Success in recovery requires replacing unhelpful, inaccurate, and self-destructive thoughts with ones supporting your long-term wellness goals. One way to do this is to incorporate affirmations into your daily self-care routine. What Are Affirmations? Affirmations are statements or declarations created to reinforce and cultivate a positive mindset. The concept may seem simple, but affirmations are [...]
Part of the reason why it's so hard for people with alcohol use disorders to manage their condition is that the idea of drinking is deeply embedded in our culture. Movies and TV shows show characters having fun by depicting lively gatherings with clinking glasses, laand ughter filling the air. From toasting at weddings and [...]
Being in recovery from a substance use disorder isn't just about abstaining from drug and alcohol use—it's about healing your mind, body, and spirit so you can reach your full potential. This requires a growth mindset. What Does It Mean to Have a Growth Mindset? A growth mindset refers to the belief that a person's [...]
If you're ready to seek treatment for an alcohol use disorder, detox will be the first step in your recovery journey. This is the process of helping your body adjust to functioning without alcohol. In most cases, detox is merely uncomfortable. However, some people who have abused alcohol for an extended time period may experience [...]
The symptoms of schizophrenia can be heartbreaking to watch, and the impact of a loved one's addiction adds another layer of complexity to an already challenging situation. It is common to feel powerless in the face of your loved one's struggles with these co-occurring conditions, but the team at St. Joseph Institute wants you to [...]
When you first started using marijuana, you were simply interested in relaxing and having a good time with your friends. Now that cannabis has become a regular part of your life, you may be wondering if it could be doing long-term damage. Although the negative effects of regular marijuana use are still being studied, there [...]
For many people contemplating addiction treatment, the thought of withdrawal gives them pause. Although specific symptoms depend on the substance being abused, a person's overall health, and the length of their addiction, withdrawal is often associated with uncomfortable symptoms such as sweating, chills, headaches, abdominal upset, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, and rapid heart rate. [...]
Many of us are prone to "either/or" thinking that affects our risk perception. For example, we often talk about drug overdoses in a way that assumes a person either suffers a fatal overdose or recovers with no lasting long-term effects. This couldn't be further from the truth, as drug overdoses can lead to permanent brain [...]
What Are the Risks of Detoxing Without Medical Supervision? Although most people think of detox as merely uncomfortable, the reality is that withdrawal from drugs or alcohol can be dangerous if you don't take proper precautions. Symptoms are notoriously unpredictable and can range from mild aches and pains to intense physical reactions, such as [...]
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is the best-known self-help program for men and women struggling with alcohol abuse. However, many people have questions about the role that spirituality and religion play in the program. AA Is Spiritual, Not Religious The founders of AA were members of a fundamentalist Protestant Christian movement, the Oxford Group. However, AA is [...]
