There is no cure for addiction so the recovering addict or alcoholic must always be on guard against the possibility of relapse. It is very important to know the signs of relapse and take immediate steps to safeguard against temptation. Some of the big triggers are stress, exhaustion, loneliness, boredom, resentment and relationship problems. Addicts need [...]
The people who love and care for those with addictions are constantly placed in the difficult position of deciding how to act. Do you challenge the alcoholic or addict to get help? Do you refuse to help them until they decide to seek treatment? Do you withdraw assistance (money, housing, car, etc.) until they take the [...]
Like any chronic disease, addiction needs to be treated; however, the answers do not lie in quick fixes. Overcoming addiction requires learning the tools, strategies and behaviors that enable someone to manage life without resorting to drugs or alcohol as the easy answer. Help is important, because the addicted person must learn to think, act, and [...]
People drink and use drugs for a reason; they want to feel different. For many of them that reason is hazy when they first enter treatment. As they detox and their brains begin to heal, they are able to make the connection between life events and their pattern of drinking or using. They see that there were [...]
The line between substance abuse and addiction is often hard to see until it has been crossed. An individual may deny they have an addiction until the consequences are overwhelming and undeniable: a lost job, broken relationships, a DUI, financial problems, legal issues, or a serious health condition. The CAGE Test is one way to [...]
For generations addiction was understood to be a lack of willpower. People with this mindset believed that the addicted person chose to make bad decisions and act selfishly. People thought recovery could be accomplished by forcing addicts to take responsibility for their actions and say “no” to their urges to drink/use. In recent decades, science [...]
Addicts and alcoholics often describe their addiction as cunning, baffling and powerful. It has the ability to destroy their careers, financial savings, relationships, hopes and dreams. During the holidays it is particularly brutal, ready to bring potentially disastrous consequences into the lives of millions. For the part of the brain that controls addiction, the holidays [...]
For some people the main obstacle keeping them from entering addiction rehab is their job. How do they tell their boss? What do they say to co-workers? Will they be fired? Fortunately the answers are often easier than they think. At St. Joseph Institute, we take care of most communication with the employer. For those [...]
A popular TV star was recently interviewed about her decision to have radical surgery when doctors detected the early stages of a life-threatening disease. After answering several questions on the same topic, she became increasingly frustrated and interrupted the interviewer; “Why does everyone want to always take the easy road,” she asked. “Life is not [...]
Choosing Addiction Rehab If you had a disease that could kill you without an operation, my guess is that you would diligently seek a well-qualified surgeon with an excellent track record in hopes of saving your life. Why then do people often select a treatment program for drug and alcohol addiction without equal dedication? While [...]
