Synthetic Opioids – Increases in Overdose Deaths 2020
A December Health Alert from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), says overdose deaths accelerated in 2020. The largest increases were from March to May, which coincides with widespread measures taken to slow the spread of COVID-19. Approximately 81,230 drug overdose deaths occurred in the US from May 2019 to May 2020. […]
Drinking Problem? How Do I Know if I Have One?
Our Admissions Specialists regularly take calls from people on the fence about whether they have a drinking problem. The caller is often in trouble, but they don’t see it. Or don’t want to see it. We appreciate these calls because they provide a non-threatening forum to discuss addiction and the treatment options available in […]
New Year’s Resolutions? Think Resiliency in 2021!
Welcome to 2021! I wish to start the year off with some resiliency focused thoughts: You are only in control of yourself. You do not and cannot control any other person or situation. Only you are responsible for your beliefs, emotions, and actions. Resiliency in the New Year Being in control of yourself […]
Addiction Treatment Basics – 217 Recovery Podcast
Sanford Founder and President, Rae Green, JD, LPC, CAADC, sat down with 217 Recovery Podcast host, Corey Winfield last week. They talked about the addiction treatment basics. What is addiction? And what happens to the brain when a person becomes dependent upon drugs/alcohol? They also talked about the fine art of starting “the dialogue”. […]
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 […]
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 […]
