Anatomy of Addiction Podcast – What is Recovery?
“Recovery” is a word we hear a lot in the mental health field. Recovery is what all those with mental health and substance use disorders strive for. But what is recovery? And how has the definition of recovery changed over the years? What is Recovery? Recovery is a process of change through which […]
Drug and Alcohol Recovery Achievements
The Recovery Research Institute recently looked at a representative sample of adults who reported “resolution of an alcohol or drug problem”. These adults were examined for achievements in family, life-style, and economic and community participation. The working definition of recovery is: “a process of change through which people improve their health and wellness, live […]
Substance Use Disorders Linked to Severe COVID Illness
In a recent National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) article, Dr. Nora Volkow addresses COVID-19 vaccines for those with substance use disorders (SUD). SUDs are among several health conditions the CDC identified as increasing the risk of becoming severely ill from COVID-19. NIDA analyzed health records from 73 million patients in U.S. hospitals and […]
The Best Sober Vacations to Take This Summer
Vacations are good for the body and soul, right? For those in recovery, the answer can be yes and no. The fact is vacations (even well-deserved vacations) can be stressful to folks in recovery. And when there’s a boat party on every sandbar or a history of overindulging on past vacations, a holiday can be […]
Men’s Addiction Treatment – Take the Tour
Sanford House at John Street for Men is a residential treatment facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Following the success of Sanford House at Cherry Street for Women, Founders Rae and David Green looked for a site for their men’s facility. Their goal was to create the same type of gender specific environment for men, […]
Addiction Stigma – How Person-First Language Helps
Stigma is defined as “a mark of disgrace or infamy”. Stigma in addiction comes mostly from the symptoms of a person’s behavior and other aspects of a substance use disorder. Addiction Stigma It is known that persons who are addicted to alcohol and/or drugs can behave aggressively or dishonestly with erratic behaviors and judgment which […]
Women’s Mental Health 2021 – Best of Excursions
Sleep problems, depression and anxiety are more common in women than in men according to a recent report by Frontiers in Global Women’s Health. What’s more, as isolation extended during the pandemic, women’s symptoms worsened. Perhaps not surprisingly, women also reported higher scores on a scale measuring empathy in the report. Empathy is […]
Here’s Why Women Can’t “Drink Like Men”
Women and Alcohol – Drink Like a Man I spent time in The Bahamas a few years ago. The collective, benign tolerance to extreme drinking was undoubtedly a factor in the misuse of alcohol by the locals (myself included). But even I was often shocked by the drunken antics of women at the local Yacht […]
Women’s Addiction – “Pink Flags” for Moms Who Need Wine
I met with a thirty-something therapist last week who said she was concerned about her peers and their drinking habits. The “Moms who Need Wine” crowd, Starbucks cups filled with iced KJ at the soccer games. Play dates replete with chardonnay and imported cheese. Even baby-carriage walking groups with iced wine in the cup […]
Meijer Brain Health Minute with Sanford Founder, David Green
April is National Alcohol Awareness Month. The National Council for Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) sponsors Alcohol Awareness Month each year to increase understanding of the causes and treatment of alcohol use disorders. Alcoholism is a significant public health problem in the United States. The theme this year is “Changing Attitudes: It’s not […]
