The holidays are a time to remember what we're thankful for. But for those recovering from an addiction, the most wonderful time of the year can feel daunting.
More often than not, holiday get-togethers involve alcohol, which isn't easy for someone working on staying sober. Fortunately, we have a resource in West Michigan to help people successfully overcome their addictions.
Rae Green is the co-founder of Sandford Addiction Treatment Centers in Grand Rapids. They've helped hundreds overcome dependence on everything from medicine to alcohol. With one in 10 people dealing with addiction, chances are we may know someone close to us who needs our compassion.
"We need to remember this is a brain disease, this is not a lack of willpower," Green explained. "One glass of champagne is asking someone to run a marathon and have a cast on their leg. But in this disease, you don't see that cast. The healing is going on in a non-visable way. So, lets approach it with love and compassion and get them the help they deserve."
Recovery is a chronic lifelong management in which work doesn't just stop once a person leaves their care.Sanford Addiction Treatment Centers has two homes in downtown Grand Rapids and can serve up to 30 people at a time.
For more information, click here.
