True recovery involves more than mere abstinence. Someone who has quit drinking, but has yet to embrace the characteristics associated with a wellness-focused sober lifestyle, is sometimes referred to by others in recovery as a dry drunk. The term dry drunk is an oxymoron, meaning that a person is behaving in ways that are associated [...]
What's the best way to handle a friend or family member's substance abuse? Your first impulse may be to try to "save" your loved one, but there's a fine line between helping and enabling. Understanding how to avoid enabling will make it easier to encourage your loved one to get the treatment they need. Acknowledge [...]
Throughout the United States, May is observed as Mental Health Awareness Month to bring attention to the role mental health care plays in a person's overall sense of wellbeing. Started in 1949 by Mental Health America (MHA), the observance encourages a better understanding of mental health disorders and promotes access to screening and treatment options. [...]
Your Recovery Journey After you've completed residential treatment at St. Joseph Institute for Addiction, you have the skills necessary to build a sober life for yourself. However, it's natural to find yourself feeling conflicted in regards to sharing your recovery journey with others. It may be helpful to think of your recovery in the same [...]
Recovery is a time of new beginnings. For many parents, this means improving their relationship with their children. No matter what challenges your family has faced in the past, there's always hope for a brighter tomorrow and a healthier family dynamic. Self-Care Is Not Selfish Despite the hype over helicopter parents and tiger moms, it's [...]
Watching someone you care about spiral out of control is heartbreaking. If your friend or family member is showing signs of an alcohol use disorder, you may feel as though you're hopelessly watching from the sidelines. However, there are several steps you can take to encourage your loved one to acknowledge the problem and begin [...]
Recovery is a time of new beginnings, which means you'll need to look at your relationships with a critical eye. If someone is engaging in toxic behaviors that pose a threat to your sobriety, it's best to end the relationship and focus on the more positive aspects of your life. Identifying Toxic Relationships A healthy [...]
Although most people think of infidelity and financial issues as the top causes of divorce, addiction is also a factor cited by many couples who are ending their marriages. Drug and alcohol abuse create a dysfunctional home environment that can strain even the most loving of relationships. However, addiction doesn't need to result in divorce [...]
Before you entered treatment, most of your free time was probably spent abusing drugs or alcohol. Now that you're in recovery, finding ways to fill your day will prevent boredom from triggering cravings. Try a New Hobby Recovery is the perfect time to reinvent yourself. If you've always wanted to learn to play the guitar, [...]
In the earliest stages of recovery, it's best to focus solely on self-care. However, once you've gone through withdrawal and built a foundation for sobriety, it's time to start thinking about how you can give back to others. Benefits of Giving Back in Recovery St. Francis of Assisi once said, “For it is in giving [...]
