Entering the world of addiction recovery means being introduced to new information and terms you may not have been familiar with before. Whether you are struggling with a substance use disorder yourself or want to help a loved one who is, it’s important to know as much as you can about the world of recovery and terms that are commonly used by addiction professionals.
The words we use matter and have a big impact on those around us, especially when it comes to addiction. People with substance abuse disorders often feel stigmatized, and it’s important to use appropriate language when discussing addiction.
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Why Do We Need To Understand Addiction Terminology?
Understanding addiction terminology is empowering and can help you make more informed choices when you’re looking into treatment options. Even if you simply want to learn more about substance use disorders in general, using the correct words can help you understand addiction through a more compassionate lens.
Although the technical-sounding language can seem overwhelming at first, taking the time to familiarize yourself with common addiction terms pays off in the long run and can help you feel more at ease.
The Most Common Terms You Will Hear
The most common addiction terms you’ll hear in addiction and recovery circles are related to treatment in some way, whether it’s a popular form of therapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or different steps in the recovery journey.
Many of these terms are often abbreviated as well, so it is helpful to know how they are referred to, as a kind of useful shorthand.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Also known as CBT, cognitive-behavioral therapy is often used with great success in many addiction rehabilitation programs. CBT focuses on acknowledging how a person’s thoughts and feelings affect their behavior.
By recognizing disempowering thought patterns and beliefs, people struggling with addiction can begin to understand how negative or distorted thoughts have been influencing their actions, allowing them to choose differently.
Detox
Detox refers to the process of a person releasing their physical and chemical dependency on a substance and is an essential part of any treatment plan. Medically-assisted detox is offered by most treatment centers, as the detoxification process needs to be monitored by medical professionals who can help safely transition people off of the substance they were taking.
The detoxification process comes with unpleasant withdrawal symptoms and side effects, depending on the severity of the addiction and how long a person has been taking a substance.
Dual-Diagnosis
A dual diagnosis refers to someone that has a co-occurring substance use disorder and mental health disorder, such as anxiety or depression.
Treating people with a dual-diagnosis for both disorders at the same time was a breakthrough in the therapeutic process, and contributes to higher rates of long-term recovery as untreated mental health issues can drive addiction.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Intensive outpatient treatment programs are used to treat people struggling with substance abuse who do not require 24/7 in patient care or supervised medical detox.
Attending an IOP allows people to continue their daily lives while attending one on one and group therapy sessions. The length of an IOP will vary depending on the needs of each individual, but usually involves a significant time commitment to attend therapy and counseling sessions.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment allows people to receive treatment while they live at home and continue to work or attend school. The intensity of the level of outpatient care will depend on the needs of each person but is not appropriate for people struggling with severe addiction.
Outpatient care is also used to help transition people back into everyday life after attending a residential treatment program and provide them the support they need to thrive.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Partial hospitalization programs are an excellent choice for people who have already gone through detox and a residential care program but are not yet ready for outpatient care.
The intensity and structure of a PHP program involves up to six hours of daily therapy and counseling, including group therapy and support groups.
Relapse Prevention
Relapse prevention refers to the different strategies developed to help people stay sober once they graduate from a treatment program. These strategies include making sure you have a strong emotional support system in place, a healthy lifestyle, and a consistent mindfulness practice to reinforce the tools learned during treatment.
As is often discussed in recovery circles, a physical relapse is always preceded by an emotional and psychological relapse, which is why so much time in therapy is spent learning new skills to deal with triggers when they arise.
Residential Care
Residential care refers to inpatient programs where a person can receive care 24/7. Residential treatment programs can be anywhere from 30 days to 6 months long, depending on the needs of the individual.
Although not everyone struggling with addiction requires residential care, being in a supportive, healing environment without being exposed to potential addiction triggers is very beneficial and contributes to higher rates of successful recovery.
Substance Use Disorder
A substance use disorder is when someone misuses drugs or alcohol even when doing so negatively impacts their life and wellbeing.
A person has a substance use disorder when they have become physically dependent on drugs or alcohol and need to keep using to feel normal, even while their quality of life and ability to function may be falling apart.
Withdrawal
Withdrawal refers to how the body responds when a person stops using drugs or alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms can be physical, emotional, and psychological, and may include shaking, nausea, vomiting, paranoia, insomnia, anxiety, tremors, and more.
As a general rule, the more severe the addiction, the more severe the withdrawal process will be.