Don’t Let Grief Trigger a Relapse
The loss of a loved one is already considered one of the most painful experiences a person can go through, but the grieving process has been complicated for many by the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. If you're mourning [...]
How to Protect Your Mental Health During COVID-19
In uncertain times, it's important to be proactive about managing your mental health. Use these tips to help you navigate the challenges posed by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic as you continue to put sobriety first. Give Yourself Permission to Feel [...]
Festive Non-Alcoholic Holiday Drink Ideas
If this is your first holiday season in recovery, you may find yourself wondering how you'll stay sober through months of parties with family and friends. At St. Joseph Institute for Addiction's Pennsylvania substance abuse treatment center, we recommend defusing [...]
Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Treat Substance Use Disorders
What Is CBT? When many people think of going to therapy, they are imagining the traditional Freudian psychoanalysis they've seen on TV and in movies. They picture laying on a comfy couch while a therapist asks about their childhood to [...]
Sober Living: 7 Things to Be Grateful for This Thanksgiving
Gratitude If this is your first Thanksgiving in recovery, there's much to be grateful for. The skills you learned in St. Joseph Institute’s Pennsylvania drug and alcohol treatment center have built the foundation for a better life. Take some time [...]
Graduate Spotlight: Kris Credits SJI with Getting Him on the Path to Recovery
My name is Kris and I am an alcoholic. I started drinking on a daily basis 22 years ago. At the time, I used alcohol as a crutch to get over a difficult event in my life. What that event [...]
Tweaking Your Diet to Control Drug and Alcohol Cravings
Cravings Are Normal Experiencing cravings for drugs or alcohol is a normal part of the addiction recovery process. It's nothing to be ashamed of, although the experience can be uncomfortable. In most cases, cravings pass on their own within 10 [...]
Tips to Combat Sleeplessness in Recovery
The average adult requires seven to nine hours of sleep each night, but meeting this target can be difficult if you're in recovery for a substance use disorder. A study in the Journal of Addiction Medicine found that people in [...]
7 Benefits of Quitting Drinking
If you're in the early stages of recovery, it can be helpful to remind yourself of all you stand to gain by staying sober. The benefits of quitting drinking can touch nearly every aspect of your life. 1. You'll Look [...]
Promote Lasting Sobriety by Spending Time in Nature
Did you know that experts believe most Americans spend about 90 percent of their day indoors? Our modern lifestyles often don't provide many opportunities to naturally spend time outside, which means we need to make a conscious effort to head [...]
