A general note: Because our main holidays, from Halloween through New Year’s Day occur in the darker wintertime of the year, we have a built-in conflict. This time of year is a more inward time, with more rest and quiet required, and a simple warm, nourishing diet. Yet, this time of year there are more […]

A high school English teacher and mother of two, Joy Clubb had a great job and a loving family. But alcohol, and later opioid addiction, robbed her of her career – and threatened to destroy her relationship with her husband and children. After two stays in residential addiction treatment, Clubb was living in a halfway […]

We understand that many people suffering from addiction are often reluctant to seek help over the Holidays for a number of reasons, including a fear of how their family will react or the fact that the Holidays can be such an emotional and stressful time. The truth is there is no better time than now […]

Hypertension and diabetes are chronic diseases. No one questions that managing them requires long-term commitment — getting regular checkups, using medication when needed, exercising, eating right, controlling stress levels and generally living a healthy lifestyle. Addiction is also a chronic disease, one for which there is no instant or magic cure. Yet too often, people […]

One recent afternoon at Bluff, residents gathered to create and paint clay pumpkins, a craft that would look lovely as part of anyone’s fall décor. But the art is about more than making knickknacks. During art therapy, Bluff residents express themselves through color, design and creativity. The purpose is to express their thoughts, feelings, and […]

The opiate epidemic continues to touch every community, locally and nationally. Families of all sizes, races, economic status, and ethnic groups around the country are impacted, either personally or through friends, classmates, co-workers, neighbors or fellow members of congregations – and will likely turn to their place of worship for support. What information is most […]

At summer camps and resorts, ropes courses are built high off the ground, designed for an adrenalin rush as participants test their physical limits. The ropes course at Bluff, a form of experiential therapy for patients in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, encourages pushing boundaries of a different sort. Rather than focusing on showing courage […]

For recovering addicts, participating in meaningful activities can restore a sense of purpose, improve self-esteem and provide an alternative to previous unhealthy habits. Gardening, which combines physical activity, enjoying the outdoors and patiently nurturing seeds into mature plants, can be one of those meaningful activities. Gardening connects people to the earth, promotes relaxation and offers […]

Too many young adults are dying from opioid overdoses. In an effort to curb the gateway source of the opioid addiction epidemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued strict guidelines restricting prescriptions for opioid painkillers from primary care doctors and dentists treating patients for pain. Tragically, this may not stem the tide […]