Avoiding Addiction Treatment – The Back-to-School Excuse
The admissions specialists at Sanford Behavioral Health have heard every excuse in the book for avoiding addiction treatment. A person calls for information about Sanford’s programs, but “for future reference because it is not a convenient time.” During the holidays, there are mandatory work or family get-togethers. School is letting out in spring, or there […]
Eating Disorders Summer Reading – Best of Excursions
One of the joys of summer (after a walk in the woods or a paddle in the pool) is to settle in with a cold glass of lemonade and a good book. For those in recovery from eating disorders, reading can be a distraction, an escape, and even an anxiety reliever. Reading a good […]
10 Components of a Recovery-Friendly Home
The family programs at Sanford Behavioral Health were created to include our clients’ loved ones during treatment and beyond. The Family Program provides education and support about the disease of addiction, recovery, and how to create a recovery-friendly home. Family involvement is one of the essential components of a healthy long-term recovery. Because of this, […]
Do I Have Binge Eating Disorder? Signs, Symptoms & Treatment
Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in the U.S., affecting about 3% of the population at some time in their lives. Of people with eating disorders, 47% have binge eating disorder. BED is characterized by recurrent binge eating without compensatory measures to counteract the binge, such as purging, laxative overuse, and […]
Summer Holidays – Tips for Recovering Families
The 4th of July is upon us – the apex of the summer holidays. And although we love the sun and water fun, we understand that families managing substance use disorders can experience heightened anxiety levels during this time. The sound of fireworks can trigger those with PTSD and anxiety. The coolers stocked with cold […]
Walking for Lasting Addiction Recovery
A doctor friend of mine has an adage that applies to recovery from physical injury but also relates to addiction recovery. He says, “Use it or lose it.” In other words, moving your body, even on a slow walk, is good for what ails you. But do you know how good? Or that walking provides […]
6 Ways Michigan Summer Improves Mental Health & Recovery
Michigan Summer It’s Memorial Day weekend, and it finally feels like Michigan summertime has begun. Green is the color of life, nature, renewal, and energy. The color green is also associated with fertility, growth, and harmony. Blue stands for serenity, stability, inspiration, wisdom, and health. So, what better place to explore than Pure Michigan […]
Loneliness, Isolation a Mental Health Hazard – U.S. Surgeon General
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has released an advisory calling attention to the public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection. It says loneliness fundamentally affects mental, physical, and societal health. The subject is personal to Dr. Murthy, who wrote the bestseller Together: The […]
Myth Busting – Non-Drinkers Are Not BORING
On a recent long road trip, I listened to the podcast Smartless for 17 hours. This was my only entertainment other than noting the decor in rest area bathrooms and the displays in roadside gas stations (which morphed from Slim Jim and antifreeze to oranges and baby alligator heads). Smartless is hosted by Jason […]
10 Recovery Slogans – Why They Work
Much of my writing is intense (e.g., Family Guide to Understanding Relapse). So, I’m ready to try something a little lighter yet equally informative. For example, a part of the recovery dialogue revealed to me over the years is the use of slogans in recovery. At first, I thought they were silly. I couldn’t […]
