So much of recovery seems psychological, emotional, and spiritual—but what if simply changing up a few habits that support your brain health made everything a bit easier? The thing is, more and more research suggests that when your brain gets more support from healthier habits and nutrition, the recovery hill you have to climb may [...]
We all have the capacity to eventually get there—throwing out our backs in our thirties or caring for the sports injury of a teenage child—and suddenly opioid-based pain killers enter daily life. Each one of us is vulnerable to injuries or diseases that can cause constant, overwhelming pain, making medication a new lifeline. But this [...]
You might be reading this as a parent in Pennsylvania who can’t quite pin down what’s changed in your adult child. Maybe they still show up to family events, but they seem dulled or perhaps even distant. They could seem overly anxious, unmotivated, or stoically sad, and you’ve noticed that they’re using cannabis frequently—whether medicinally [...]
What treats your mental, physical, and spiritual health while catering to your recovery, stress management, and real-life responsibilities simultaneously, all without the need to run around to various appointments or constantly explain yourself? A hint: it works best when your care team and larger support system communicate closely and adjust treatment as needed while you [...]
Time flies when you’re having fun, but January has a funny talent for going on and on with no fun in sight. One minute, you’re easing into the year with big intentions, and the next, it feels like an entire year flew by without ever reaching February. But what if a January without alcohol could [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Holiday drinking has the pesky talent of creeping in from every angle this time of year, and you might notice it long before the first snowstorm. One moment, you’re anticipating a few days off to enjoy your recovery, and the next, every movie, ad, or holiday party calls you back to drinking. It's the best [...]
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. [...]
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 [...]
