Powerful Allies in Recovery – Educating the Family About Addiction
Why is it important to include family in recovery? At Sanford, we believe family involvement is one of the most important components for a healthy, long term recovery. Family members can be powerful allies in the recovery process. And while a person is in treatment, it is the perfect time to involve family members. […]
Sanford’s Top Self-Care Picks (Holidays are stressful)
Sanford House Art Therapist, Jess Kimmel gives us her top picks for finding some peace and quiet this holiday season…. Jess says, “Amidst the chaos of the holiday season, unwind with three of my favorite Sanford House posts about recharging and refocusing…Written when the weather was much less blustery, I hope Paul Silva’s “Getting Self-Esteem,” […]
Mummies’ Night Out – Booze Soaked World
I went out with a bunch of girlfriends last night. A big group of us mummies hitting the town for dinner and a comedy show. Pretty unusual for me to be out and about in town – let alone on a Wednesday night! – but yes it definitely happened. Walking through town I […]
Crying in Rehab – The Emotional Thaw
It’s springtime in Michigan. Early yet – the trees are budding, but there is still snow on the ground in places where the sun doesn’t reach. We all tiptoe around, hoping it isn’t a false spring, but knowing there will probably be at least one more “surprise” snow storm between the Ides of March and […]
Secrets and Truth – Writing it Down in a Recovery Journal
Remember when you were twelve and kept a Dear Diary with a little gold lock and key? Remember the feeling of daring and hesitation when you wrote exactly how you felt about the boy who sat before you in science class or how mad you were at your best friend? Writing a journal in […]
50 Things I Love About Sobriety (Don’t Even Get Me Started…)
Yes, I love just about everything associated with sobriety (even though, being a grownup can be a little difficult at times…). Let me count the ways. I love: The mornings My hair, nails and skin Having a memory Not being afraid or regretful of what I remember… The free time No bags under my […]
Screening and Assessment in Addiction Treatment
There are two familiar terms in the addiction treatment field – “screening” and “assessment”. But do most people seeking treatment know the differences between these two processes? Or why screening and assessment are so important to the diagnosis and development of specific treatment recommendations? Screening, and assessment can also enhance positive recovery outcomes. […]
Sober Sex Part Two: Who is this Stranger in My Bed?
When I look back at the two men I dated in the lacuna after my divorce and before I quit drinking, I actually have trouble imagining I was a participant. The choices I made in romantic partners, seemed to be based on how different they were from my ex-husband and how bad they were for me. […]
Singing the Praises of the Adult Art Therapy Coloring Book
I am an art therapist. When I tell people about what I do, I get a lot of: “What the heck is that?” “Like on Law & Order?” “Oh, how New Age!” (Answers to those questions later). Art Therapy… We art therapists are a small community, and our work is often either unseen […]
Eating Disorders – The Mean Girls of Addiction
After more than two years of sobriety, I still find myself qualifying my addiction. I’ll read someone’s biography and think to myself, “God, at least I didn’t drink my perfume.” As if guzzling the Chanel Number 5 is somehow worse than plucking a dead fly out of a glass of Chardonnay and taking a […]
