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 [...]
Although there's nothing wrong with dinner and a movie, sometimes you want a new sober date idea—especially if you're planning an outing for Valentine's Day, your anniversary, your sweetheart's birthday, or another special occasion. The team at St. Joseph Institute has put together this list of fun sober date ideas in the State College area [...]
Making the decision to seek treatment for a drug or alcohol addiction is a big step. It's normal to be afraid of what the future holds, but you can't let your fear keep you from pursuing a life free from the burdens of substance abuse. Get Educated Substance abuse is poorly understood by the general [...]
What Does It Mean to Put Sobriety First? Putting sobriety first means making a conscious choice to create an environment that promotes your recovery. It means you’re actively taking steps to avoid the complacency that puts you at risk of relapse following graduation from residential treatment. 1. Take It One Day at a Time When [...]
“I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.” ― Carl Gustav Jung Breaking Free Recovery is a new chapter in the story of your life, but it's up to you to decide what happens next. By breaking free from the victim mentality that plagues so many people who are [...]
New Year's Day is the perfect time to reflect on your recovery journey by creating resolutions that will help you build the sober life you deserve. Everyone's recovery journey is unique, but the team at St. Joseph Institute for Addiction's Pennsylvania drug and alcohol treatment center has a few suggestions to help you choose resolutions [...]
Support from friends and family is a vital part of the recovery process. While you can't force your loved one who is abusing prescription opioid painkillers to seek treatment, there are several things you can do to help them recognize the severity of the problem and urge them to get the care they need. Educate [...]
