Excursions in rehab provide an opportunity to experience 12-step meetings that may enhance long-term recovery. Since 2016, Sanford Behavioral Health has prioritized excursions into the community as a vital part of addiction treatment and recovery. Today, at Sanford West Behavioral Health Campus, recreational therapy, art therapy, and recovery outings provide residents with an opportunity to participate in real-life scenarios in the safety of treatment. Coupled with other evidence-based practices, excursions create a well-rounded experience in rehab. Long-dormant social interaction, learning ..read more

Alcohol awareness month is an opportunity to increase your knowledge about all things alcohol and alcohol use disorders. April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and we have searched Excursions Magazine for interesting articles on alcohol. Over the years, we have interviewed people in recovery from alcohol addiction, posted current stats, and analyzed the reasons alcohol is normalized in social activities. We have opined on hangovers, detox, the joys of sober vacations, 12-step methodology, Superbowl Monday, and even how pets can help or hinder recovery. In honor of Alcohol Awareness Month, we shar ..read more

Recovering from an eating disorder can be a long and challenging journey, but you don’t need to face it alone. The long-term effects of eating disorders can significantly impact your health and mental well-being, so seeking treatment as soon as possible is important. These conditions can negatively alter a person’s life, increasing their risk of serious medical complications and long-term mental health issues. If you are struggling with an eating disorder, consider contacting Sanford Behavioral Health for residential eating disorder treatment. Our team of dedicated professionals will work wi ..read more

The awesome and recovery-friendly shores of Lake Superior – dare to dip a toe in! April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and it is also the time of year when we begin to think about our summer vacation. For those who are new to recovery, the thoughts of summer vacation without alcohol can be stressful. No glass of wine on the plane to “calm the nerves?” No sunset umbrella cocktail in the waterfront tiki bar? Correct, but also no bruised shins, battered relationships, and hangovers from hell. There is nothing to fear about vacations without alcohol; the trick is thinking ahead and picking the best ..read more

Glimmers are micro-moments of joy! I had a friend say to me this weekend, “Everything is hard.” We were talking about technology (the ever-changing virtual landscape triggers her anxiety), but it could apply to almost any subject in the year 2024. There is a reason why 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental illness. As a person in recovery from a substance use disorder who works for Sanford Behavioral Health, I am always looking to share everyday moments of joy to counteract the barrage of negativity and the fact that, indeed, everything is hard.   Glimmers- the Antidote to Triggers I ha ..read more

The friendly faces of the eating disorders admissions team, Erin McDowell and Christy Smith, at Sanford West Behavioral Health Campus! At Sanford Comprehensive Treatment for Eating Disorders, we are proud of how we have evolved since we opened the first standalone residential treatment center for eating disorders in Michigan. Our residential program is now two years old. Over the past two-plus years, we have also developed day programs and partial day programs for eating disorders, serving 14+ and all gender identities. Those in our eating disorder programs maintain the same individual the ..read more

Exercise with friends is a better way to cope with the stress of 2024! Since 2016, Sanford Behavioral Health has been writing articles about the health hazards associated with women and alcohol. We have warned women that they can’t “drink like men.” We have also listed the biological reasons why women are more susceptible to the ill effects of alcohol. However, new data from the CDC still show that death from drinking excessively is rising faster among women than among other demographics. According to the CDC, deaths from excessive alcohol use among women rose by 34% during the pandemic comp ..read more

Accessing the entire team at Sanford Behavioral Health Campus with virtual programs. Sanford Behavioral Health has offered virtual addiction treatment options since before the pandemic. Virtual treatment or telehealth is designed for those who need help with a mental health condition but have real-life obligations like work, school, or childcare. If in-person treatment is inconvenient or impossible because of a remote location or physical restrictions, virtual options have become a viable alternative. Likewise, our intensive outpatient programs have flexible schedules and meet only three hou ..read more

The physical act of cleaning helps reduce stress! What is it about spring that makes you want to box up the tchotchkes and embrace an open concept? Nature’s abundance and renewal after the long winter spur us to transform our surroundings, clean out the garage, and cull the sock drawer. This desire to declutter may have additional benefits beyond an empty laundry basket. Indeed, studies show that reducing clutter lessens distractions, allowing the brain to focus on important tasks.   Spring Cleaning Benefits 1. Decluttering Boosts Productivity The saying “clean space, clean mind” is bac ..read more

Anticipating spring is a familiar practice in Michigan! I am preparing for the family egg hunt next weekend. An extravaganza that accumulates new participants each year. It means dragging bins of plastic eggs from the attic, buying candy and trinkets, and planning brunch. Looking forward to the gathering of family and friends, children running on the grass, and the inevitable sighting of the “real” Easter Bunny (a mangy marsh hare that forages for seeds beneath my bird feeder) has given me a spring in my step. It is wonderful to have something to look forward to!   Positive Thinking Whe ..read more