Denial can be a powerful coping mechanism when accepting reality seems too painful. Because addiction is often stigmatized, it's common for people with substance use disorders to be in denial about their condition. However, acknowledging the problem and being brave enough to ask for help is the only way to move forward. What Does Denial [...]
Recovery is a time of new beginnings. For many people, that includes reevaluating old friendships and cutting ties with anyone who isn't supportive of their newfound sobriety. Ending toxic relationships can be painful, but you're not destined to be alone forever. Here, we share some tips to help you make new friends who share your [...]
Graduating from residential treatment is an important milestone in your recovery journey. As you prepare to return to independent living, you'll need to work on putting the skills you learned in residential treatment to work in the real world. Here, the treatment team at St. Joseph Institute for Addiction shares some tips that can help [...]
When most people think of the abuse of prescription medications, they imagine individuals who are struggling with an addiction to opioid painkillers. However, benzodiazepines also have a significant potential for abuse and addiction. What Are Benzos? Benzodiazepines, often simply called benzos, are a class of prescription drugs most commonly used to treat anxiety. However, they [...]
If this is your first summer in recovery, you may be wondering how you'll fill those long days without alcohol. Pop culture has programmed us to romanticize drinking as a crucial part of summertime fun, but the truth is that summer is 100% better when you're sober. When your mind, body, and spirit are healthy, [...]
Suicide & Substance Abuse According to the CDC, suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. There were 45,979 deaths as a result of suicide in 2020—the equivalent of about one death every 11 minutes. Many factors affect a person's suicide risk, including poverty, childhood trauma, bullying, and a family history of [...]
The relationship between trauma and substance use disorders is complex, but there's no doubt that experiencing a traumatic event can be a trigger for drug or alcohol abuse in vulnerable individuals. Thus, trauma-informed care can be beneficial in promoting a lasting recovery. How Trauma Leads to Substance Abuse Some of the different types of traumas [...]
Ecstasy tablets often look like candy, but they're definitely not a harmless treat. These brightly colored tablets are frequently decorated with imprints of cartoon characters or product logos and sold on stretchy candy necklaces to be worn at raves or concerts. However, the hallucinogenic and stimulant effects of the drug can lead to a wide [...]
The term club drugs is often used to refer to drugs that are primarily used at nightclubs, concerts, bars, parties, and raves. LSD, GHB, Rohypnol, ketamine, ecstasy (MDMA), and methamphetamine are some examples of common club drugs. Club Drug Dangers Young people who experiment with club drugs out of a desire to fit in, unwind, [...]
Cocaine is a powerful and highly addictive stimulant made from the coca plant that is native to South America. It is most often sold as a fine white powder that is snorted into the nose, rubbed into the gums, or dissolved in water and injected with a needle. The drug can also be found as [...]
