Family Support Group at Sanford – Making a Connection
Here are the facts about the Sanford Family Support Group: The group is for family members and friends (F&F) of clients or former clients of Sanford. It does not matter what level of care the family member has been treated in. Any F&F who has been through our 4-session Family Program or a previous […]
Establishing Healthy Boundaries in Family Recovery
In this article, we will look at how to establish healthy boundaries in family recovery. Over the past several weeks, my articles have been focused on elements behind the formation of healthy boundaries. However, establishing healthy boundaries is essential to becoming effective in working with a loved one with a substance use disorder (SUD). Healthy […]
Families and SUDs – Are You Care Taking or Care Giving?
You are a family member of someone with a substance use disorder (SUD). And that special person has finally entered treatment for their SUD. You have been following all the recommended steps for family members of folks with SUDs. You’re even feeling pretty good about things now. When suddenly, it hits you. Do I really […]
Judy Garland & the Pervasive Stigma of Addiction
Updated 1/2/25 In the movie Judy, there was a moment toward the end of the film when I thought to myself, Oh, for God’s sake – why doesn’t she get her act together? While a thousand ticket holders waited at a venue in London to hear her sing, Judy Garland was drinking in her […]
Powerful Allies in the Recovering Family
In their book, STAYING SOBER, Gorski & Miller, state, “Family members can be powerful allies in preventing relapse …” To that end, Sanford Addiction Treatment Centers offers psycho-education groups for family and friends of our clients with substance use disorders (SUDs). These groups help loved ones become powerful allies and open the door to […]
Opinion Rae Green: Funding for Opioid Crisis Not Enough
Recent headlines, including an article in Crain’s Detroit Business reported that Michigan will receive about $35 million in new federal funding this year through the State Opioid Response Grant. Funding is being provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to “track opioid deaths and […]
Control Your Controlling Behavior! Family Recovery …
When most of us think of controlling behaviors or people who are controlling, we think of people who bully others. Folks who yell commands, behave in an overbearing manner or are just plain rude. We think of the obvious behaviors that catch our attention. In this article we focus on controlling behaviors that are […]
Medication-Assisted Treatment – Busting the Myths
When managing addiction, many people fear the judgement of others for their choices about treatment decisions. There are multiple ways to approach recovery. And medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a viable and appropriate choice for some. You and your treatment team will decide which course of action is best for you. When talking with others you […]
When Loved Ones Enable Addictive Disease
In the world of addiction, to “enable” means to assist the progression of the disease by interfering with the natural consequences of addictive behaviors. As you are reading this, you’re probably thinking, “Why would anyone enable addictive disease? Make the situation worse?” Unfortunately, and often very unintentionally, family members dealing with addictive behaviors, do just […]
Shame – Being VS Doing Something Wrong …
I struggle to facilitate conversations about shame. And I’m transparent about that with my clients. This is for a few reasons: shame is difficult to conceptualize. Unlike “coping skills” or “aftercare planning,” shame is nebulous. Open for discourse. Dependent on our unique perspectives and past experiences. Additionally, I’ve yet to master managing shame in my […]
