Hangovers, Sober Mum and Cupcakes – the Best of the Sanford Blog…
In case you didn’t see them, these are the three most popular articles we have posted on the Sanford House Blog in the past three months: Hangovers: Why Doesn’t the Morning After Deter the Night Before? May 3, 2016 by Marilyn Spiller My favorite part about being sober is the morning. Especially […]
What is Recovery? We Asked the Experts – Women in Rehab.
There is no “correct” answer to the question, “What is recovery?”. In fact, the definition of addiction recovery is so subjective, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) uses 10 Guiding Principles of Recovery and a “working definition”. It reminds me of the pirate Barbossa, in The Pirates of the Caribbean. When […]
Mummies’ Night Out – Booze Soaked World
I went out with a bunch of girlfriends last night. A big group of us mummies hitting the town for dinner and a comedy show. Pretty unusual for me to be out and about in town – let alone on a Wednesday night! – but yes it definitely happened. Walking through town I […]
Therapy Dog Santino’s Official Portrait Unveiling
At the unveiling of Sanford therapy dog, Santino’s, official portrait, Founder David Green gave the following presentation: “It is a great honor for me to be officiating at the unveiling of the official portrait of Santino Green, to be known henceforth as the “Lord Santino Portrait”. Santino, while still a young man, has […]
Crying in Rehab – The Emotional Thaw
It’s springtime in Michigan. Early yet – the trees are budding, but there is still snow on the ground in places where the sun doesn’t reach. We all tiptoe around, hoping it isn’t a false spring, but knowing there will probably be at least one more “surprise” snow storm between the Ides of March and […]
Secrets and Truth – Writing it Down in a Recovery Journal
Remember when you were twelve and kept a Dear Diary with a little gold lock and key? Remember the feeling of daring and hesitation when you wrote exactly how you felt about the boy who sat before you in science class or how mad you were at your best friend? Writing a journal in […]
50 Things I Love About Sobriety (Don’t Even Get Me Started…)
Yes, I love just about everything associated with sobriety (even though, being a grownup can be a little difficult at times…). Let me count the ways. I love: The mornings My hair, nails and skin Having a memory Not being afraid or regretful of what I remember… The free time No bags under my […]
Singing the Praises of the Adult Art Therapy Coloring Book
I am an art therapist. When I tell people about what I do, I get a lot of: “What the heck is that?” “Like on Law & Order?” “Oh, how New Age!” (Answers to those questions later). Art Therapy… We art therapists are a small community, and our work is often either unseen […]
Eating Disorders – The Mean Girls of Addiction
After more than two years of sobriety, I still find myself qualifying my addiction. I’ll read someone’s biography and think to myself, “God, at least I didn’t drink my perfume.” As if guzzling the Chanel Number 5 is somehow worse than plucking a dead fly out of a glass of Chardonnay and taking a […]
