Often, people who are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction also suffer from co-occurring mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. Treating these underlying conditions is an essential part of the substance abuse recovery process. How Are Antidepressants Used in Addiction Recovery? Antidepressants are prescription medications that can be used to treat a wide [...]
Quick Fixes Can Be Risky When life gets hectic, it's easy to search for a quick fix to all of your problems. Relaxing with a drink or a few pills at the end of the day might seem harmless, but this behavior can easily turn into a full-fledged substance use disorder if you have an [...]
Although pop culture often makes it sound like the holidays are a time of endless joy, the time between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day is difficult for many people. Family conflicts, financial worries, and the stress of living up to the expectation of creating "perfect" memories can make emotions run high—even for people who aren't [...]
If you're not feeling particularly festive this year, you're far from alone. Even without the added stress of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the holidays can be a time of loneliness for many people. To avoid putting your newfound sobriety at risk, it's important to have a plan to minimize the negative effects of loneliness on [...]
Although gratitude takes center stage during the Thanksgiving holiday, reminding yourself of what you're most grateful for should be a year-round practice. Gratitude helps build the resilience you’ll need to tackle the challenges you’ll face on the road to recovery. The Benefits of Gratitude Gratitude does not minimize the struggles a person experiences. As a [...]
Building the foundation for a lasting recovery involves more than simply abstaining from drugs and alcohol. Addiction affects the mind, body, and spirit—which means lasting recovery requires a holistic approach. At St. Joseph Institute for Addiction, we encourage you to explore your spirituality as part of our comprehensive treatment approach. Benefits of Spirituality in Addiction [...]
Whether you've known for some time that your friend is struggling with a substance use disorder or you only recently became aware of the problem, it's wonderful that you want to show your support for their desire to seek treatment. Worrying about saying—or doing—the wrong thing is understandable, but to ease your concerns the team [...]
The loss of a loved one is already considered one of the most painful experiences a person can go through, but the grieving process has been complicated for many by the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. If you're mourning a friend or family member who has recently passed, it's important to proactively manage your [...]
National Recovery Month is observed every September to recognize the struggles faced by those who have been diagnosed with substance use disorders or other mental health conditions. For 31 years, National Recovery Month celebrations have served as a reminder that there's always hope for recovery no matter what challenges a person has faced in the [...]
A Dual Diagnosis The symptoms of bipolar disorder can often be masked by active substance abuse, but these conditions are two separate mental health issues. For a lasting recovery, both must be treated simultaneously. If your loved one has been diagnosed with both bipolar disorder and a substance use disorder, educating yourself on this dual [...]
