If you’re in recovery or residential treatment for substance use disorder in Pennsylvania and thinking about stepping back into the dating world, we support you! It’s a huge step and we want all of our Port Matilda community members to be aware of the research around relationships in recovery before they take the plunge. It’s [...]
Three main areas in life can play a role in whether or not someone develops a substance use disorder (SUD), abuses drugs, or becomes exposed to alcohol and other intoxicants. These areas include genetics, living and working environment, and development and experiences throughout life. How Biology and Childhood Development Play a Role in Addiction Scientists [...]
Not too long ago an insightful story by author David Sheff about his son’s battle against addiction was published in the New York Times. Sheff relays searching for his child at night, checking all the neighborhoods he knew he might frequent. Most of the time he never got a glimpse of his young adult son—who [...]
It’s the nicotine in cigarettes that makes them exceptionally difficult to quit. When someone consumes a cigarette, vapes tobacco, or uses chewing tobacco, they’re introducing nicotine into their bloodstream. Just seconds after inhaling, the brain detects the nicotine and releases dopamine. Dopamine is the brain’s way of saying WE’RE H A P P Y, KEEP [...]
In 2023, the Boulder County community of Colorado recorded two unique opioid-related deaths. Upon further investigation, officials found that the victims had consumed a newly modified, powerful synthetic opioid called nitazene. Because the type of nitazene currently on the market is so new, it was a breakthrough that healthcare workers detected the drug at all. [...]
St. Joseph Institute for Addiction in Port Matilda, PA, treats substance use disorder (SUD) at the same time that we treat the entire individual and assess their general mental health. We know that treating addiction as an isolated issue misses the bigger picture, as many of our clients report struggling with generalized anxiety disorders, depression, [...]
Many of us may feel that we would immediately recognize addiction in our spouse, our child, our best friend, and especially ourselves. However, at least 48 million Americans are living with substance use disorder (SUD) right now, and not all of them are seeking treatment. Countless more deal with behavioral addictions that are either dismissed, [...]
Not only is employment post-recovery necessary for most of the 850,000+ individuals living in addiction recovery in Pennsylvania, but it’s also a huge indicator of success in long-term sobriety. The benefits of being hired and working after achieving sobriety aren’t just economic—they’re psychological and social. People who work after completing treatment make more social connections, [...]
It’s not completely understood why there are so many forms of addiction treatment center fraud out there, but one reason could be the long-standing stigma associated with substance use disorder (SUD), a mental health and behavioral disorder. Research shows that people who seek help for addiction can experience negative biases and prejudice on the [...]
Methamphetamine, known more commonly as meth, is a popular stimulant that targets the central nervous system. Over 2.5 million people use the substance and over half of those have methamphetamine use disorder. The stimulant has several forms and goes by other nicknames: Speed Crystal meth or Crystal Crank Chalk Tweak, Ice, and Glass The nervous [...]
