Harder to Hide The signs of addiction are often very subtle—especially in the early stages of a substance use disorder. This means that in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, they can be easy to miss. One unexpected effect of the COVID-19 pandemic is that quarantine restrictions have made it easier to spot potential [...]
Sober Support Networks Building a strong sober support network is one of the most important ways you can create the foundation for lasting sobriety. When you're not able to visit friends and family in person, staying connected can be a challenge. However, St. Joseph Institute for Addiction has compiled this list of fun ways you [...]
It's not always easy to tell if someone is struggling with a substance use disorder. Since the condition is classified as a chronic and progressive illness, someone can appear to be quite functional to the casual observer yet still have significant problems related to their drug or alcohol use. Understanding Terms If you are worried [...]
Talking to teens about substance abuse is never easy, but the conversation often proves particularly challenging for parents in recovery. At St. Joseph Institute for Addiction, we know that breaking the cycle of addiction is a top priority for many of the parents in our Pennsylvania drug and alcohol addiction treatment program. In this post, [...]
Women and Addiction Women who struggle with addiction often deal with intense guilt and shame regarding the impact their substance abuse has had on their children. However, it's important to realize that every mother worries about her parenting skills. Children don't come with instruction manuals, so we're all simply doing the best we can. At [...]
Although there's nothing wrong with dinner and a movie, sometimes you want a new sober date idea—especially if you're planning an outing for Valentine's Day, your anniversary, your sweetheart's birthday, or another special occasion. The team at St. Joseph Institute has put together this list of fun sober date ideas in the State College area [...]
Evidence-based addiction treatment helps build the foundation for a lasting recovery, but it's understandable to worry about how to afford the care you need. However, there are many options available—regardless of whether you have access to private health insurance coverage. Paying for Treatment with Insurance The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, often referred to [...]
Unfortunately, graduating from residential treatment doesn't mean your substance use disorder has been cured. Addiction is considered a chronic disease, which means the condition must be continually managed to reduce the risk of relapse. The Chronic Nature of Addiction Chronic diseases are much more common than you might expect. According to the Centers for Disease [...]
True recovery involves more than mere abstinence. Someone who has quit drinking, but has yet to embrace the characteristics associated with a wellness-focused sober lifestyle, is sometimes referred to by others in recovery as a dry drunk. The term dry drunk is an oxymoron, meaning that a person is behaving in ways that are associated [...]
What's the best way to handle a friend or family member's substance abuse? Your first impulse may be to try to "save" your loved one, but there's a fine line between helping and enabling. Understanding how to avoid enabling will make it easier to encourage your loved one to get the treatment they need. Acknowledge [...]
