Clinical Terminology
The professional term for the condition previously referred to as "substance abuse" or "alcoholism."
What is Substance Use Disorder (SUD)?
The acronym used to remember common states that make you vulnerable to relapse, starting with H, A, L, T.
The act of using a simple strategy like deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation to feel calmer.
What is a relaxation skill?
A term for a person in recovery who provides guidance to someone newer to the process.
What is a sponsor?
The recovery slogan that reminds us not to worry about the future and focus only on today.
What is One Day at a Time?
A negative outcome of substance use, such as job loss, eviction, or legal trouble.
What is a consequence?
A strong, intense desire to use a substance.
What is a craving or urge?
The skill of removing yourself physically from a high-risk situation.
What is avoidance or leaving the situation?
A person who offers encouragement, understanding, and accountability to someone in recovery.
What is a support person or ally?
A decision to stop and think about the possible negative results of an action before you do it.
What is pausing or thinking it through?
The clinical state where the body must have a substance to function normally and avoids withdrawal.
What is physical dependence?
An event, person, place, or feeling that increases the risk of using.
What is a trigger?
Coping by engaging in enjoyable activities, like hobbies, movies, or exercise.
What is distraction?
A place where people in recovery meet to share experience, strength, and hope, such as AA or NA.
What is a support group/self-help group or fellowship?
The ability to accept a suggestion or try a new behavior, even if you are skeptical.
What is willingness?
The clinical term for when someone suddenly stops using a substance, resulting in physical symptoms.
What is withdrawal?
The stage of change where an individual has no intention of making a change in the near future.
What is Precontemplation?
The set of skills used to manage intense emotions without making the situation worse, such as "T.I.P.P." skills.
What is Temperature, Intense exercise, Paced breathing, and Progressive muscle relaxation? (Distress Tolerance skills)
An individual appointment focused on developing treatment goals and strategies.
What is individual counseling or therapy?
The ability to adjust your thoughts and focus on what you can control instead of what you cannot.
What is reframing?
The overall process of change where an individual is working to reduce or stop substance use and improve their life.
What is recovery?
A written guide or plan created to help someone deal with high-risk situations and cravings.
What is a relapse prevention plan?
A boundary-setting skill that involves expressing your needs or refusal firmly and clearly.
What is assertiveness?
A safe place to live that requires sobriety and offers structure for early recovery.
What is a sober living or halfway house?
The recovery saying that encourages seeking help and not trying to handle challenges alone.
What is "You don't have to do it alone" or "Ask for help"?