Mindfulness in Recovery – I’m a Believer!
Mindfulness seems to be “the latest and the greatest” self-help tool in the mental health toolbox. I am reminded of my past take on exercise and physical health. When both concepts, exercise and mindfulness, were first introduced as recovery tools, I was skeptical! Now, I’m a huge believer in the strength of both these […]
Who Do You Trust? Rebuilding Connection in Family Recovery
Our last articles focused on the dynamics impacting early recovery for the family. I thought this might be a good time to look at the role of trust and the impact of mistrust in the family recovery process. When a family loses trust, the sense of connection as a family is also lost. And for […]
Family Addiction Education – It Takes a Lifetime!
We ended our last article with a comment on learning. We said, “The more you learn, the more you want to know and understand.” That’s a great lead into our next element of discussion for your recovery plan – family education. The requirements for family recovery all go together. They include EDUCATION, SUPPORT and […]
Self-Care and Support: The Family Recovery Plan
In a recent article, we looked at the Dynamics Impacting Families in early recovery. In this article, we will look at what these dynamics mean to your recovery plan. We will address the family’s “stages of change” and focus on the “preparation” and “action” stages. Self-Care and Support Simply stated, we will focus […]
Dynamics of Early Recovery – Family Education Series
“Ahh, finally they agreed to some treatment. What a relief! We’re finally going to end this chaos and disruption our family has been living through…” Not so fast, my friends. Yes, treatment works and opens the path to recovery for those with substance use disorders (SUD) by establishing a foundation, or plan, to follow. […]
Ongoing Recovery Support for Family & Friends!
Sanford’s Family Education Program has just completed its first year of virtual service to the family and friends of our clients! Ongoing Recovery Support – A Look Back… At Sanford Addiction Treatment Centers, we have always acknowledged the significant role family and friends can play in the treatment of and recovery from addiction. Family […]
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 […]
New Year’s Resolutions? Think Resiliency in 2021!
Welcome to 2021! I wish to start the year off with some resiliency focused thoughts: You are only in control of yourself. You do not and cannot control any other person or situation. Only you are responsible for your beliefs, emotions, and actions. Resiliency in the New Year Being in control of yourself […]
Principles of Resilience in Recovery 2020
COVID-19 has brought significant upheaval and challenges to millions of families in our country and throughout the rest of the world. In your life situation, as you are reading this article, it’s likely that on top of COVID-19, you have a special person in your life with a substance use disorder. Or you are […]
Holidays Past & Time-Honored Tips – Best of Excursions
We’ve all made it through a pared down Thanksgiving 2020. And we’re on to December’s festivities. One good thing about the holidays this year, is that we are dealing with smaller, more intimate groups. For those in recovery, new or long-term, it takes the worry out of attending a large gathering. Or having to “explain” […]
