Do You Know How Active Addiction Feels?
As an adult, in a family with a member who has an active addiction, it is likely you are having feelings and thoughts reported by many other family members who deal with addiction in their midst. You feel hurt, anger, frustration, self-doubt, confusion, anxiety, fear, sadness, and hopelessness. You might also believe you have tried […]
Relapse! Does Addiction Treatment Work?
Family members in the Sanford Family Program often ask, “Why is there so much relapse with addiction?” Right along with the first question, I hear, “My loved one went to treatment and we all participated in the programs. Why did this relapse happen? Doesn’t treatment work?” Relapse! Does Addiction Treatment Work? The truth of […]
Establishing Healthy Boundaries in Family Recovery
In this article, we will look at how to establish healthy boundaries in family recovery. Over the past several weeks, my articles have been focused on elements behind the formation of healthy boundaries. However, establishing healthy boundaries is essential to becoming effective in working with a loved one with a substance use disorder (SUD). Healthy […]
Families and SUDs – Are You Care Taking or Care Giving?
You are a family member of someone with a substance use disorder (SUD). And that special person has finally entered treatment for their SUD. You have been following all the recommended steps for family members of folks with SUDs. You’re even feeling pretty good about things now. When suddenly, it hits you. Do I really […]
Powerful Allies in the Recovering Family
In their book, STAYING SOBER, Gorski & Miller, state, “Family members can be powerful allies in preventing relapse …” To that end, Sanford Addiction Treatment Centers offers psycho-education groups for family and friends of our clients with substance use disorders (SUDs). These groups help loved ones become powerful allies and open the door to […]
Rae Green & Sanford are the Talk of the Town (WOOD Radio)
Sanford Addiction Treatment Centers Founder, Rae Green, talks to Phil Tower of Wood Radio about the “misconceptions” of addiction and addiction treatment. Rae also talks about Sanford’s approach to Real Life Recovery and how family plays a big role in long-term positive outcomes. Phil Tower: Talk about Sanford – why are you different […]
The Legacy of Inter-Generational Addiction and Recovery
I was re-reading my last article on controlling behaviors, and thoughts about the inter-generational aspects of addiction kept coming to mind. Because so many people raised in families where there is addiction present, grow into adulthood and connect with people who have substance use disorders (SUDs). Inter-Generational Addiction and Recovery According to the National […]
Family Member Recovery – Reactions and Responses
In my article, When Loved Ones Enable Addictive Disease,I discussed the idea of family member recovery and battling a person vs. the disease of addiction. I said, “When we battle an addictive disease process, we engage in purposeful and strategic behaviors to disrupt the process of the addictive disease progression.” Referring to family member […]
Dear Rae: Is My 15-Year Old Using Alcohol & Drugs?
Dear Rae: My teenage son has begun to worry my husband and me. He is sullen and non-communicative – which is very new behavior in our house. We are a close family and he is our only child. In the past, John was open about school, friends and outside activities. But recently, he has been […]
Addiction Treatment Alphabet Soup – What Do All Those Letters MEAN?
I remember using acronyms in grade school to help me recall items for upcoming quizzes and tests. One of my favorites was “HOMES”, the names of the Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior. When I got to college, I still made up acronyms to help me study and memorize for tests. While […]
