Binge Drinking & Hangovers – Changing the New Year’s Norms

It is almost the new year, and folks around the globe are feeling the need to mark the occasion with parties, family gatherings, fireworks, and drone displays. It seems important to celebrate the milestone and enter the new year with a bang. In fact, drinking is socially sanctioned and normalized, and it is even expected […]

Benefits of a Therapy Dog in Mental Health Treatment

At Sanford Behavioral Health, we are doing a series of 12 articles on hope for the holidays and beyond. A series on hope would not be complete without talking about the benefits of a therapy dog in mental health treatment. We especially want to sing the praises of our therapy dog, Apollonia. Apol is an […]

A Few of Our Favorite Things to Maintain Recovery

Mocktails at parties and awe walks on beaches, family dinners where nobody preaches, 12-step meetings when traveling – these are a few of our favorite things. (Sung to the tune of My Favorite Things with apologies to Rodgers and Hammerstein.) We are in the thick of Spirit Week at Sanford Behavioral Health, and we have […]

Holidays in Rehab – The Best Gift

It’s the holidays—the time for pageants at church and school, traditions, office parties, and family responsibilities. At Sanford Behavioral Health (Sanford), we understand that those with substance use disorders, eating disorders, and mental health conditions try to find reasons to put off getting treatment. Of course, the holidays present the ultimate excuse, no matter whether […]

Hopeful Resolutions – How to Make Behavioral Change Stick in 2024

In less than two weeks, it will be 2024. In your social circles, the “buzz” is probably already about New Year’s hopeful resolutions. Have you made any? According to the Statista Global Consumer Survey, the top resolutions for the coming year are to exercise more, eat healthier, and lose weight. The resolution to deal with […]

The Power of Personal Experience – 7 Memoirs to Inspire Recovery

  There is power in personal experience, especially in the recovery community. Group therapy is an essential part of mental health treatment at Sanford Behavioral Health because we are drawn to those who share a similar history.  Knowing that someone else was once in your shoes (and is now on the other side) relieves the […]

12 Days of Holiday Hope – Rod Townes’ Recovery Journey

At Sanford Behavioral Health, our work saves lives and brings hope to individuals and families all year round. During the holiday season, we strive to create an atmosphere of excitement and celebration for all our clients and team members. This year, we are showcasing recovery stories, treatment breakthroughs, and the beauty of diversity over 12 […]

The Sober Holidays Q&A

If you or a loved one are experiencing your first sober holiday season, you might worry unnecessarily about saying “no thank you” in the “yes please” season. We want to put your concerns to rest by answering some of the questions you are probably asking yourself. One of the difficulties of recovery is saying no […]

The Double Stigma of Men and Eating Disorders

According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), 6.6 million males in the U.S. will be affected by an eating disorder at some point in their lives. Like their female counterparts, men and boys across all demographics and cultures are affected by eating disorders. However, males diagnosed with eating disorders have a double stigma to […]

Dear Rae: Will the Holidays Derail My Sobriety?

Dear Rae: I am 92 days drug and alcohol-free. How do I manage my recovery during the upcoming holiday season? There are so many temptations!  Emily B. Dear Emily: First, congratulations on 92 days. Three months in recovery brings many benefits, including a positive impact on your major organs, including liver regeneration. During this time, […]