Core Addiction Terms
he medical diagnosis used instead of “addiction.”
What is Substance Use Disorder?
Not using mood-altering substances.
What is abstinence?
People, places, emotions, or situations that increase urges.
What are triggers?
The brain chemical strongly linked to reward and motivation.
What is dopamine?
Focusing only on staying sober today.
What is “one day at a time”?
This is the term for building a life so meaningful that substances no longer fit in it.
What is recovery?
When the body needs more of a substance to feel the same effect.
What is tolerance?
The ongoing process of healing and growth after addiction.
What is recovery?
Risk states meaning Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired.
What is HALT?
The brain’s ability to rewire and heal.
What is neuroplasticity?
A guide who supports someone in recovery.
What is a sponsor?
Physical or psychological symptoms that happen when use stops.
What is withdrawal?
A personal source of meaning or strength or something/someone you love MORE than yourself.
What is Higher Power?
The stage where coping weakens and isolation increases.
What is emotional relapse?
Long-lasting symptoms after detox.
What is PAWS (Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome)?
Replacing one addiction with another.
What is cross-addiction?
Strong urges or desires to use.
What are cravings?
A brief return to use that doesn’t fully restart old patterns.
What is a lapse (or slip)?
The internal debate about using.
What is mental relapse?
The system addiction hijacks to prioritize substances.
What is the reward system?
Repairing harm done in active addiction.
What is making amends?
When the body adapts to a substance and experiences withdrawal when it stops.
What is dependence?
The ongoing habits that protect long-term sobriety.
What is recovery maintenance?
The actual return to substance use.
What is physical relapse?
The body’s fight-or-flight system that can increase cravings.
What is the stress response?
Progress not _________
What is perfection?