The word “dialectical” is an adjective that can be used to describe the discussion of opinions and ideas—sometimes the ones we have of ourselves. The word “cognitive” describes the process of forming an understanding of something through your thoughts, experiences,
Suicide risk tends to grow when genetic, physical, and environmental conditions start stacking on top of each other. But understanding those layers can actually empower you to escape suicide’s grasp and open doors for support, earlier care, and intervention that
Recovery can feel surprisingly lonely, even when the people you love are constantly rooting for you. Plus, having visitors in recovery may not alleviate the feeling that something’s missing. But when peers who suffer from substance use disorder (SUD) step
You’ve probably wondered what visiting a loved one in residential treatment is really like—what you can bring, what you can say, and whether it even helps. Picture this: a warm hug after weeks apart, a simple note slipped into a
If you have not experienced the disease of addiction, you may feel unsure of how to talk about it. For example, what do you call someone who struggles with addiction? Our culture tends to use words like “addict,” “alcoholic,” and
We have exciting news for musicians, music lovers, and anyone in recovery who wants to make music a deeper part of their lives. Our Iowa-based recovery center staff is here to tell our clients that music can be scientifically applied,
At the moment, lawmakers in Iowa are pushing for more federal support as they battle the fentanyl crisis and race to support residents in need. If opioids and drug use impact you, you’re not alone. St. Gregory Recovery Center offers
Spring is swiftly approaching and with it: spring cleaning. Out with the old, in with the new: you know the drill. It may seem like a major chore, transitioning from the winter to the spring—but what if spring cleaning connected
Your tummy and brain are in constant conversation, a never-ending gut-brain chatter that scientists often call the gut-brain axis. These conversations impact your body’s overall function, including your moods, mental health, and recovery experience. Research shows that your gut’s microbiome,
Researchers have recently released several warnings against drinking, referencing major concerns over alcohol’s carcinogenic characteristics and its generally negative health consequences. The warnings resurfaced just before January began, along with the incentive to enter a worldwide, month-long challenge to drop
Halloween celebrations are often a core childhood memory for people across the nation. Well into adulthood, people can recall their most frightening costumes, their biggest candy stashes, and the scents and temperatures of the cold fall nights of trick-or-treating. However,
How important is your diet when it comes to overall mental health, physical strength, and immune system function? It may seem like a no-brainer, but the answer is: very! Our food can often directly influence our mood. In fact, medical
St. Gregory Recovery Center proudly provides alcohol and substance addiction recovery programs to the Bayard and Des Moines communities, with both intensive outpatient and residential pathways to sobriety. We’re always interested in new, scientifically supported methods of treatment and therapies,
Bayard, IA – July 2, 2024—St. Gregory’s Recovery Center (St. Gregory’s), a 50-bed dual diagnosis treatment center with a free-standing outpatient facility providing treatment for substance use, trauma, and mental health disorders, is pleased to announce the launch of its
The Tactical Recovery Program is in your community! You Are Invited! Join us for an Open House at St. Gregory Recovery Rec Center 103 3rd St. Bayard, IA 50029 July 9th from 9:30a-11:30a The Tactical Recovery Program at St. Gregory’s
Employee Spotlight Sammarra Platt-Smith Business Office Manager I am the Business Office Manager at St. Gregory and Ivory Plains. I work with clients to understand insurance billing and their portion of payment. I also process Accounts payable which makes sure
Playtime isn’t just for kids—adults need to have fun regularly for the sake of their social, physical, and mental well-being. Luckily, the medical world takes play seriously, and extensive efforts have been made to research the neurological, emotional, and physical
In 1996, a popular kids’ film, Harriet the Spy, was released. It focused on an 11-year-old girl who observed the world around her and documented her judgments in a journal. When her journal is discovered by her friends, it causes
Are you angry and frustrated all the time? Have your behavior and poor choices made others angry with you? Anger is a state of feeling frustrated, irritated, or enraged after experiencing negative internal or external triggers. While anger is a
Social media is any internet platform that supports conversations, info-sharing, and web content creation for users. Social media is so much more than Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly called Twitter). Blogs, social networking sites and forums, podcasts, video and image-sharing
Are you more at risk for relapse at certain times of year or in certain situations? The honest answer is: yes. Relapse is a universal experience, but it finds us in unique ways and through triggers that may look or
When individuals in recovery hear the term resilience, they may think of a quality they don’t possess—or a challenge they doubt they’ll be able to overcome. What many don’t realize is that there’s an entire field of scientific research dedicated
Podcasts are almost always entertaining, often uplifting, many times educational, and, honestly, great for your mental health. They’re an awesome way to stay connected to others, stimulate your mind, and learn—all while driving, cleaning, exercising, or simply relaxing. We’ve chosen
Who was St. Valentine, and why does his name invoke a spirit of love and appreciation every year on February 14th? Some scholars say that Valentine could have been one of several people with the same name who was persecuted
If the word therapy sends you running for the hills, you’re not alone. At St. Gregory Recovery Center, we understand why many people feel hesitant to begin therapy. It’s intimidating to be vulnerable with a stranger, even when that person
If you are struggling with substance use and thinking about getting help, don’t let the holiday season delay your treatment. Even though it might seem selfish or wrong to skip out on all of the family activities in December so
As we approach the season of gift-buying and giving, the financial burden can feel a little overwhelming depending on the size of your family and friend group and their expectations. Even though it’s fun to exchange gifts, gift-giving can easily
It’s a beautiful time of year, as October comes to a colorful end and November brings shorter days and the welcome break of Thanksgiving. Whether you look forward to the holiday or not will depend on many things: your work
Everyone deserves love and mutual support, whether or not they’re recovering from a substance use disorder. However, when it comes to intimate relationships, it’s important to understand that not everyone will be comfortable dating someone in recovery. That stance should
Core Christian values could be widely disputed, but it’s probably safe to say that the foundation of Christianity is based on loving God—a higher power—and loving others as you love yourself. Forgiveness is also an essential aspect of Christianity; the
While completing St. Gregory’s addiction treatment program is an awesome achievement, sustaining your sobriety relies on community engagement for the best outcome. That’s why we specialize in bolstering your success with our intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) that include—but aren’t limited
Forgiveness is a loaded word. It has religious connotations and is associated with words like sin and repentance, both of which can feel problematic for many people. No one can tell you to forgive someone who has hurt you. Only