Surviving a Breakup Without Alcohol
Breakups can be brutal. They rank up there with losing a job, moving to a new city, or discovering that your favorite ice cream flavor has been unexpectedly discontinued. Before you sought treatment for your substance use disorder, your first [...]
How the ADA Protects People in Recovery
Although we've seen significant progress towards improving the public's understanding of substance use disorders in recent years, people in recovery often still struggle with stigma that affects their ability to move forward after seeking residential addiction treatment. At St. Joseph [...]
What’s the Connection Between Gaslighting and Alcohol Use Disorders?
Gaslighting is a manipulative psychological tactic where a person tries to make someone doubt their own thoughts, feelings, and perceptions. The term comes from a 1938 play titled "Gas Light," written by British playwright Patrick Hamilton and later adapted into [...]
The Relationship Between PTSD and Addiction
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is most often associated with military veterans, but this serious mental health condition can develop in any person who has experienced a traumatic event. Many people with PTSD turn to drugs and alcohol to self-medicate their [...]
Bipolar Disorder and Substance Abuse Are Often Connected
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 2.8% of U.S. adults suffered from bipolar disorder in the past year. An estimated 82.9% of these individuals were considered to be seriously impaired, which is the highest impairment percentage [...]
What Should I Do if My Loved One Refuses to Acknowledge Their Addiction?
Watching a parent, child, friend, or other loved one struggle with a drug or alcohol addiction is like standing at the edge of a turbulent ocean. The ebb and flow of their battles mirrors the relentless push and pull of [...]
Celebrate National Recovery Month by Taking the First Steps Toward a Brighter Future
National Recovery Month is an annual observance held in the United States every September. First celebrated in 1989, its purpose is to increase understanding of substance use disorders, celebrate individuals who are in recovery, and promote the benefits of treatment. [...]
5 Common Co-occurring Mental Illnesses
Addiction doesn't exist in isolation. It frequently shares a close bond with other mental health disorders, leading to what professionals refer to as co-occurring disorders or dual diagnoses. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 37.9% of people with [...]
Sober Dating: Finding Love Without Drugs or Alcohol
f you're used to relying on drugs or alcohol as a social lubricant, the thought of dating while sober might seem a bit overwhelming. There's no need to resign yourself to spending the rest of your life alone, however. Sober [...]
Mental Health and Creativity in Addiction Recovery
"Creativity is the ability to look at the ordinary and see the extraordinary." ~ Dewitt Jones Recovery is a time of new beginnings. As you break free from the burden of substance abuse, the world around you will start to [...]
