Drug classifications
Drugs that speed up the central nervous system (e.g., cocaine, nicotine, caffeine).
Stimulants
The difference between the body physically needing a substance (tolerance/withdrawal) and psychological or behavioral addiction.
Dependence vs. Addiction
he return to substance use after a period of abstinence, often triggered by stress or specific cues.
What is a relapse?
This severe psychological state, often experienced during withdrawal, is defined by an absolute inability to feel pleasure from everyday activities.
What is anhedonia?
What is H.A.L.T. stand for?
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired.
Highly addictive pain-relieving substances derived from the opium poppy or synthesized (e.g., heroin, morphine, fentanyl).
Opioids / Opiates:
Key biological markers that show how the body adapts to a substance and how it reacts when the substance is removed.
Tolerance & Withdrawal
This term describes when a person has both a substance use disorder and a mental health condition, like depression or anxiety, at the same time.
What is a co-occurring disorder (or comorbidity)
This type of therapy helps patients identify and challenge negative thoughts to push back against reward devaluation.
What is CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
This slogan encourages sharing your struggles with a sponsor or group rather than keeping secrets that fuel addiction.
What is You're only as sick as your secrets?
Mind-altering substances that affect perception and thought (e.g., marijuana, LSD).
Cannabinoids & Hallucinogens
what does BAC stand for?
Blood Alcohol Concentration
This life-saving nasal spray acts as an opioid antagonist, instantly blocking opioid receptors to reverse an overdose.
What is Narcan (Naloxone)
is an evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help people heal from the distress, emotional intensity, and lingering symptoms caused by PTSD, anxiety, and depression. While holding a disturbing memory or trigger in your mind, you follow your therapist's finger moving back and forth across your field of vision. Other sensory inputs, like alternating hand taps or rhythmic sounds, may also be used.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
This reassuring phrase reminds newcomers that painful or overwhelming emotions are temporary and will eventually clear up.
What is This too shall pass?
Common household products (like aerosols or glue) that produce psychoactive vapors. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
Inhalents
his primary "feel-good" neurotransmitter is released in the brain's reward circuit when drugs and alcohol are used.
What is dopamine?
This monthly injectable medication blocks the euphoric effects of opioids and alcohol by binding tightly to opioid receptors without triggering a high.
What is Vivitrol
An electromagnetic coil is placed gently against the patient's scalp. It emits brief magnetic pulses that pass through the skull and trigger tiny electrical signals in targeted brain cells, helping to reduce symptoms. treatment for Major Depressive Disorder in patients who have not responded to standard antidepressant medications.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Representing the core foundation of a successful recovery, this acronym stands for Honesty, Open-mindedness, and Willingness.
What is H.O.W.?
Substances that slow down brain activity, often used to treat anxiety or sleep disorders (e.g., alcohol, benzodiazepines).
Depressants
This vital internal organ—the main site of alcohol metabolism—can suffer from severe inflammation, blackouts, and cirrhosis.
What is the liver?
This life-threatening condition occurs when alcohol withdrawal causes severe tremors, hallucinations, and high blood pressure.
What are Delirium Tremens (DTs)?
what is the word for Excessive or uncontrollable worry, a sense of impending danger, and difficulty concentration, including Increased heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating, trembling, muscle tension, and fatigue.
Anxiety
what does the acronym FEAR stand for?
"False Evidence Appearing Real"