Recovery can be hard enough without having to learn a new language. Listed below are some definitions and descriptions of Alcoholism and Addiction recovery terms.
AA Glossary
Big Book Definitions
Misc.
12 Step Groups
The 12 Step groups are the best known of the recovery support groups. Based on Alcoholics Anonymous, addicts attend support meetings where, one way or another, the 12 Steps are discussed. Those committed to recovery adopt the ideas that by them selves, addicts are powerless over their addiction, and that by working the 12 Steps their addiction can be arrested.
There are literally dozens of 12 Step Groups. The best known are probably Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), but almost every popular addictive drug also has its own group, including Cocaine Anonymous, Marijuana Anonymous, Crystal Meth Anonymous, etc. There are often subsets of these groups, like women only, gay and lesbian, men only, etc.
All of them use Alcoholics Anonymous’ 12 Steps, substituting the words alcohol and alcoholism for the drug they are dealing with. [jon, we could insert all 12 steps here if you want.]
Membership in 12 Step groups is informal. The only requirement is a desire to stop using the addictive drug and a member becomes a member simply by expressing this desire. There are no membership records kept. A key principal for 12 Steps group is anonymity for members. People can attend without fear that their addiction will be revealed to anyone outside the group. There are no costs associated with membership in a 12 Step group although the groups do accept voluntary contributions to meet their expenses.
Meetings range from small groups of two or three members to groups in large metropolitan areas that claim 500 members or more. The style of meetings ranges from speaker meetings, where one or two people share their stories from a podium, to discussion and step studies, which invite participation from those present.
Meeting schedules and directions to meetings can be found on the web. In many communities, 12 step groups are also listed in the white pages of the telephone book, usually listed by the name of the substance they address.
Related links:
12 Step Resources
A
Addiction
Addiction is the compulsive need for habit-forming substances like tobacco, drugs or alcohol. Addiction is both physical (physiological) and mental (psychological). An individual suffering from an addiction, also known as an addict, is driven by both physical and mental needs to continue using the addictive substance, regardless of the consequences.
It’s impossible to tell in advance if someone will become addicted to a particular substance or not. While statistics show that, for example, children of alcoholics are more like to become addicted to alcohol, not all of them end up with a drinking problem. Some drugs, however, are apparently more immediately addictive than others. Crack addicts often say they became addicted after the first or second use. Given these uncertainties, the only way one can be sure they won’t become addicted is to never even try the substance.
The only solution for the addict is to quit using the substance entirely. This is most often successfully accomplished through some sort of treatment program. Treatment programs range from self-help groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, and other 12 Step Groups, through formal programs using medical detox and requiring a stay in a treatment center. Most treatment centers draw on the 12 Steps as part of their treatment. The result of successful treatment is the ability to totally abstain from the drug(s) of choice and live a comfortable, productive life.
The addict who continues to use often ends up locked up in either prison or mental hospitals, or dead. Addiction is considered a terminal disease unless the addiction is interrupted through successful abstaining from the drug(s) of choice.
Related links:
Alcoholism and Addiction
Adolescent Treatment
The goals of adolescent treatment are the same as treatment for the general, adult population—detox, therapy and education that stop the addictive behavior and help the client grow up. Because of the client’s ages, however, the approach is different. Generally, teenagers are grouped by age; the most common groupings are 13-17 and 18-mid-20s. Some adolescent treatment centers require special evaluation for boys who are 13 or 14 to assess their ability to benefit from the program.
Although outpatient adolescent treatment is available, there is general agreement that a residential stay of at least 30 days is preferable for many teens and some programs run nine months or even longer. The theory is that adolescent drug abuse is often at least in part a response to family dynamics. By removing the teenager from the family, both the family and the adolescent have an opportunity to heal. Most centers also provide help for the family in the form of meetings and, sometimes, group therapy sessions. Structured visits by family members are usually considered an important part of the healing process.
Given the length of stay, the center also has to continue the academic education of the client as well as help them deal with their addiction. Most have arrangements with their state’s department of education to assure the teenager will receive proper credit.
Many adolescent treatment centers include vigorous outdoor activities, including wilderness camping, working with horses and other livestock, etc., as a way to help the teen learn self-reliance and mutual support, as well as personal growth through adventure. There are, however, programs based in urban areas.
The 12 Step model is used by many treatment centers and these centers may include trips to outside 12 Step meetings.
Some adolescent treatment centers deal with addiction only, while others will work with dual diagnosed teens and teens with health problems.
Related links:
Adolescent Treatment
Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Help and Information
Al-anon
Al-Anon is an international program whose purpose is to support the family and friends of those recovering from alcoholism. It was founded because it is generally accepted that the family of an alcoholic tends to be dysfunctional and also needs recovery.
Al-Anon’s program is the same 12 Steps as Alcoholics Anonymous, but family and friends recognize they are powerless over the alcohol their alcoholic consumes, and, in fact, are also powerless over the alcoholic. The basic text of Al-Anon is One Day At A Time in Al-Anon. Al-Anon members meet regularly to share their experience strength and hope.
Meetings or groups are found in 115 countries around the world. They range in size from a few people, to as many as 25 or more. Most groups meet once a week. Meeting styles include: speaker meetings where one or two members share the story of their recovery from a podium; discussion meetings where members share their experience with a particular topic, and step studies where members discuss their experience working with the 12 Steps.
Membership in Al-Anon is informal. The only requirement for membership is that one has a family member or friend who is alcoholic. Anonymity is taken seriously, protecting both the Al-Anon member and the alcoholic.
It is important to recognize that Al-Anon is NOT designed to show someone how to get an alcoholic to stop drinking. Rather, its purpose is to show family and friends how to recover from the effects of living in a family with an alcoholic, whether the alcoholic is in recovery or not.
Related links:
Al-anon
Alateen
Alateen is aimed at teenagers who have a family member or friend who is alcoholic. Each Alateen group is sponsored by at least one Al-Anon member. Working the 12 Steps, teens learn about the disease of alcoholism, how to detach from the family problems caused by alcoholism, how to protect themselves and how to give and receive support from other teens in similar situations.
Alateen members meet regularly, usually once a week and often concurrently but separately with an Al-Anon group. . Meeting styles include: speaker meetings where one or two members share the story of their recovery from a podium; discussion meetings where members share their experience with a particular topic, and step studies where members discuss their experience working with the 12 Steps.
Membership in Alateen is informal. The only requirement for membership is that the teenager has a family member or friend who is alcoholic. Anonymity is taken seriously, protecting Alateen members, Al-Anon members and the alcoholic.
It is important the teen recognize that Alateen is NOT designed to show someone how to get an alcoholic to stop drinking. Rather, its purpose is to show teens how to recover from the effects of living in a family with an alcoholic, whether the alcoholic is in recovery or not.
Related links:
Alateen
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous (see also 12 Step Groups)
Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as AA or A.A., is the original 12 Step group. It consists of men and women who come together voluntarily to achieve and maintain sobriety. The goal is total abstinence from alcohol, one day at a time. The method consists of meetings and working the 12 Steps. The 12 Steps are found in the book, Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as the Big Book.
Meetings or groups are found in almost every country of the world. They range in size from a few people, to as many as 100 or more. Most groups meet once a week. Meeting styles include: speaker meetings where one or two members share the story of their alcoholism and recovery from a podium; discussion meetings where members share their experience with a particular topic, and step studies where members discuss their experience working with the 12 Steps. There are also Big Book studies and meetings for special interest groups like women only, men only, gay and lesbian only, etc. All meetings are based, one-way or another, on the sharing of members experience, strength and hope.
Membership in AA is informal. A person becomes a member when they decide they want to stop drinking and begin attending meetings. There is no registration; no attendance is taken, although the group’s secretary may note the number of people in the room. The commitment to anonymity is taken seriously and people can attend AA meetings with little fear that others, outside the meetings, will find out they have joined.
AA meetings can be found in various ways. There are meeting lists on the web. In the United States, Alcoholics Anonymous can be found in the white pages of most telephone books; a call to information will also usually result in a phone number where meetings can be located. Meetings in most western countries, and some non-western countries can be found in similar ways.
Related links:
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Help and Information
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is the compulsive need an individual has to drink alcoholic beverages to excess, over and over again. Alcoholism is both physical (physiological) and mental (psychological).
Individuals addicted to alcohol are known as alcoholics, although sometimes the terms alcohol abuser and alcohol dependence are also used. Alcoholics driven by both physical and mental need to continue using the addictive substance, regardless of the consequences.
It’s impossible to tell in advance if any particular individual will become addicted to alcohol. There is some evidence of a genetic component in alcoholism and statistics certainly indicate children of alcoholics are more apt to become problem or alcoholic drinkers. On the other hand, not all children of alcoholics become alcoholic and not every alcoholic has a parent who is also alcoholic. There is also some evidence that people can drink themselves into alcoholism—that is, at least some who drink to excess over time will become alcoholic. Given the uncertainties, the only certain way to avoid alcoholism is to avoid alcohol altogether.
The only solution for the alcoholic is to quit using alcohol in any form entirely. This is most often successfully accomplished through some sort of treatment program. The best-known and most successful treatment program is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). AA members practice the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. These Steps most often learned and practiced through AA meetings. AA meetings can be found all over the world.
There are also programs that eschew the 12 Step approach and provide other methods, largely based on psychology and/or self-control.
Alcoholics may benefit from residential treatment centers, which generally require stays of up to 30 days or longer. Stays in these centers are most often paid for by the family of the alcoholic and are not cheap. The goal of these centers is to put the alcoholic in a supportive environment while new habits of behavior are learned. Most centers also use the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous as part of their program.
Related links:
Alcoholism
C
Christians in Recovery
Christians in Recovery (CIR) is an international organization of Christians who work to help other Christians recover from alcoholism, drug abuse, overeating and other addictive behaviors. Their program is based on the belief that the Bible “is the inspired, infallible, utilimately (sic) authoritative Word of God.”
CIR uses a version of the 12 Steps. For example, they include addictions and dysfunctions and make reference to the Bible in their Steps. CIR members meet regularly, usually at least weekly, and meetings are found in the United States, Canada and other countries. Their meetings may include Bible study as well as work with the CIR 12 Steps. Meeting lists can be found online and through Christian Churches.
Related links:
Christian Recovery,
Christian Recovery Links
Cocaine Anonymous
Cocaine Anonymous, also known as CA, grew out of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. CA’s purpose is to help those who are addicted to cocaine, in all its forms, and other mind-altering substances recover from their addiction(s).
The CA program uses the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, substituting the phrase mind-altering substances for the word, alcohol. The CA program is spelled out in their basic text, Hope, Faith and Courage, often referred to as the CA Big Book.
CA meetings or groups are found in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. They range in size from a few people, to as many as 25or more. Most groups meet once a week. Meeting styles include: speaker meetings where one or two members share the story of their addiction and recovery from a podium; discussion meetings where members share their experience with a particular topic, and step studies where members discuss their experience working with the 12 Steps. All meetings are based, one-way or another, on the sharing of members experience, strength and hope.
Membership in CA is informal. A person becomes a member when they decide they want to stop using drugs and begin attending meetings. There is no registration; no attendance is taken, although the group’s secretary may note the number of people in the room. The commitment to anonymity is taken seriously and people can attend CA meetings with little fear that others, outside the meetings, will find out they have joined.
CA meetings can be found in various ways. There are meeting lists on the web. In the United States, Cocaine Anonymous can be found in the white pages of many telephone books; a call to information will also usually result in a phone number where meetings can be located. Meetings in Canada and the UK can be found in similar ways.
Related links:
Cocaine Anonymous
Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Help and Information
D
Detox
When an addict quits using the addictive substance, the body rebels and the addict goes through a variety of physical and mental withdrawal symptoms as it detoxifies. These symptoms range from a relatively mild hangover to major incidents including seizures, which can, in sever cases, result in death.
Detox is short for this detoxification process, which, in general, means to rid the body of a toxic substance. When dealing with addiction, the toxic substances are the drugs of choice. In general there are two types of detox: non-medical and medical.
Non-medical detox refers to the fact that the body will rid itself of drugs (including alcohol) IF no more toxic substances are introduced. Sometimes this is referred to as going cold turkey.
Medical detox refers to a wide variety of detoxification techniques used by the medical profession. These techniques range from simple observation by professionals while an individual detoxes naturally to medical intervention, which may include tranquilizers or other drugs that reduce the symptoms caused by the withdrawal from the addictive drug.
The precise medical detox procedure depends on many factors, including the type of addictive drug (alcohol, opiate, etc.), the severity of the addiction and the philosophy of the treatment provider. Terms used include: medical detox, rapid detox, etc. The most successful detox programs deal with both the mental and the physical symptoms of withdrawal.
Related links:
Detox Centers
Disease Concept
Although not without controversy, much of the treatment of addiction revolves in one-way or another around the theory that addiction is a disease, or, as many like to state it: dis-ease. In many ways, calling addiction a disease is simply another way of stating that addiction is, among other things, a serious medical problem. The American Medical Association declared alcoholism as a treatable illness in 1956 and the World Health Organization acknowledged alcoholism as a serious medical problem in 1951. Accepting the idea that addiction is a disease or dis-ease often makes it easier for the addict to accept help.
Related links:
Recovery Resources
Dual Diagnosis
Dual diagnosis refers to people who have been diagnosed with a major mental illness along with addiction. The problem is that substance abuse, which has components of mental illness, often masks and/or aggravates other psychological symptoms. Conversely, those with psychological symptoms may self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. The result can be confusion over the needed treatment resulting in relapse and other major problems.
As a general rule, treatment for mental illness is close to impossible if the mentally ill addict is still abusing the drug of choice. On the other hand, the addict may find it extremely difficult to actually stop using until at least some of the psychiatric symptoms are relieved. Ideally, both conditions are recognized and treated together. In practice one problem is often recognized before (sometimes long before) the other.
There are treatment centers for the dually addicted that address both the mental illness and the addiction. There are also 12 Step meetings and other support groups that are aimed at dual addiction.
Related links:
Dual Diagnosis
M
Marijuana Anonymous
Marijuana Anonymous, also known as MA, grew out of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. The purpose of MA is to help people recover from marijuana addiction.
The MA program uses the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, substituting the word marijuana for the word, alcohol. The MA program is spelled out in a series of pamphlets available at their web site and at MA meetings.
MA meetings or groups are found mostly in the United States, Canada and the UK. They are generally small in size, rarely exceeding 20 or so people. Most groups meet once a week. Most meetings are discussion groups where members share their experience with a particular topic, and step studies where members discuss their experience working with the 12 Steps. All meetings are based, one-way or another, on the sharing of members experience, strength and hope.
Membership in MA is informal. A person becomes a member when they decide they want to stop using marijuana and begin attending meetings. There is no registration; no attendance is taken, although the group’s secretary may note the number of people in the room. The commitment to anonymity is taken seriously and people can attend NA meetings with little fear that others, outside the meetings, will find out they have joined.
MA meetings can be found in various ways. There are meeting lists on the web. In the United States, Marijuana Anonymous may be found in the white pages of most telephone books; a call to information will also sometimes results in a phone number where meetings can be located.
Related links:
Substance Abuse Recovery Links
N
Narcotics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous, also known as NA, grew out of Alcoholics Anonymous. Where AA limits its program to dealing with alcohol, NA members work with any substance abuse problem.
The NA program uses the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, substituting the word addiction for the word, alcohol. The NA program is spelled out in their basic text, Narcotics Anonymous, often referred to as the NA Big Book.
NA meetings or groups are found almost 100 countries. They range in size from a few people, to as many as 100 or more. Most groups meet once a week. Meeting styles include: speaker meetings where one or two members share the story of their addiction and recovery from a podium; discussion meetings where members share their experience with a particular topic, and step studies where members discuss their experience working with the 12 Steps. There are also Big Book studies and meetings for special interest groups like women only, men only, gay and lesbian only, etc. All meetings are based, one-way or another, on the sharing of members experience, strength and hope.
Membership in NA is informal. A person becomes a member when they decide they want to stop using drugs and begin attending meetings. There is no registration; no attendance is taken, although the group’s secretary may note the number of people in the room. The commitment to anonymity is taken seriously and people can attend NA meetings with little fear that others, outside the meetings, will find out they have joined.
NA meetings can be found in various ways. There are meeting lists on the web. In the United States, Narcotics Anonymous can be found in the white pages of most telephone books; a call to information will also usually result in a phone number where meetings can be located. Meetings in most western countries, and some non-western countries can be found in similar ways.
Related links:
Narcotics Anonymous
O
Overeaters Anonymous
Overeaters Anonymous, also known as AA, grew out of Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12 Step groups when people working other programs discovered they could use to the same principles to end their addiction to over eating.
The OA program uses the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, substituting the word food for the word, alcohol. The OA program is spelled out in their basic text, Overeaters Anonymous, often referred to as the OA Big Book.
OA meetings or groups are found more than 52 countries. They range in size from a few people, to as many as 50 or more. Most groups meet once a week. Meeting styles include: speaker meetings where one or two members share the story of their addiction and recovery from a podium; discussion meetings where members share their experience with a particular topic, and step studies where members discuss their experience working with the 12 Steps. There are also Big Book studies and meetings for special interest groups like women only, men only, gay and lesbian only, etc. All meetings are based, one-way or another, on the sharing of members experience, strength and hope.
Membership in OA is informal. A person becomes a member when they decide they want to stop abusing food and begin attending meetings. There is no registration; no attendance is taken, although the group’s secretary may note the number of people in the room. The commitment to anonymity is taken seriously and people can attend OA meetings with little fear that others, outside the meetings, will find out they have joined.
OA meetings can be found in various ways. There are meeting lists on the web. In the United States, Overeaters Anonymous can be found in the white pages of most telephone books; a call to information will also usually result in a phone number where meetings can be located. Meetings in most western countries, and some non-western countries can be found in similar ways.
Related links:
Overeaters Anonymous
T
Treatment / Rehab (see also Adolescent Treatment)
In the world of addiction recovery, the term treatment, or rehab, usually refers to a professional and/or medical center that detoxes the addict and begins the education process to help them live a life free of their drug(s) of choice. Treatment may be on an outpatient or inpatient basis, or a combination of the two.
Typically outpatient treatment consists a series of meetings at the treatment center. If the treatment is intensive, there are probably four or five meetings each week. Less intensive programs meet less often, but usually at least once or twice a week. How many weeks involved depends on the program. Outpatient meetings are generally a combination of education and group therapy facilitated by a professional with experience and/or certification in addiction counseling. Drug testing may be a requirement of outpatient treatment. The outpatient program may use at least part of the 12 Step model or it may use a different model.
Inpatient rehab generally consists of actually staying in a hospital or residential treatment center for a number of days, weeks or months. A stay of 28 or 30 days is probably the most typical. Most inpatient programs start with either medical or non-medical detoxification. Many inpatient treatment centers draw on the 12 Step model and include in-house 12 Step meetings as well as group therapy and individual counseling. Some provide education and/or meetings for families during the addicts stay. If the treatment center is near a metropolitan area, addicts may be bussed to outside 12 Step or other recovery meetings as part of the program.
There are treatment centers that deal with addiction in general, and those that work with addiction to specific drugs. Some offer medical detox, others specialize in non-medical detox (no tranquilizers, etc.) under medical supervision. Treatment centers may work with the general population of addicts or with specific groups, such as women, men, adolescents, young adults, etc.
Many drug rehabs incorporate at least part of the 12 Step model in their education process. There are, however, treatment centers that use other models.
Related links:
Treatment Centers
Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Help and Information
W
Withdrawal
This is a clearly defined set of physical reactions that are measurable as a result of cessation or decrease in the drug/chemical substance that was previously used. Withdrawal is often difficult to define in exact medical terms. The effects are different for the different categories of drugs. Some symptoms are body aches, vomiting, muscle tremors, insomnia, perspiration, hot flashes, diarrhea, cramps, dehydration, dizziness, visual distortion and a sudden drop in blood pressure. Some symptoms may be short-lived, while others may last several weeks or longer. This is also called the abstinence syndrome.
Related links:
Detox Centers
