Glossary Of Addiction Terms

Alcoholism: A chronic disease characterized by a strong craving for alcohol, the inability to control drinking, and physical dependence on alcohol.

Behavioral addiction: A type of addiction that involves a compulsive behavior, such as gambling or shopping, rather than a substance.

Craving: An intense desire or urge to use a drug or engage in a behavior.

Detoxification: The process of removing drugs or alcohol from the body in a safe and medically supervised manner.

Dual diagnosis: The presence of both a mental health disorder and substance use disorder.

Enabler: A person who knowingly or unknowingly facilitates an addict's behavior by excusing, tolerating, or enabling their drug use.

Gateway drug: A substance, typically alcohol or marijuana, that is believed to lead to the use of harder drugs.

Harm reduction: Strategies aimed at reducing the negative consequences associated with drug use, rather than stopping drug use altogether.

Intervention: A planned and structured meeting between an addict and their loved ones in order to persuade the addict to seek treatment.

Jellinek curve: A model that illustrates the progression of addiction, from occasional use to compulsive use and addiction.

Korsakoff's syndrome: A brain disorder caused by long-term alcohol abuse that results in memory loss, confusion, and other cognitive problems.

Lapse: A brief return to drug use after a period of abstinence.

Narcotics: A class of drugs that includes opium, morphine, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.

Overdose: A dangerous and potentially fatal level of drug or alcohol consumption.

Psychological dependence: A strong emotional attachment to drugs or alcohol, characterized by feelings of anxiety, depression, or panic when the substance is not available.

Relapse: The return to drug use after a period of abstinence.

Substance abuse: The use of drugs or alcohol in a way that negatively affects a person's life, such as causing health problems or interfering with daily activities.

Tolerance: The need to use increasing amounts of a drug in order to achieve the same effect.

Underlying issues: The emotional, psychological, or social issues that contribute to addiction, such as trauma, stress, or mental health disorders.

Withdrawal: The physical and psychological symptoms that occur when a person stops using drugs or alcohol. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can include nausea, insomnia, anxiety, and seizures.

Nicotine: A highly addictive substance found in tobacco products that causes physical and psychological dependence.

Opiates: A class of drugs that includes natural and synthetic opioids, such as codeine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone.

Polydrug use: The use of multiple drugs at the same time or switching between different drugs.

Quitting cold turkey: The abrupt cessation of drug use without any medical intervention or tapering off period.

Recovery: The process of overcoming addiction and maintaining sobriety through various forms of treatment and support.

Stimulants: A class of drugs that includes cocaine, amphetamines, and methamphetamines. They increase alertness, attention, and energy levels.

Triggers: People, places, events, or emotions that can cause a person to crave drugs or engage in addictive behaviors.

Uppers: Slang term for stimulant drugs that make the user feel more energetic and alert.

Vaping: Inhaling vapor from an electronic cigarette or similar device. It can contain nicotine or other substances.

Withdrawal management: The medical supervision and support provided during the withdrawal process to minimize discomfort and complications.

Xanax: A prescription medication used to treat anxiety disorders. It is also commonly abused due to its sedative effects.

Yaba: A combination of methamphetamine and caffeine that is popular in Southeast Asia. It can cause severe health problems and addiction.

Z-drugs: A class of medications used to treat insomnia. They have a similar effect on the brain as benzodiazepines but are not classified as such. They can be addictive if misused.

Abstinence-based treatment: Treatment programs that require complete abstinence from all drugs or alcohol.

Benzodiazepines: A class of medications used to treat anxiety disorders, insomnia, seizures, and muscle spasms. They can be highly addictive if misused.

Cocaine: A highly addictive stimulant drug that can cause heart problems, seizures, and other health issues.

Designer drugs: Synthetic drugs that are designed to mimic the effects of illegal drugs. They can be highly dangerous and unpredictable.

Ecstasy: A popular party drug that produces feelings of euphoria, increased energy, and empathy. It can cause dehydration, overheating, and other health problems.

Fentanyl: A synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times more potent than morphine. It is responsible for many overdose deaths in recent years.

Gambling disorder: A type of behavioral addiction characterized by compulsive gambling despite negative consequences.

Hallucinogens: A class of drugs that alter perception, thoughts, and feelings. Examples include LSD and psilocybin mushrooms.

Inhalants: Substances such as glue, paint thinner, or aerosol sprays that are inhaled to produce a high. They can cause brain damage and other health problems.

Juuling: Using a device called a Juul to inhale nicotine vapor. It has become popular among teenagers in recent years.

Kratom: An herbal supplement that is sometimes used as a natural alternative to opioids. It can be addictive and has been linked to several deaths.

LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide): A hallucinogenic drug that alters perception and mood. It can have long-lasting psychological effects.

Methamphetamine: A highly addictive stimulant drug that causes physical and psychological damage with chronic use.

Naloxone: An emergency medication used to reverse opioid overdoses.

Oxycodone: A prescription opioid painkiller that is commonly abused due to its powerful effects on the brain and body.

Prescription drug abuse: The misuse of prescription medications for non-medical purposes or in ways not intended by a healthcare provider.

Quaaludes (methaqualone): A sedative-hypnotic drug that was popular in the 1970s. It is highly addictive and has been illegal in the United States since 1984.

Rohypnol: A powerful sedative drug that is sometimes used as a date rape drug. It can cause memory loss and other health problems.

Synthetic cannabinoids: Chemical compounds that are sprayed onto plant material and smoked to produce a high similar to marijuana. They can be highly dangerous and unpredictable.

Tobacco use disorder: A type of addiction characterized by compulsive tobacco use despite negative consequences.

Urine drug testing: A common method of detecting drug use by analyzing a person's urine for traces of drugs or their metabolites.

Vicodin: A prescription painkiller that contains hydrocodone and acetaminophen. It is commonly abused due to its opioid effects on the brain and body.

Withdrawal syndrome: The constellation of physical and psychological symptoms that occur when a person stops using drugs or alcohol after prolonged use. Symptoms can be mild to severe depending on the substance used and duration of use.

Xylazine: A veterinary anesthetic that is sometimes mixed with heroin or cocaine to increase their effects.

Yohimbine: A naturally occurring alkaloid found in the bark of the yohimbe tree that is sometimes used as a dietary supplement to enhance sexual performance. It can cause high blood pressure, anxiety, and other health problems.

Zolpidem: A prescription medication used to treat insomnia. It is similar to benzodiazepines but has a shorter half-life and is less likely to cause dependence.

Addiction severity index (ASI): A standardized assessment tool used to measure the severity of an individual's addiction and identify treatment needs.

Buprenorphine: A medication used in medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction. It reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing the same level of euphoria as opioids.

Cross-tolerance: The phenomenon in which tolerance to one drug results in tolerance to another drug with a similar mechanism of action.

Dopamine: A neurotransmitter that plays a key role in reward, motivation, and pleasure. Drugs of abuse increase dopamine levels in the brain, leading to feelings of euphoria and reinforcing drug use.

Endorphins: Natural pain-relieving chemicals produced by the body that are similar in structure to opioids. They are released during exercise, laughter, and other pleasurable activities.

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS): A condition that occurs when a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, causing physical and cognitive abnormalities in her developing fetus.

Genetic predisposition: An increased likelihood of developing addiction due to genetic factors passed down from parents or ancestors.

Heroin-assisted treatment (HAT): A form of medication-assisted treatment for heroin addiction that involves providing heroin under medical supervision as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Inpatient treatment: Treatment programs that require patients to live at a facility for a period of time while they receive intensive therapy and support.

Juvenile delinquency: Criminal behavior committed by minors who are under the age of 18 years old.

Khat: An herbal stimulant that is popular in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It can cause addiction, psychosis, and other health problems.

Lethal dose: The amount of a drug or substance that can cause death in an individual.

Methadone: A medication used in medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction. It reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing the same level of euphoria as opioids.

Neurotransmitters: Chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons in the brain and body. They play a key role in regulating mood, behavior, and other physiological processes.

Outpatient treatment: Treatment programs that allow patients to live at home while they receive therapy and support on a regular basis.

Peer support: Supportive relationships with others who have experienced addiction or recovery. Peer support groups can provide emotional support, accountability, and social connection.

Quitting smoking: The process of stopping tobacco use by gradually reducing nicotine intake or quitting abruptly with the help of medications or behavioral therapies.

Rehabilitation: The process of restoring physical, mental, or social functioning after an injury or illness. In the context of addiction, rehabilitation refers to the process of overcoming addiction and achieving long-term recovery.

Self-help groups: Support groups led by peers who are in recovery from addiction. Examples include Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

Tranquilizers: A class of drugs that includes benzodiazepines and other medications used to treat anxiety disorders, insomnia, seizures, and muscle spasms. They can be highly addictive if misused.

Urge surfing: A mindfulness-based technique used to overcome cravings for drugs or alcohol by observing them without judgment and allowing them to pass without acting on them.

Vivitrol: A medication used in medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction. It blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and reduces cravings for up to one month per injection.

Withdrawal timeline: The expected duration and intensity of withdrawal symptoms for a particular drug or substance. The timeline can vary depending on the drug used, the duration of use, and other factors.

Xerostomia: A condition commonly known as dry mouth that is caused by reduced saliva production. It can be a side effect of certain medications used to treat addiction.

Youth risk behavior survey (YRBS): A national survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that measures behaviors related to health and safety among high school students.

Zopiclone: A prescription medication used to treat insomnia. It is similar to benzodiazepines but has a shorter half-life and is less likely to cause dependence.

Behavioral addiction: A type of addiction that does not involve the use of drugs or substances, but rather compulsive behaviors such as gambling, shopping, or internet use.

Cannabis: A plant whose leaves and flowers are used for medicinal and recreational purposes. It contains compounds called cannabinoids that can produce a range of effects on the brain and body.

Detoxification: The process of removing drugs or alcohol from the body in a safe and controlled manner. It may involve medication-assisted treatment or other forms of medical supervision.

Enabling: Actions taken by friends or family members that inadvertently support or enable a person's addictive behavior, such as providing money or covering up for them.

Fentanyl analogs: Synthetic opioids that are chemically similar to fentanyl but may be even more potent and dangerous. They have been responsible for many overdose deaths in recent years.

Gateway drug theory: The idea that using certain drugs, such as marijuana or alcohol, can lead to the use of more dangerous drugs over time.

Harm reduction: An approach to addiction treatment that focuses on reducing the negative consequences of drug use rather than requiring complete abstinence.

Intervention: A planned conversation or meeting with an addicted person in which loved ones express concern about their behavior and encourage them to seek help.

Jellies (dextromethorphan): An over-the-counter cough suppressant that can produce hallucinogenic effects at high doses. It is commonly abused by teenagers and young adults.

Ketamine: A dissociative anesthetic drug used in human and veterinary medicine. It can produce hallucinations, out-of-body experiences, and other psychoactive effects when used recreationally.

Licit drug use disorder: Addiction to legal substances such as alcohol, tobacco, or prescription medications.

Meth mouth: A term used to describe the severe dental problems that can result from chronic methamphetamine use, including tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss.

Narcotic: A term used to describe opioids or other drugs with sedative effects. It is often used interchangeably with the term "opioid."

Opioid epidemic: The widespread increase in opioid addiction and overdose deaths that has occurred in the United States and other countries in recent years.

Peer pressure: The influence that friends or peers can have on a person's behavior or decision-making, which can sometimes lead to drug use or other risky behaviors.

Quitting tobacco: The process of stopping tobacco use by gradually reducing nicotine intake or quitting abruptly with the help of medications or behavioral therapies.

Relapse prevention: Strategies and techniques used to prevent relapse after completing addiction treatment. This may involve therapy, support groups, medication, or lifestyle changes.

Substance abuse counselor: A trained professional who provides counseling and support to individuals struggling with addiction. They may work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, clinics, or private practices.

Tolerance: The phenomenon in which a person needs increasingly larger doses of a drug to achieve the same effect over time. It is a common feature of addiction and can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

Underage drinking: Drinking alcohol while under the legal age limit (usually 21 years old). It is associated with a range of negative consequences such as accidents, injuries, and impaired judgment.

Virtual support groups: Support groups that meet online rather than in person. They provide an opportunity for people in recovery from addiction to connect with others who share similar experiences regardless of geographic location.

Withdrawal symptoms: Physical and psychological symptoms that occur when a person stops using drugs or alcohol after prolonged use. Symptoms can vary depending on the substance used but may include nausea, sweating, anxiety, depression, seizures, or hallucinations.

Xanax bars: Slang term for alprazolam, a prescription medication used to treat anxiety disorders. It is commonly abused due to its sedative effects and availability on the black market.

Yohimbe: An herbal supplement that is sometimes used as a natural aphrodisiac or dietary aid. It can cause high blood pressure, anxiety, and other health problems.

Zero-tolerance policy: A policy that prohibits any drug use or possession in certain settings such as schools or workplaces. Violations may result in disciplinary action or legal consequences.