Family Recovery – Holiday Survival Guide 2020
Here we are, holidays 2020, and living through our second COVID-19 surge. Things are battening down again, and it remains challenging to find safe connection with others in recovery. But there is no closing down for addictive disease progression. And there is no closure for the angst experienced by family members who love a person […]
Sheltering at Home with a Substance Misusing Loved One?
So, all these weeks of staying at home have answered those nagging questions in the back of your mind about a loved one’s behavior changes. Your spouse, significant other, child, friend has been misusing a substance of some sort and likely has a substance use disorder (SUD). Substance Misusing Loved One … Everyone […]
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 […]
Rehab Facility Transforms Men in Gr – Wood TV Interview
Thanks to Wood TV 8 and Reporter Donovan Long for this great interview. Mr.Long featured Sanford House at John Street for Men about restoring lives and Heritage Hill real estate. He spoke with Sanford Founder, Rae Green, about the disease of addiction and how Sanford is chipping away at the stigma associated with substance use […]
Unique Option for Treating Addiction – Eight West Interview
We had an interesting visitor at Sanford House at Cherry Street for Women. Wood TV, Eight West host, Rachael Ruiz, joined Sanford Founder, Rae Green, for a tour and conversation. They talked about the prevalence of addiction in Michigan. And discussed Sanford’s unique take on treatment. Providing evidence-based therapy in a homelike setting – and […]
Judy Garland & the Pervasive Stigma of Addiction
I went to see the movie Judy recently. There was a moment toward the end of the film when I thought to myself, Oh for God’s sake – why doesn’t she just get her act together? While a thousand ticket holders waited at a venue in London to hear her sing, Judy Garland was drinking […]
Warning – Bariatric Surgery Can Lead to Alcohol Addiction
There are times on the road to wellness, when the only thing one can say is, “No fair.” I remember thinking no fair when six months sober, a long dormant eating disorder popped up like the head of a Hydra. Just when I had my alcohol use disorder (AUD) licked, another trial presented itself. […]
Who is The Highly Sensitive Addict?
One of the wonderful things about working (and playing) with fellow mental health professionals is that I’m constantly learning. Recently, I was introduced to the Highly Sensitive People theory (or “HSP,” or “sensory processing sensitivity”). Have you ever heard of Elaine Aron? I think you’re highly sensitive. It might help explain some things […]
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. […]
The Visual Language of Art Therapy…
I have the pleasure and privilege of bringing creative expression to Sanford House as the Art Therapist on staff. Sanford House contacted me after I had relocated to Grand Rapids following my master’s training in Milwaukee. At the time, I had been gracefully masterfully desperately attempting to connect with any and every counseling center […]
