Understanding Addiction: Key Terms Explained

By familiarizing yourself with these mental health and addiction terms, you can enhance your understanding of the complexities surrounding these subjects. Remember that seeking professional help and support is crucial for individuals dealing with dual diagnosis, co-occurring disorders, or engaging in self-medication. Through proper treatment and a comprehensive approach, individuals can work towards recovery and improved mental well-being. It is important to address both the addiction and the mental health disorder simultaneously in order to provide comprehensive and effective treatment.

addiction recovery terms

What is a partial hospitalization program (PHP)? Is it outpatient?

Since many of these individuals go to work while intoxicated, they generally have someone enabling them. Whether it’s a relative bringing them to work, a co-worker covering for them or a boss that allows them to drink, this can only go on for so long. An enabler may also keep secrets in order to protect the addict, make excuses for their behavior, blame others, bail them out of jail, ignore the problem and more.

What techniques can be used for practicing self-reflection in the recovery process?

Choosing the right support group or program is a personal decision, and it may take some trial and error to find the right fit. Dual diagnosis refers to the presence of both a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder occurring simultaneously in an individual. This term recognizes the interconnectedness between addiction and mental health, as individuals with substance use disorders often experience co-occurring mental health issues. Insufficient funding, lack of trained professionals, and stigma exacerbate the difficulties in providing adequate trauma services within addiction treatment programs. As a result, many individuals with a history of trauma may continue to cycle through treatment without addressing the root sober house causes of their substance use.

Sober

Therapy, also known as counseling or psychotherapy, is an essential component of addiction treatment. It involves a one-on-one relationship between a trained therapist and an individual seeking help for their addiction. Therapists utilize various evidence-based techniques and approaches to address the underlying issues contributing to addiction. While self-medication may provide temporary relief, it often exacerbates the underlying problems and can lead to the development of addiction. It is essential to recognize self-medication as a sign that there may be underlying mental health issues that need to be addressed through professional treatment and support.

12-step programs, like Alcoholics https://appsychology.com/living-in-a-sober-house/ Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, have their own special language. “One day at a time,” “Higher Power,” and “Serenity Prayer” are all part of the 12-step lexicon. Inpatient and outpatient treatment are two different approaches to addiction care. Inpatient treatment is like going to drug rehab summer camp – you live at the facility and receive round-the-clock care.

Retired Professional Drinker

An addict may be told time and time again by their family members that they need help but denial can hinder their progress. Until they actively seek help themselves and understand that there is a problem, an addict will continue to be consumed by addiction. Denial is a large component of addiction as addicts often make every excuse to keep using. They deny that there is a problem, they deny how severe their condition is and they deny that treatment is necessary.

Rehabilitation, often referred to as rehab, is the comprehensive treatment process that follows detoxification. It focuses on addressing the underlying causes of addiction and equipping individuals with the necessary tools and skills to achieve and maintain sobriety. The benefits of trauma recovery in terms of self-perception are significant. Engaging in recovery allows individuals to re-envision their identity and foster a renewed sense of self-worth.

By participating in support groups, individuals can benefit from the collective wisdom and encouragement of others who have faced similar struggles. These groups foster a sense of community, accountability, and shared understanding that can aid in the recovery process. When co-occurring disorders are present, it is essential to address each disorder individually, as well as the interaction between them. Integrated treatment approaches that target both disorders simultaneously have been shown to be the most effective in promoting recovery and improving overall well-being.

Does Drinking Alcohol Make You Gain Weight

In general, privacy rule guidelines ensure medical providers, offices, insurers, and others do not view or share a patient’s health records without their prior consent or knowledge. PHPs are outpatient programs, but they do involve an intensive amount of weekly treatment (3–7 days per week of treatment in blocks of 6–8 hours each). ESH stands for “Experience, Strength and Hope.” This is an inspirational slogan that is expressed during the 12-step program. It creates strong cravings to drink and continue with one’s drinking routine, despite the problems it is causing in one’s life. An alcoholic may lose their job and custody of their children but still continue to drink. Often used as a holistic practice to promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, which can be beneficial in recovery and sobriety contexts.

addiction recovery terms

The age at which a person develops or acquires or experiences a condition or symptom of a disease such as addiction. Never Alone Recovery restores connections severed by addiction through a variety of services with which individuals (and their loved ones) can return to a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle. The below recovery terms describe different types of therapies that may be used in addiction treatment. Addiction recovery is a broad concept in healthcare, consisting of a variety of treatment and recovery terms specific to the field. We hope that this list of addiction recovery terms will help you in your journey.

  • Binge use and chronic use are two different, but equally problematic, patterns of substance use.
  • The world of addiction recovery truly has its own language and uses terms, words and phrases that you may not understand.
  • Physical dependence and psychological dependence are two different beasts, although they often show up to the party together.
  • Aftercare, or continuing care, is the stage of ongoing recovery efforts that follow the completion of a more intensive or structured treatment program.
  • Support systems are vital for addiction recovery, acting as a source of positive peer pressure and encouragement.
  • The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) are great places to start.

Relapse is often considered a part of lifelong recovery, with many individuals recovering from addiction facing a consistently high risk of relapse due to certain brain alterations caused by chronic substance use 4. It refers to a return to substance use after a period of abstinence or sobriety. Relapse can occur due to various factors such as triggers, stress, or underlying mental health conditions. Self-medication refers to the practice of using substances or engaging in certain behaviors as a means to cope with underlying emotional or psychological issues. Individuals may turn to drugs, alcohol, or other addictive behaviors as a way to alleviate symptoms of mental health disorders or to numb emotional pain. Rehabilitation programs can vary in duration and intensity, depending on the individual’s needs.

When discussing addiction recovery, it’s important to understand the distinction between abstinence and sobriety. While both terms relate to refraining from substance use, they differ in their approach and overall impact on an individual’s life. When building a support system, it’s important to consider different options, such as joining a 12-step program or attending support groups. Choosing the right support group depends on personal preferences and finding a group that feels right for you.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *