Now Is the Time If you've been worried about your drinking or drug use, you might find yourself wondering whether it's better to seek treatment now or to wait until the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has passed. While we understand your concern, the team at St. Joseph Institute for Addiction's Pennsylvania residential drug and alcohol treatment [...]
In uncertain times, it's important to be proactive about managing your mental health. Use these tips to help you navigate the challenges posed by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic as you continue to put sobriety first. Give Yourself Permission to Feel Sad It's perfectly reasonable to be upset by the changes COVID-19 has created in your [...]
Harder to Hide The signs of addiction are often very subtle—especially in the early stages of a substance use disorder. This means that in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, they can be easy to miss. One unexpected effect of the COVID-19 pandemic is that quarantine restrictions have made it easier to spot potential [...]
Sober Support Networks Building a strong sober support network is one of the most important ways you can create the foundation for lasting sobriety. When you're not able to visit friends and family in person, staying connected can be a challenge. However, St. Joseph Institute for Addiction has compiled this list of fun ways you [...]
Things have changed a lot recently, for most everyone across the world. Daily routines and schedules have been upended. Anxieties are running high and fear has crept into the spaces that routine and comfort used to fill. Staying Informed We want to stay informed; in fact we need to. But the world, its leaders, and [...]
Stress Can Be a Relapse Trigger Substance use disorders are chronic illnesses, which means your long-term treatment plan must include a strategy to manage relapse triggers. Everyone's experience is different, but stress is a very common trigger for relapse. Although some sources of stress can be easily avoided, it's impossible to create a stress-free environment. [...]
Although everyone has good days and bad days, depression is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness that interfere with day-to-day functioning. Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders and can pose a significant threat to your recovery if it's not properly addressed. Depression as a Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorder Many people initially [...]
It's not always easy to tell if someone is struggling with a substance use disorder. Since the condition is classified as a chronic and progressive illness, someone can appear to be quite functional to the casual observer yet still have significant problems related to their drug or alcohol use. Understanding Terms If you are worried [...]
Talking to teens about substance abuse is never easy, but the conversation often proves particularly challenging for parents in recovery. At St. Joseph Institute for Addiction, we know that breaking the cycle of addiction is a top priority for many of the parents in our Pennsylvania drug and alcohol addiction treatment program. In this post, [...]
Women and Addiction Women who struggle with addiction often deal with intense guilt and shame regarding the impact their substance abuse has had on their children. However, it's important to realize that every mother worries about her parenting skills. Children don't come with instruction manuals, so we're all simply doing the best we can. At [...]
