The Holiday Season is Upon Us! Recovery Plans and Tips

The 2024 Holiday Season is upon us! No matter whether and what you celebrate, the season is enjoyable and stressful. The stress comes along with the disruption of our usual day-to-day routines and the added tasks related to the celebrations of the season. Odd isnโ€™t it that the very enjoyment we crave and anticipate, one […]

The Impact of Addiction on Children Ages 10 and Older

This article is part two of a series on the impact of addiction on children. Part one (ages ten and younger) was published in July. Before reading this article, I recommend reviewing the first article by clicking the link below. In the Sanford Behavioral Health ย Family Program, we address the impact of addiction on children […]

Should Treatment for Eating Disorders Be FUN?

The recreational therapy team at Sanford Comprehensive Treatment for Eating Disorders (SCTED) is always an inspiring group to interview. They take on many roles, so you might find them running process groups, leading a light yoga session, driving a van on an excursion to a restaurant, or in a huddle with the interdisciplinary team. Whatever […]

What Real-Life Recovery Means to Me

(first published in The Sanford – internal newsletter) Years ago, when Sanford Behavioral Health was a 10-bed women’s facility, we had an alumni event. These days, we have robust alumni programs for eating disorders and addiction, but in 2017, it was the first time our clients had the opportunity to return to the place where […]

The “OTHERS” Program Al-Anon

  Al-Anon is a 12-step program that adopted the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous word-for-word, except for the 12th step, changing the word “alcoholics” to “others.” The “others” program is akin to AA but aids families and friends of those with an alcohol use disorder. In the group, they practice the 12 steps, give support […]

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, […]

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 […]

What is the One Gift Your Family Will Not Return?

The Season of Hope and Family Recovery This is the season of hope, joy, and the giving of gifts to honor that hope and joy.ย  A season of this type applies to all people who practice traditions of their culture or faith. I am the Family Program for Addiction Treatment facilitator at Sanford Behavioral Health. […]

Rae Green Interview: Embracing Body Acceptance – West MI Women

  Thank yous to West Michigan Magazine for the informed interview with Sanford Behavioral Health Founder, Rae Green. In honor of Body Acceptance Week, a new initiative from the National Eating Disorders Association, Rae gave her perspective on body acceptance as the holiday season approaches. Click the link below for the full article.   “Sanford […]

body acceptance Rae interview

Can Exercise and Healthy Eating Go Too Far?

  Today on the podcast we talk to Sanford Behavioral Health’sย  Gail Hall, LMSW, DCSW, CEDS-S about orthorexia and other eating disorders. Gail, who has been treating eating disorders for over 30 years, says exercise and healthy eating can present a problem when the individual becomes obsessed with eating clean. Also, the compulsion to exercise […]

girl running