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Olivia.Gillespie

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So far Liv Gillespie has created 93 blog entries.

The Importance of Hydration in Recovery

By |2026-01-16T15:16:37-05:00January 16th, 2026|Recovery|

When you don’t drink enough water, stress can feel less like a mosquito buzzing in your ear and more like the painful rage of a thousand stubbed pinky toes. That’s because dehydration can make stressful interactions and triggers feel much louder and more personal than they need to be. And when you live with substance [...]

Creating Achievable New Year’s Goals

By |2025-12-26T11:01:56-05:00December 26th, 2025|Uncategorized|

The start of a new year can feel magical, like a little spark inside your chest every time you think about turning the page, trying again, or doing things differently this time around. Studies show that almost half of Americans set at least one New Year’s goal, and it could be that simply deciding to [...]

Understanding Substance-Induced Mood Disorder

By |2025-12-02T09:05:08-05:00December 2nd, 2025|Substance Use Disorder|

Maybe you’ve noticed the Monday blues hit harder than they used to after a weekend of drinking, or you’re jumpier and more impatient the morning after using cocaine. Or maybe you experience random moments where you talk fast, make quick decisions, and feel oddly amped up even though you didn’t plan on feeling that way. [...]

What Is Gaming Addiction?

By |2025-11-13T14:16:07-05:00November 13th, 2025|Addiction|

Maybe you’ve noticed your teenager glued to a video game controller for hours, or you’re starting to wonder if your own gaming sessions are getting out of hand. It’s easy to shrug it off, but video game dependency—what’s now called gaming disorder—is a real thing. And even though St. Joseph Institute doesn’t specialize in gaming [...]

What’s Bluetoothing Drug Addiction?

By |2025-11-07T09:52:43-05:00November 7th, 2025|Drug Addiction|

Ever heard of something called bluetoothing? Sounds like a new phone setting, right? Nope—it’s way more alarming than that.  Also known as hotspotting, bluetoothing isn’t its own drug—it refers to a way people share drugs through blood. It’s happening mostly in parts of Africa and the Pacific Islands, not so much in the U.S. or [...]

Does Sobriety Make You Angry?

By |2025-10-31T12:51:13-04:00October 31st, 2025|Alcohol Recovery|

Key Takeaways It’s usually alcohol, not its absence, that can stir up long-term irritability and anger. Living substance-free might feel rough at first, but many people end up feeling calmer, clearer, and happier over time. If you’re curious about cutting back, being “sober curious” is a great way to see what life feels like without [...]

Can Substance Use Cause Stomach Issues?

By |2025-10-27T09:13:29-04:00October 27th, 2025|Substance Use Disorder|

Detox can surprise you with stomach drama you didn’t see coming, and that can feel unsettling and annoying. That first stretch can often bring nausea, diarrhea, or constipation, but you can absolutely get through it with the right treatment team. If you want a quick picture of what that early care looks like, skim our [...]

What’s Kratom?

By |2025-10-16T15:20:53-04:00October 16th, 2025|Addiction|

Maybe you’ve seen kratom trending online or mentioned on podcasts, and now you’re wondering what it really is—and whether your loved one might be using it. If you think a deeper issue could be at play and that kratom may be the cause, reach out to St. Joseph Institute right away. In the meantime, this [...]