Components of the True Self: Feelings
At St. Joseph Institute, we teach the four components of the True Self: feelings, reasoning mind, intuitive mind, and will. A genuine connection with our True Self creates the basis for intimacy, the practice of getting to know others and [...]
Family Recovery: Recognizing Self-Destructive Behavior
We all know that addicts engage in self-destructive behavior—their addiction is the most obvious way they attempt to harm themselves. But less obvious behaviors are also self-destructive, and when addicts—especially those in recovery—begin to engage frequently in these behaviors, you [...]
‘It took all my morals’: Heroin addict looks back on hellish existence
St. Joseph Institute Alumnus Drew Reed is featured in The Harrisburg Patriot article highlighting the ongoing painkiller-heroin addiction crisis in the state of Pennsylvania and beyond, the challenges facing addicts for decent and affordable treatment options and the individual triumph [...]
Practicing Recovery: Forgiveness
How many times have you looked in a mirror and felt disappointment? We all have complaints about our physical selves, and for many of us, our disappointment runs deeper, to the ways we think, feel, and act. This disappointment leads [...]
Family Recovery: Establishing Boundaries
As family members and friends of an addicted loved one, you have probably observed this person fail to establish clear boundaries. You may also have a hard time establishing the boundaries that would protect you from this person’s behavior. Learning [...]
Practicing Recovery: Healthy Stomach, Healthy Brain
Overeating processed foods is one of the most common ways to replace a drug or alcohol addiction. Pamela M. Peeke, MD, MPH, has worked with addiction treatment centers across the country to educate residents about “hyper-palatables”—sugary, fatty, or salty foods—and [...]
The Senior Addict: Meeting the Treatment Needs of Older Adults
Addiction among seniors is a growing problem. Unfortunately, this problem often slips under the public radar, and the government does not provide seniors the education, attention, and funding they deserve. This article looks at 10 barriers to age-appropriate treatment for [...]
Practicing Recovery: Yoga
What does yoga have to do with recovery? Quite a lot, according to Google. Search “yoga for addiction,” and you will find countless articles from professional sources about the benefits of yoga in recovery. Yoga is not just for women, [...]
Enabling: Learning the Difference Between Love and Attachment
Guilt. Resentment. Anxiety. Exhaustion. If you have an alcoholic or addict in your life and feel one or more of these feelings consistently, you are probably engaging in enabling behavior. What is enabling? Enabling is the illusion of help, the [...]
Practicing Recovery: Grounding & Centering
We have shared many blog posts about recovery as a process, as a habit that takes daily practice and attention. We’ve talked about the many triggers of relapse, from stress to poor health to depression. Another major trigger for relapse [...]
