Leaving rehab is an exciting time. You're beginning a new chapter in your life, equipped with the tools to maintain your sobriety. However, this does not mean that you won't be faced with temptation. The best way to prevent relapse after rehab is to proactively think about what triggers the urge to use and how [...]
April is Alcohol Awareness Month. This observance, sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), stresses the need for education regarding alcoholism and addiction recovery. At St. Joseph Institute, we stand together with NCADD to encourage an open and honest conversation about the risks associated with underage drinking. In this post, we'll [...]
By: Aspen Stoddard/staff writer After more than a decade of using substances to avoid my “self,” one of the hardest parts of transitioning into sobriety was learning new tactics for dealing with the cycle of anxious thoughts spinning constantly in my mind. Sure, I understood the idea of living one day at a time, but [...]
Watching your spouse or partner struggle with addiction isn't easy, but this challenge doesn't have to mean the end of your relationship. With patience, commitment, and determination, your marriage can emerge from this struggle stronger than ever before. Start a New Chapter in Your Relationship Try to look at your spouse being in recovery as [...]
Are you wondering whether someone you care about needs addiction treatment? The road to a substance abuse problem isn’t a straight line. For most people, it’s more like a slippery slope. When the person in need and their families look back at past events, they can see how the addiction developed, but it’s difficult to [...]
One of the ways that addiction is described by Alcoholics Anonymous is with the phrase “cunning, baffling and powerful.” To those living with it, this expression certainly rings true. Someone who is clean and sober may seem to be doing well on their journey, but then they have a slip or even a full-blown relapse. [...]
Addiction is not just a physical affliction nor is it only emotional or mental. When it comes to recovering from drug or alcohol abuse, a successful comprehensive plan should include ways of understanding and treating your body, mind, and spirit. That’s why gaining the ability to stop using drugs and alcohol is just one part [...]
Valentine's Day is all about showing your love and appreciation for your significant other, but date night can feel awkward when you're newly sober. Instead of worrying about how you'll avoid the drinks at your favorite restaurant or club, why not plan an alternative Valentine's Day date? Create a Custom Scavenger Hunt A scavenger hunt [...]
Staying active is an important element to good health. For people who are stuck in the cycle of drug or alcohol abuse, physical exercise is often one of the first parts of their routine that gets neglected. Physical exercise is an important part of treatment for those who are in the early stages of recovery. [...]
Do you remember the first time you held your son or daughter? Becoming a parent is a great joy, but it’s also a great responsibility. You probably felt a weight of responsibility in that moment, not only to provide for your child, but also to guide him to make choices for himself. Guiding a [...]
