, After the Watch, for Veterans and first responders. Here, we can be open and honest about the realities of the job as we discuss leadership culture, trauma, PTSD, substance use, and mental health. We have created the podcast to provide a safe space to break down the […]
Someone Who Listens: Inside the Role of a Resident Support Specialist
The Resident Support Specialist (RSS) at Sanford Behavioral Health supports clients and assists with day-to-day operations. It’s an important role, because the RSS is also responsible for creating a community and ensuring that everyone in treatment feels welcome and safe. The RSS has a long list of responsibilities, including safety checks and inspiring participation in […]
Whack-a-Mole-Recovery and the Behavioral Health Campus
I’ve never liked the carnival game Whack-a-Mole. Bashing heads with a cartoon hammer while an endless succession of new rodents appear. It is too stressful and unpredictable. However, I can relate to the use of the term whack-a-mole recovery. Years ago, I pounded down a substance use disorder (SUD) that had taken over my life, […]
Recovery Stories: Breaking Up with Addiction
Addiction is like being in an abusive relationship with yourself. And, like all toxic love affairs, after years of pain, guilt, secrecy, and deception, the chickens eventually come home to roost. When we finally decide to face those demons, it can seem like an insurmountable task – a mountain too high to climb alone. […]
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 […]
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 […]
9 Tips for Recovering Families – Letting Go this Summer
As the 4th of July weekend comes to an end, many of us look forward to enjoying the summer holidays with sun, water fun, and gatherings with loved ones. However, it’s essential to be mindful of the unique challenges that recovering families managing substance use disorders may face during this time. The festivities, which often […]
The “Big Game” Hangover. Have You Heard of Super Bowl Monday?
According to a yearly study by the Workforce Institute, nearly 26 million Americans will be late or miss work on Super Bowl Monday this year. Not surprisingly, the top reasons for planned absenteeism are fatigue, nausea, and hangovers. In years past, 34 percent of individuals over 21 stated that drinking too much during the […]
Afraid to Go Home? The Safety of Sanford Supportive Living
At Sanford Behavioral Health, a recovery-friendly home is essential to the treatment process. Because of this, our family and friends support groups provide education and continuing help for the loved ones of our substance use and eating disorders clients. Forewarned is forearmed, and in our family programs, we anticipate the pitfalls and milestones of recovery […]
