The Rise in Kratom Addiction (an RN’s Perspective)
The Sanford Behavioral Health (Sanford) nursing team (of which I am a part) all had concerned looks on their faces. It was early Monday morning, and the unit was quiet. “Just make sure you don’t say the ‘q’ word,” admonished one of the therapists as he walked by the nurse’s station. Then, just as the […]
Addiction Treatment – Social Model or Medical Model?
Treatment for substance use disorders (addiction or SUD) comes in many forms. The”best fit” may vary significantly depending on an individual’s background, history of use, medical comorbidities, support system, and other factors. Two specific models of addiction treatment are often discussed—the medical model of addiction treatment and the social model of addiction treatment. The […]
Overnight Admissions Calls: A CEO’s Wild Ride
As the CEO of a behavioral health company, I never thought I’d be taking overnight admissions calls again, but it has been awesome! We created 24/7 EZ Admissions because nighttime or weekends can present an opportunity for an individual to seek help that they may talk themselves out of during the daytime or workweek. When […]
The Consequences of High-Intensity Drinking
In an old Ella Fitzgerald song that has stood the test of time, she sings, “You say either, I say either. You say neither, and I say neither. Either, either, neither, neither, let’s call the whole thing off!” It springs to mind when we talk about a new category of alcohol consumption called “high-intensity” drinking. […]
Michigan Fentanyl Seizure and Overdose Update
Last week, the Grand Rapids Police Department seized 500 grams of fentanyl from an apartment complex in Grandville, Michigan. GRPD Deputy Chief Maycroft said it was enough fentanyl to “kill the entire population of Grand Rapids and Grandville combined.” Fentanyl is an FDA-approved rapid-acting synthetic opioid that alleviates pain. However, fentanyl also depresses the central […]
A New Record in Super Bowl Monday Absenteeism? It’s a Hangover Thing
Are you going to a party for the big game? UKG’s longtime Super Bowl survey finds that an expected 22.6 million American workers will miss work on Monday, a record number compared to the previous record 18.8 million who missed work in 2023. Interestingly, that game also featured the Philadelphia Eagles vs. the Kansas City […]
How’s Your Mental Health Today?
If you are feeling alone with your mental health struggles, read the quote below from Mental Health America’s 2024 Report. Nearly 60 million adults experienced a mental illness in the past year, and only half of them will receive treatment. The good news? The report advocates for upstream prevention and early intervention, which is exactly […]
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 […]
Chronic Pain and Mental Health – the Disparity in Care
In a new study published in the journal PAIN, researchers determined that those who live with pain are less likely to get help for mental health conditions, something that has been defined in previous studies. They also found that those living with chronic pain have a much higher prevalence of anxiety or depression than their […]
12 Hopeful Ideas to Improve Your Mental Health 2024
During the holidays and beyond, we posted 12 articles with hopeful ideas to improve your mental health. We are heading into February with 2024 firmly under our belts. It seems like a good time to recap those 12 ideas while we still feel the newness of the New Year (and while our resolutions are […]
