Sanford Founder Rae Green & WZZM13: Talking to Teens About Marihuana
Michigan is the 10th state to legalize recreational marihauna for adults over the age of 21. And yes, Michigan spells it “marihauna” – harkening back to the Marihauna Tax Act of 1937 for its chosen spelling. But an English lesson is not what our children need on the subject of marihauna, no matter […]
The Wood TV Interview – Sanford Outpatient Center
Thanks to Wood TV and Emily Linnert for this fabulous piece on Sanford Outpatient Center. Our newest facility is located in Suite #101 of the landmark, Grand Rapids Masonic Temple. Serving those with substance use disorders (SUDs) in another lovingly restored historic space. Wood TV Interview – Sanford Outpatient Center
What Does it Mean to Fail? Open Up to Imperfection!
Confronting the “F” word in early recovery… In addition to my clinical work, I also do freelance gigs in the community. Over the weekend, I had one such engagement. For whatever reason, I wasn’t quite myself that night. Walking into the workshop, I felt uneasy – dread creeping in. You see, I have a […]
Anthony Bourdain: Shining a Light on Suicide, Addiction and Depression
The deaths by suicide of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade last week, brought mental health and suicide to the forefront. Perhaps that is the only positive that can be gleaned from the tragic and avoidable loss of such robust, talented people. When Celebrity Shines a Light… In the celebrity magazine Us Weekly, there […]
The Gift of Desperation in Addiction Recovery
You feel utterly weird when you first quit drinking. I certainly did. I felt like a sober alien who had been beamed down onto a boozy planet. Like a foreigner in my own life, completely out of context and uncomfortable to say the least. It’s a rough transition… I’d go to social gatherings […]
Enabling VS Empathy – It’s a Fine Line – Interacting With Addiction
Even if you aren’t familiar with addiction treatment, you’ve probably heard the term “enabler”. Enabling describes how loved ones interact with a person with a substance use disorder (SUD). And although many of us have heard the word, few of us know what it actually means. Enabling behavior is anything that supports an addict’s […]
Early Recovery – Strategies to Push Fast Forward
Early recovery … … is hard as hell. Anyone who says otherwise is lying. It takes guts, commitment, and bravery to remove alcohol from your life and relearn how to live as a sober person. It does get much easier the more time that goes on not drinking… But there’s no getting away […]
Dysfunctional Drinking – Am I Being the Fun Police?
I was scrolling through Instagram a couple of days ago when I saw a photo that a local celebrity had posted. It was of a takeaway cup filled with wine and the caption read: “Sneaking a light beverage into the school prize giving tonight.” The photo was liked by over 2,000 people […]
Boredom and Isolation in Recovery…
Yesterday afternoon at about 4pm I sat at the kitchen bench and stared off into space. I felt bored and restless. I would have rather been somewhere else. Working at an office in town maybe. Or out doing something – anything – stimulating and interesting. But because I’m a stay-at-home mum who works part-time […]
Why Did You Choose Alcohol and/or Drugs Over Me?
It’s seven o’clock and the school play is starting. Or it’s your birthday dinner with all the relatives. You could be sitting awkwardly with your boss at an introductory lunch, or waiting at the agreed upon spot for a morning walk. Whatever the commitment, you are looking at your watch with your heart in […]
