Remembering Early Recovery in an Empty House
I had what will probably be a once in a lifetime experience this summer. Sanford House at Cherry Street for Women in Grand Rapids, Michigan was closed for a short time for restoration. This is something that happens rarely in the 24/7 world of residential addiction treatment. The 170-year-old floors were restored, and everything […]
Ongoing Recovery Support for Family & Friends!
Sanford’s Family Education Program has just completed its first year of virtual service to the family and friends of our clients! Ongoing Recovery Support – A Look Back… At Sanford Addiction Treatment Centers, we have always acknowledged the significant role family and friends can play in the treatment of and recovery from addiction. Family […]
Alcohol and Divorce – Is Drinking Ruining the Marriage?
Updated 1/2/25 In an old song recorded in the 50s, Frank Sinatra sings, “Love and marriage, love and marriage. Go together like a horse and carriage. This I tell you, brother, you can’t have one without the other.” True indeed. But a less lyrical hypothesis is also true; alcohol and divorce go together like a […]
The Wellbeing Trifecta: Sleep, Social Interaction and Exercise
I’ve been watching Philip K. Dick’s, Electric Dreams on Amazon. Based on his science fiction short stories, Season 1 is a star-studded dystopian watch-athon. The marketing blurb says, “…the anthology will question what it means to be human in uniquely ambitious, grounded, yet fantastical worlds.” Which seems to me like a marketing blurb for […]
Older Adults’ Addiction Treatment – Rae Green at U of M
It was my pleasure to speak to the School of Social Work at the University of Michigan last week. The topic was “Alcohol and Other Substance Use Treatment and Monitoring” for a class addressing “Interpersonal Practice with Older Adults”. Higher education continues via zoom during the pandemic. And I can say that I have […]
Working from Home – A Mental Health Battlefield
It’s almost always an uncomfortable experience to be at the whim of something out of our control. It leaves us feeling vulnerable, hopeful, and stressed all at once. Like most others, I had anticipated this COVID-19 situation would last a few months, maybe more. As we approach the year-mark since the first few cases […]
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (for Recovery)?
The holidays present a slew of stressors, especially this year. They include financial pressure, over-commitment, and the expectations of a “perfect” memory-making scenario (while keeping everyone safe). For individuals new to recovery, the holidays may also present a surplus of triggers. Celebration of any kind, be it a birthday, promotion, or end of the […]
Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care – Limelight Interview
A recovery-oriented system of care (ROSC) is an infrastructure with the resources to address the full range of substance use problems within communities. The ROSC provides a continuum of care, working together with mental health and primary care resources. This includes prevention, early intervention, various treatment programs, continuing care, and long-term recovery. Recovery-Oriented […]
Holidays Past & Time-Honored Tips – Best of Excursions
We’ve all made it through a pared down Thanksgiving 2020. And we’re on to December’s festivities. One good thing about the holidays this year, is that we are dealing with smaller, more intimate groups. For those in recovery, new or long-term, it takes the worry out of attending a large gathering. Or having to “explain” […]
Dear Rae: What to Do When He Abuses Alcohol?
Dear Rae: He drinks way more than I thought! I am embarrassed to say I met a guy 3 years ago online and I fell in love. Yes, he drank, but I was not aware of the degree. Trust is an issue with me, but I tried to be open. We married 2 years ago, […]
