Addiction Treatment Terms Explained

Twelve-step programs are international mutual aid programs supporting recovery from substance addictions, behavioral addictions and compulsions. Developed in the 1930s, the first twelve-step program, Alcoholics Anonymous or AA was created. More information - www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3753023/ www.aa.org/the-twelve-steps

Addiction is a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences. www.asam.org/quality-care/definition-of-addiction

Alcohol rehabilitation is the process of medical or psychotherapeutic treatment for dependency on psychoactive substances such as alcohol.

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/

Drug rehabilitation is the process of medical or psychotherapeutic treatment for dependency on psychoactive substances such as drugs. wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_rehabilitation

If you have a dual diagnosis, that means that you have both a mental disorder and a substance use disorder (SUD), either with alcohol or drugs. A dual diagnosis is a type of comorbidity, which is when someone has two disorders at the same time. Another name for this is co-occurring disorders. medlineplus.gov/dualdiagnosis.html

An addiction intervention refers to someone's family or friends taking proactive steps to persuade the person to enter treatment for their addiction.

Substance use. Refers to the use of selected substances, including alcohol, tobacco products, drugs, inhalants, and other substances that can be consumed, inhaled, injected, or otherwise absorbed into the body with possible dependence and other detrimental effects. www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus/sources-definitions/substance-use.htm

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT therapy) is a type of mindful psychotherapy that helps you stay focused on the present moment and accept thoughts and feelings without judgment.

Attachment-based therapy aims to build or rebuild a trusting, supportive relationship that will help prevent or treat mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common type of talk therapy. CBT helps you become aware of inaccurate or negative thinking so you can view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them in a more effective way. www.apa.org

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of talk therapy (psychotherapy). It’s based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), but it’s specially adapted for people who experience emotions very intensely. my.clevelandclinic.org

Family systems therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps individuals resolve their problems in the context of their family units, where many problems are likely to begin. Each family member works together with the others to better understand their group dynamic and how their individual actions affect each other and the family unit as a whole. www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/family-systems-therapy

An addiction intervention refers to someone's family or friends taking proactive steps to persuade the person to enter treatment for their addiction.

Trauma-Focused Therapy is a specific approach to therapy that recognizes and emphasizes understanding how the traumatic experience impacts a child’s mental, behavioral, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. This type of therapy is rooted in understanding the connection between the trauma experience and the child’s emotional and behavioral responses.  cctasi.northwestern.edu/

Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) refers to a variety of treatments that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Most psychotherapy takes place one-on-one but they also occur with other patients in a group setting. www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies

Psychotherapy is a type of treatment that can help individuals experiencing a wide array of mental health conditions and emotional challenges. Psychotherapy can help not only alleviate symptoms, but also, certain types of psychotherapies can help identify the psychological root causes of one’s condition. www.psychiatry.org

Inpatient care is care provided in a hospital or other type of inpatient facility, where you are admitted, and spend full days and nights there. 

Outpatient rehab is the care you receive for several hours per day vs spending continuous days and nights in a facility. Outpatient therapy allows one to spend nights and parts of their days in their own home.

Online therapy allows for remote sessions through video calls, chats, or phone calls, providing convenience and accessibility. It eliminates geographical barriers and offers scheduling flexibility.