How Do I Talk To My Loved One About Their Drinking?
Updated 7/7/2025 One of the questions I get as an addiction counselor with an advice column (Ask Rae) is, “How do I talk to my partner, loved one, or friend about their drinking?” In fact, some of Sanford Behavioral Health’s most viral articles are about the subject of alcohol ruining relationships. It is one of […]
5 Summertime Tips for Long-Term Recovery
Like the line from Coleridge’s poem, water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink, summer feels like alcohol, alcohol everywhere. It seems unfair to those in long-term recovery, but summer vacation and boating equal drinking and partying for many. Additionally, Michigan summer fun is fleeting, so there is a sense of urgency. Many of the […]
Excursions in Rehab – 12-Step, Alum, GLAD & Outdoor Group Meetings
Since 2016, Sanford Behavioral Health has prioritized excursions into the community as a vital part of addiction treatment and recovery. Today, at Sanford West Behavioral Health Campus, recreational therapy, art therapy, and recovery outings provide residents with an opportunity to participate in real-life scenarios in the safety of treatment. Coupled with other evidence-based practices, excursions […]
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Eating Disorders?
The long-term effects of eating disorders can significantly impact your health and mental well-being, so seeking treatment as soon as possible is important. These conditions can negatively alter a person’s life, increasing their risk of serious medical complications and long-term mental health issues. Our team of dedicated professionals will work with you to help you […]
Glimmers – the Antidote to Triggers
I had a friend say to me this weekend, “Everything is hard.” We were talking about technology (the ever-changing virtual landscape triggers her anxiety), but it could apply to almost any subject in the year 2024. There is a reason why 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental illness. As a person in […]
Eating Disorder Admissions All-Star Team: Responsibilities and Rewards
At Sanford Comprehensive Treatment for Eating Disorders, we are proud of how we have evolved since we opened the first standalone residential treatment center for eating disorders in Michigan. Our residential program is now two years old. Over the past two-plus years, we have also developed day programs and partial day programs for eating disorders, […]
Spring Cleaning Benefits for Mental & Physical Health!
What is it about spring that makes you want to box up the tchotchkes and embrace an open concept? Nature’s abundance and renewal after the long winter spur us to transform our surroundings, clean out the garage, and cull the sock drawer. This desire to declutter may have additional benefits beyond an empty laundry basket. […]
Looking Forward to Spring Mental Health (10 Ideas to Anticipate)
I am preparing for the family egg hunt next weekend. An extravaganza that accumulates new participants each year. It means dragging bins of plastic eggs from the attic, buying candy and trinkets, and planning brunch. Looking forward to the gathering of family and friends, children running on the grass, and the inevitable sighting of the […]
Is Alcohol Ruining My Marriage?
In 2017, I wrote an article about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s divorce and the role alcohol played in their relationship’s demise. Brangelina was secondary to the theme of the article, but it has gone on to garner more than 150,000 views over the years. I have updated it many times, and it remains […]
Therapy Dog Apollonia Inspires Patients at Sanford Behavioral Health
At Sanford Behavioral Health, therapy dog Apollonia (Apol) is a celebrity of sorts. When she trots through the halls with Sanford Founder Rae Green, both patients and team members brighten. She has inspired artwork in art therapy, love letters from patients leaving treatment, and even a set of personalized note cards. Apol also holds the […]
