What Is Chronic Pain? Chronic pain is defined as pain that is experienced on most days of the week for a period of six months or more. A wide range of medical conditions, including osteoarthritis, autoimmune disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, and migraines, have been linked to chronic pain. In total, the U.S. Pain Foundation estimates that [...]
The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has affected many aspects of daily life. This has been particularly difficult for people who are struggling with depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Managing Your Mental Health While no two people will have the exact same experience, you should be aware of five common pandemic-related mental health challenges. Knowing [...]
Recovering from drug or alcohol addiction requires a holistic approach that heals the mind, body, and spirit. For many people, sobriety provides an opportunity to explore their creative side. Benefits of Creativity in Addiction Recovery Creative pastimes provide a number of important benefits for people in recovery. For example: Creativity provides a safe place for [...]
Learning to face challenging situations without turning to drugs and alcohol for comfort is a crucial part of building the foundation for lasting sobriety. Radical acceptance, a concept associated with dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), can help. About Radical Acceptance Radical acceptance is a practice developed by Marsha Linehan. An Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral [...]
The Importance of a Strong Immune System The coronavirus pandemic has bought newfound attention to the importance of a strong immune system. Individuals with underlying medical conditions that weaken the immune system have an increased risk of developing COVID-19 complications that can lead to hospitalization or death. Alcohol weakens the body's immune system in several [...]
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 [...]
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. [...]
