The Motivation of Rock Bottom in Recovery
Rock bottom is a phrase that I have heard a lot since finding sobriety. And I realize that the term “rock bottom” is subjective. I originally thought rock bottom was an event that would define a singular course of action for me to recover from my addiction. In fact, my first rock bottom happened on […]
Preventing Addiction – Responsible Use, Misuse, Dependence
Is preventing addiction possible? My office looks out on a residential treatment center parking lot. So I am privy to the expressions on the faces of people as they arrive for their first day in rehab – arguably what will be both the worst and best day of their lives. To a person, they look […]
Sanford and Roderic Townes are WZZM’s One Good Thing
Roderic Townes, started doing drugs when he was 12 years old. He continued until the age of 43, when he sought treatment and began working a life-long recovery program. Today, Roderic is not only clean and sober… he’s also the House Manager at Sanford House at John Street for Men. In a true full circle, […]
Drink Like a Man – The Science of Women and Alcohol
Women and Alcohol I spent a lot of time in The Bahamas, on a small island called Staniel Cay. I will admit I was not a saint while living there. The collective, benign tolerance to extreme drinking was certainly a factor in my misuse of alcohol. But I was often shocked by the drunken antics […]
Relapse! Does Addiction Treatment Work?
Family members in the Sanford Family Program often ask, “Why is there so much relapse with addiction?” Right along with the first question, I hear, “My loved one went to treatment and we all participated in the programs. Why did this relapse happen? Doesn’t treatment work?” Relapse! Does Addiction Treatment Work? The truth of […]
Addiction and Navigating the Holidays – eightWest Interview
Sanford Founder, Rae Green, sat down with eightWest host, Terri DeBoer, to talk about all things addiction, recovery and the holidays. Rae offered tips to welcome (not dread) the upcoming festivities, while maintaining recovery. Tips include establishing sober boundaries and planning ahead. What is the most wonderful time of the year for most people […]
Unique Option for Treating Addiction – Eight West Interview
We had an interesting visitor at Sanford House at Cherry Street for Women. Wood TV, Eight West host, Rachael Ruiz, joined Sanford Founder, Rae Green, for a tour and conversation. They talked about the prevalence of addiction in Michigan. And discussed Sanford’s unique take on treatment. Providing evidence-based therapy in a homelike setting – and […]
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 […]
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 […]
Angry & DUI – Should I Call the Police?
If you live with someone who drinks or drugs too much, the following scenario should be familiar. The argument begins (as it always does) about mid-way between sobriety and your loved one’s peak inebriation and ends in DUI. It may start because of a missed milestone or unbecoming behavior in public. It may erupt […]
