Glossary
Addiction treatment glossary
The words you'll hear during treatment, explained plainly. Each term links to the page that covers it in depth.
A
- Acute withdrawal
The first and most intense stage of withdrawal, starting hours to days after someone stops or cuts back on a substance their body has come to depend on. Withdrawal from alcohol or benzodiazepines can be dangerous, including seizures, so it should be managed with medical care.
- Aftercare
The ongoing support a person has after finishing a more intensive level of treatment. An aftercare plan may include outpatient therapy, support groups, medication follow-up and other resources.
- Alcohol use disorder (AUD)
A medical condition in which a person has trouble stopping or controlling their drinking even when it causes problems with health, relationships, work or safety. It can range from mild to severe.
- ASAM criteria
Guidelines from the American Society of Addiction Medicine that clinicians use to decide what level of care fits a person's needs, such as detox, residential or outpatient treatment. They look at several areas, including withdrawal risk, physical and mental health, readiness for change and living situation.
B
- Benzodiazepine
A class of prescription sedative medicines, such as alprazolam, lorazepam, clonazepam and diazepam, often used for anxiety, panic or seizures. After regular use, stopping suddenly can cause serious withdrawal, including seizures, so tapering should be guided by a medical provider.
- Buprenorphine
An FDA-approved medication for opioid use disorder. It can ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings and is available in several forms, including a film or tablet that dissolves in the mouth and a monthly or weekly injection.
C
- Co-occurring disorders
Having a substance use disorder and a mental health condition, such as depression, anxiety or PTSD, at the same time. Treating both together, with one coordinated plan, is generally recommended.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
A structured talk therapy that helps people notice how their thoughts, feelings and actions affect one another. In addiction treatment, CBT focuses on recognizing triggers, managing cravings and building practical coping skills.
- Continuum of care
The range of treatment levels a person can move through as their needs change, from more intensive care like detox and residential treatment to less intensive outpatient care and aftercare.
- Cravings
Strong urges or desires to use a substance. Cravings are a common part of recovery, can be set off by stress or reminders of past use, and usually rise and fall rather than lasting forever. Therapy and, for some conditions, medication can help manage them.
D
- Detox
Short for detoxification: the process of safely clearing a substance from the body while managing withdrawal symptoms. Medically supervised detox provides monitoring and, when needed, medication. Detox is a first step, not a complete treatment on its own.
- Dual diagnosis
Another name for co-occurring disorders: a substance use disorder and a mental health condition happening at the same time.
F
- Family therapy
Therapy that includes the people close to someone in treatment, such as parents, partners or siblings. It focuses on understanding addiction, improving communication, setting healthy boundaries and supporting recovery.
- Fentanyl
A powerful synthetic opioid. Illegally made fentanyl is often mixed into other drugs, including counterfeit pills and stimulants, often without the person knowing, which greatly raises the risk of overdose.
H
- Harm reduction
Practical strategies that lower the health risks of substance use for people who are still using, such as carrying naloxone, never using alone and testing drugs for fentanyl. It meets people where they are, without judgment.
I
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
A structured treatment program with several hours of therapy a week while the person lives at home. It is often a step down after residential care or a starting point for people who don't need round-the-clock support.
M
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
Treatment that combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapy, mainly for opioid and alcohol use disorders. It is also called medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) when used for opioids.
- Methadone
An FDA-approved medication for opioid use disorder that eases withdrawal and cravings. When used to treat opioid use disorder, it is given through specially certified opioid treatment programs.
- Motivational interviewing (MI)
A respectful, collaborative way of talking that helps a person explore mixed feelings about change and find their own reasons to make it. The counselor listens and asks questions rather than lecturing or pushing.
- Mutual-support group
A peer-led group where people in recovery share experiences and support one another, such as 12-step groups or SMART Recovery. Many people use these groups as part of aftercare.
N
- Naloxone
An emergency medicine that can reverse an opioid overdose. It is available as a nasal spray, including without a prescription. Anyone who gives naloxone should still call 911, because more than one dose or further care may be needed.
- Naltrexone
An FDA-approved medication for both alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder. It is available as a daily pill or a monthly injection. For opioid use disorder, a person needs to be fully off opioids for a period of time before starting it.
O
- Opioid use disorder (OUD)
A medical condition involving a pattern of opioid use, such as heroin, fentanyl or prescription pain medicines, that a person has trouble controlling despite harm to their health or life. FDA-approved medications and therapy are both used to treat it.
- Overdose
When a person takes more of a substance, or a combination of substances, than the body can handle, causing serious harm or death. Signs of an opioid overdose include slow or stopped breathing, blue or gray lips and being unable to wake up. Call 911 right away.
P
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
A day treatment program that provides several hours of structured care on most days of the week while the person sleeps at home. It is more intensive than an intensive outpatient program and less intensive than residential treatment.
- Post-acute withdrawal (PAWS)
Symptoms some people notice for weeks or months after acute withdrawal ends, such as trouble sleeping, mood swings, low energy, anxiety or difficulty concentrating. They tend to come and go, and it helps to tell your care team about them.
R
- Recovery
An ongoing process of change through which people improve their health and well-being, live a self-directed life and work toward their full potential. Recovery looks different for everyone.
- Relapse
A return to substance use after a period of not using. Relapse can be part of the recovery process for many people and is a signal to revisit or adjust treatment, not a sign of failure. Because tolerance drops after a break, it can also raise the risk of overdose.
- Residential treatment
Live-in treatment where a person stays at a treatment center around the clock and takes part in therapy, groups and other care in a structured, supportive setting. Sometimes called inpatient rehab.
S
- Stimulant
A type of drug that speeds up activity in the brain and body, such as cocaine, methamphetamine and prescription medicines like Adderall. There are currently no FDA-approved medications for stimulant use disorder, so treatment centers on behavioral therapies.
- Substance use disorder (SUD)
A treatable medical condition in which a person keeps using alcohol or drugs despite harm to their health, relationships or daily life. It can range from mild to severe, and is the clinical term for what many people call addiction.
T
- Tolerance
When the body gets used to a substance, so a person needs more of it to feel the same effect. Tolerance drops after a period without using, which is why returning to a previous amount can lead to overdose.
- Trigger
A person, place, feeling, situation or memory that sets off cravings or the urge to use. Learning to recognize and plan for triggers is a core part of therapy and relapse prevention.
W
- Withdrawal
The physical and emotional symptoms that happen when someone stops or cuts back on a substance their body has come to depend on. Symptoms depend on the substance and can range from uncomfortable to life-threatening, so medical guidance is important.