HIGHS IN THE TIME NOW FOR OUR “MENTAL HEALTH MOMENT” OF THE WEEK – WE’RE TALKING ABOUT THE COLD – THE SHORT DAYS…. IT’S WINTER IN MAINE – AND THESE MONTHS CAN PRESENT CHALLENGES FOR THOSE WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND THOSE IN RECOVERY. HERE TO DISCUSS IS ALI ZUBROD, A CLINICAL SUPERVISOR AT SWEETSER’S HOPE & HEALING CENTER IN BRUNSWICK. WELCOME, ALI. WHY CAN WINTER BE ESPECIALLY CHALLENGING? A LOT OF PEOPLE LIVING IN MAINE ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO SEASONAL DEPRESSION. LACK OF SUNLIGHT CAN CAUSE A LOW MOOD AND DISRUPT OUR SLEEP PATTERNS. USING ALCOHOL OR SUBSTANCES CAN FEEL RELAXING OR EXCITING IN THE SHORT-TERM, BUT LONG-TERM, LONG-TERM, CHRONIC USE ACTUALLY LEADS TO EVEN DEEPER MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. ISOLATION: FEELING LONELY OR BORED, STUCK AT HOME. FINANCIAL STRESS: HEATING COSTS, BUYING GIFTS, OR TAX SEASON CAN CAUSE IMMENSE STRESS. HOW CAN FOLKS COPE AND WORK THROUGH SOME OF THOSE OBTACLES….IN A HEALTHY WAY? GET ACTIVE INDOOR STRETCHING OR SHORT WALKS HELP MAINTAIN OUR FEEL-GOOD HORMONES. FEEL GOOD NOW AND LONG-TERM MAKE CONNECTIONS CONNECTION IS THE OPPOSITE OF ADDICTION SMART RECOVERY, AA/NA ZOOM ROOMS, ALL OF WHICH ARE ACCESSIBLE BY PHONE BRUNSWICK HOPE AND HEALING CENTER HAS A FREE, DROP IN PEER CENTER. CREATE STRUCTURE MAKE A DAILY SCHEDULE FIND WAYS TO INCORPORATE OLD OR NEW HOBBIES IF SOMEONE IF READY TO REACH OUT AND ASK FOR HELP…. WHAT IS IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE? WHO CAN THEY CONNECT WITH? SWEETSER HAS A SUBSTANCE USE INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM AT OUR AT OUR BRUNSWICK HOPE AND HEALING CENTER, DESIGNED TO PROVIDE FLEXIBLE, EVIDENCE-BASED RECOVERY SUPPORT WITHOUT THE NEED FOR INPATIENT STAYS. THE PROGRAM HAS ONGOING ADMISSIONS AND MEETS THREE DAYS A WEEK IN THREE-HOUR BLOCKS OVER A SIX-WEEK PERIOD, ALLOWING ADULTS TO MAINTAIN THEIR WORK AND FAMILY COMMITMENTS WHILE ACCESSING GROUP THERAPY, MEDICATION-ASSISTED TREATMENT, AND HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES. BY OFFERING SELF-REFERRAL OPTIONS AND A “NO-JUDGMENT” APPROACH, THE INITIATIVE AIMS TO REMOVE TRADITIONAL BARRIERS TO CARE AND MEET INDIVIDUALS EXACTLY WHERE THEY ARE IN THEIR RECOVERY JOURNEY. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING IF THIS PROGRAM MIGHT BE A GOOD FIT IN YOUR RECOVERY JOURNEY, EMAIL US AT INFO@SWEETSER.ORG OR CALL THE PROMISELINE 1-800-434-3000. ALI ZUBROD, A CLINICAL SUPERVISOR AT SWEETSER’S HOPE & HEALING CENTER IN BRUNSWICK – THANK YOU FOR COMING I
Why people with substance use disorder struggle during the winter
Updated: 2:35 PM EST Feb 20, 2026
The winter months in Maine can present challenges for people who struggle with substance use disorder and for those who are recovering.Ali Zubrod, a clinical supervisor at Sweetser’s Hope and Healing Center in Brunswick, said winter can be especially triggering because a lot of people who live in Maine are susceptible to seasonal depression.According to Zubrod, the lack of sunlight during winter can cause a low mood and disrupt sleep patterns. Winter can also lead to a feeling of isolation if people are stuck at home, and there is also the financial stress of heating costs that is compounded by spending on holiday gifts and tax season.Zubrod said using alcohol or substances can feel relaxing or exciting in the short term, but long-term, chronic use can lead to deeper mental health issues.What are some healthy coping strategies?Get active with indoor stretching or short walks, which can both help maintain “feel-good” hormones.Make connections through programs such as SMART Recovery or Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous Zoom rooms, which are accessible by phone. Sweetser’s Hope and Healing Center also has a free, drop-in peer center.Create structure by making a daily schedule and finding ways to incorporate old or new hobbies into a daily routine.If people need recovery treatment, what resources are immediately available?Sweetser has a Substance Use Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at the Brunswick Hope and Healing Center, which is designed to provide flexible, evidence-based recovery support without the need for inpatient stays. The program has ongoing admissions and meets three days a week in three-hour blocks over a six-week period, allowing adults to maintain their work and family commitments while accessing group therapy, medication-assisted treatment and harm reduction strategies. By offering self-referral options and a “no-judgment” approach, the initiative aims to remove traditional barriers to care and meet individuals exactly where they are in their recovery journey.People who are interested in learning if this program might be a good fit in their recovery journey, send an email at info@sweetser.org or call Sweetser’s PromiseLine at 1-800-434-3000.
PORTLAND, Maine —
The winter months in Maine can present challenges for people who struggle with substance use disorder and for those who are recovering.
Ali Zubrod, a clinical supervisor at Sweetser’s Hope and Healing Center in Brunswick, said winter can be especially triggering because a lot of people who live in Maine are susceptible to seasonal depression.
According to Zubrod, the lack of sunlight during winter can cause a low mood and disrupt sleep patterns. Winter can also lead to a feeling of isolation if people are stuck at home, and there is also the financial stress of heating costs that is compounded by spending on holiday gifts and tax season.
Zubrod said using alcohol or substances can feel relaxing or exciting in the short term, but long-term, chronic use can lead to deeper mental health issues.
What are some healthy coping strategies?Get active with indoor stretching or short walks, which can both help maintain “feel-good” hormones.Make connections through programs such as SMART Recovery or Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous Zoom rooms, which are accessible by phone. Sweetser’s Hope and Healing Center also has a free, drop-in peer center.Create structure by making a daily schedule and finding ways to incorporate old or new hobbies into a daily routine.
If people need recovery treatment, what resources are immediately available?
Sweetser has a Substance Use Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at the Brunswick Hope and Healing Center, which is designed to provide flexible, evidence-based recovery support without the need for inpatient stays.
The program has ongoing admissions and meets three days a week in three-hour blocks over a six-week period, allowing adults to maintain their work and family commitments while accessing group therapy, medication-assisted treatment and harm reduction strategies. By offering self-referral options and a “no-judgment” approach, the initiative aims to remove traditional barriers to care and meet individuals exactly where they are in their recovery journey.
People who are interested in learning if this program might be a good fit in their recovery journey, send an email at info@sweetser.org or call Sweetser’s PromiseLine at 1-800-434-3000.