Definitions and terms to know and understand

Please note this page is under construction.

12 - Step Program/Alcoholics Anonymous -

A group providing mutual support and fellowship for people recovering from addictive behaviors. The first 12-step program was Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), founded in 1935; an array of 12-step groups following a similar model have since emerged and are the most widely used mutual aid groups and steps for maintaining recovery from alcohol and drug use disorders.

Abstinence -

Not using alcohol, drugs, or engaging in an addictive behavior.

ACoA/ACA -

An abbreviation for Adult Children of Alcoholics. A support group (based upon the 12 steps and traditions of AA) for adults who grew up in alcoholic or dysfunctional families.

Addict -

A stigmatizing slang term for an individual exhibiting a compulsive, chronic, physiological, or psychological need for a substance, behavior, or activity.

Addiction -

The most severe form of substance use disorder, associated with compulsive or uncontrolled use of one or more substances. Addiction is a chronic brain disease that has the potential for both recurrence (relapse) and recovery.

Agonist/partial agonist -

A drug that binds to and activates a receptor. A partial agonist has lower efficacy than a full agonist. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist.

Alcoholism -

The American Medical Association defines alcoholism or alcohol dependence as a “Primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations.”

Alanon -

A voluntary self-help support program that supports family members of addicts or alcoholics.  The principles of the program are based upon the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions of AA.

Amends/Making an Amends -

In 12-step programs, the concept of making amends involves apologizing to the people an individual has hurt in the past and taking responsibility for their actions and mistakes.

Amphetamine -

A stimulant that can be used to treat symptoms of ADHD, however, can be highly addictive and easily abused.

Analgesics

A class of drugs that are designed to relieve pain without causing the loss of consciousness.

Antagonist

An antagonist is a drug that acts against and blocks an action. It is the opposite of the agonist. Narcan, “the overdose revival drug,” is an antagonist.

Behavioural addiction -

An addiction to a behavior such as gambling, overeating, shopping, or sex. These addictions are similar to drug addiction, except that the individual is not addicted to a substance, but he/she is addicted to the behavior or the feeling experienced by acting out the behavior.

Big Book -

A term used to describe the “basic text” of Alcoholics Anonymous. The foundational book of the AA program outlines How the program works and includes inspiring personal stories of recovery.

Boundaries -

Personal boundaries are the limits and rules we set for ourselves within relationships. A person with healthy boundaries can say “no” to others when they want to, but they are also comfortable opening themselves up to intimacy and close relationships. A person who always keeps others at a distance (whether emotionally, physically, or otherwise) is said to have rigid boundaries. Alternatively, someone who tends to get too involved with others has porous boundaries. - Provided by TherapistAid.com.

Brain Fog -

A non-medical term to describe a range of cognitive symptoms that can include forgetfulness and problems focusing, concentrating, paying attention, and problem-solving.

Buprenorphine/Naloxone/Suboxone -

A medication used to treat opioid use disorder must be prescribed or dispensed by a doctor.

Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) -

Used to determine the severity of opioid withdrawal

Closed Meetings -

AA meetings that are only open to members, or those who desire to quit their alcohol use.

Codependency -

A term often used to describe a family member’s or friend’s suffering that results from taking on or taking responsibility for another person’s actions or illness and helps that person avoid facing his or her problems.

Comorbidity -

Two disorders or illnesses within the same person. Also referred to as dual diagnosis.

Crisis Intervention -

A term to describe efforts to encourage an individual to seek treatment. These efforts are often performed with a group of the individual’s family, friends, or coworkers.

Cross-Dependence -

The ability of one drug to prevent the withdrawal symptoms of one’s physical dependence on another. Also, a controversial theory of thought is that if one is addicted to one mood-altering substance, they are addicted to ALL mood-altering substances.

Dependence -

A state in which an organism only functions normally in the presence of a substance, experiencing physical disturbance when the substance is removed. A person can be dependent on a substance without being addicted, but dependence sometimes leads to addiction.

Depressants -

Drugs that act on the Central Nervous System and slow down the brain and body.

D.O.C -

An abbreviation for “Drug Of Choice.”

Dopamine -

A chemical/hormone produced naturally by the body functions in the brain as a neurotransmitter to provide feelings of well-being.

Denial -

One’s failure to either admit or realize their addiction or to recognize and accept the harm it can cause.

Doctor Shopping -

Occurs when a patient requests care simultaneously from multiple physicians without their knowledge in order to receive higher amounts of medications

Drug Diversion -

A medical and legal concept involving the transfer of any legally prescribed controlled substance from the person for whom it was prescribed to another person for any illicit use.

Dry Drunk -

A term used to describe a person who has stopped drinking but has not changed anything else in terms of behavior or life.

DSM-V-TR

The handbook most often used for diagnosing mental disorders is sponsored by the American Psychiatry Association.

Dual-Diagnosis -

A term used to describe an individual who has another mental health diagnosis along with their Substance Use Disorder.

Dysfunctional Family -

A term to describe a family where there is chronic conflict, misbehavior, or abuse. Neglect, secrecy, addiction, and denial are also common examples of dysfunction in a family. Families often adapt to these characteristics by adopting dysfunctional patterns of behavior; the roles of family members may change or be inconsistent.

Enabling/Enabler -

A term to describe helping an addicted person do things they can or should be doing for themselves, which unintentionally causes disease progression. Someone whose behavior allows a loved one to continue self-destructive patterns of behavior.

Endorphins

Endorphins are hormones and neurotransmitters, often called the body’s natural painkillers.  Produced in the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus

Ethanol -

The beverage type (ethyl) of alcohol.

Family Disease -

Addiction is referred to as a Family Disease because it affects the entire family system as a whole and all members within it.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome -

Birth defects/abnormalities in babies of alcoholic and alcohol-abusing mothers.

Fentanyl -

A powerful synthetic opioid. It is similar to morphine but is up to 100 times more potent.

Functioning alcoholic -

A term used to describe a person who suffers from alcoholism but is able to maintain their job and function occupationally.

Halfway House -

A halfway house is a type of recovery residence for those transitioning from a more intensive drug or alcohol rehabilitation facility to living on their own and back into society.

Impact Letter

A tool often used by therapists or drug and alcohol rehab facilities. The letter is written to the individual with a S.U.D. by a friend or family member, and it describes all the ways that an individual’s addiction has impacted them.

Inner Child -

A non-medical term for a person's supposed original or true self, especially when regarded as damaged or affected by negative childhood experiences or trauma.

Inner Child Healing -

Inner child healing is an approach to recognizing and healing childhood trauma. .It recognizes that our behaviors as adults stem from our childhood experiences. Inner child work focuses on addressing our unmet needs by reparenting ourselves.

I.O.P. -

An abbreviation that stands for Intensive Outpatient Treatment.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) -

The use of medications in conjunction with counseling and behavioral therapies. MAT can be effective in the treatment of opioid use disorders and can help people sustain recovery.

Methadone -

A long-acting opiate (synthetically produced). Methadone is used to treat dependence on heroin or other opioids and is administered on an ongoing basis.

Microdosing -

Microdosing psychedelics is the practice of consuming very low, sub-hallucinogenic doses of a psychedelic substance, such as LSD or psilocybin-containing mushrooms. Microdosing has grown in popularity, yet the scientific literature contains minimal research on this practice.

Naloxone/Narcan -

A synthetic drug, similar to morphine, which blocks opiate receptors in the nervous system. It can reverse overdose from opioids. Sold commonly under the brand name Narcan

Naltrexone -

A medication primarily used to manage alcohol or opioid use disorder by reducing cravings and blocking the action of opiates.

Open Meetings -

AA meetings that are open to members and those outside of AA. This may include family members, students, educators, or individuals who have been court-ordered to make AA meetings.

Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) -

SAMHSA-certified program, usually comprising a facility, staff, administration, patients, and services, that engages in supervised assessment and treatment, using methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone, of individuals who have opioid use disorders. An OTP can exist in a number of settings, including but not limited to intensive outpatient, residential, and hospital settings. Services may include medically supervised withdrawal and/or maintenance treatment, along with various levels of medical, psychiatric, psychosocial, and other types of supportive care.

Oxycodone -

A semi-synthetic narcotic drug used to relieve moderate to severe pain. It is similar to morphine in its effects. and is highly addictive.

Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) -  

The second phase of withdrawal symptoms after initial acute withdrawal. These symptoms may mirror those experienced in the first stage of acute withdrawal or may involve more of the psychological and emotional aspects of withdrawal. Depending on the duration and intensity of alcohol or other drug addiction, this secondary withdrawal syndrome can occur a few weeks into recovery or a few months down the road.

Rapid Detox

Anesthesia-assisted detoxification (injection of high doses of an opiate antagonist, followed by an infusion of naloxone)

Relapse -

The return to alcohol or drug use after a significant period of abstinence.

Relapse Prevention -

Relapse Prevention is a comprehensive approach that aids individuals in recovery by identifying triggers, situations, or internal cognitive distortions that place the person at greater risk for relapse or failure to maintain sobriety.

SAMHSA -

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation.

Service Work -

Service Work is essentially the volunteer work that one provides to others with the intent of carrying the message of hope and recovery to them. Service Work is different for everyone, and it does not have to be a grand effort. It can range from making coffee at meetings to participating in Interventions.

Sober House -

A type of group home that helps people with addiction work through the process of reintegrating back into society.

S.U.D. /Substance Use Disorder -

A medical illness caused by repeated misuse of a substance or substances. According to the Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), substance use disorders are characterized by clinically significant impairments in health, social function, and impaired control over substance use and are diagnosed through assessing cognitive, behavioral, and psychological symptoms. Substance use disorders range from mild to severe and from temporary to chronic. They typically develop gradually over time with repeated misuse, leading to changes in brain circuits governing incentive salience (the ability of substance-associated cues to trigger substance seeking), reward, stress, and executive functions like decision-making and self-control. Note: Severe substance use disorders are commonly called addictions.

Substance Use Disorder Treatment -

A service or set of services that may include medication, counseling, and other supportive services designed to enable an individual to reduce or eliminate alcohol and/or other drug use, address associated physical or mental health problems, and restore the patient to maximum functional ability.

Sublingual -

Drugs that enter the blood through membranes under the tongue.

Synthetic -

Not naturally occurring. Synthetic drugs strive to mimic the effects of existing illicit drugs such as cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy. Common synthetic drugs include bath salts, Fentanyl, Carfentanyl, Pink, and Flakka.

Trigger -

Anything that results in psychological and then physical relapse. Triggers can be people, scents, places, harmful substances, or anything that fuels the craving for a substance, addictive behavior, or a craving.

Withdrawal/Withdrawal Syndrome -

Combined reactions or behaviors that result from the abrupt cessation of a drug one is dependent on. Withdrawal from opiates generally occurs between 4 to 72 hours after cessation and may include symptoms of muscle aches, anxiety, excessive sweating, restless legs, nausea, and insomnia.

Initial alcohol withdrawal symptoms include headaches, nausea, anxiety, agitation, tremors, loss of appetite, and insomnia. In some cases, symptoms may include hallucinations, seizures, vomiting, delirium tremens (DTs), confusion, high blood pressure, and rapid heart rate. Seizures carry the risk of death for alcoholics.

References -

Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health. 2016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424856/#:~:text=alcohol%20or%20drugs.-,Addiction,recurrence%20(relapse)%20and%20recovery.

Psychedelic microdosing benefits and challenges: an empirical codebook. Harm Reduction Journal volume 16, Article number: 43 (2019) https://harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12954-019-0308-4