Definition of Terms

 

 AA / Alcoholics Anonymous:  A self-help support group for people with a desire to stop drinking, based on a twelve step philosophy.

 

Addiction:  A physical and / or psychological need to continue to use the substance in question, (alcohol, drugs, gambling, credit cards, etc.)

 

Abstinence:  Maintaining a drug free life.  No use of any drug of abuse; including alcohol, and in some cases, may also mean “no participation in non-drug compulsive behaviors” that have been part of one’s addictive pattern.

 

Admission:  The participant meets the program criteria and signs a consent to begin treatment after completing the required intake forms.

 

Alanon:  12-step based fellowship of family, friends, and those affected by alcoholism and addiction.  See Self-help Support Group.

 

Alcoholism:  A condition where the consumption of alcohol has caused disruption in one or many areas of a person’s life, including family, employment, psychological state, health, spirituality, or other areas important to the individual.

 

Alcohol & Drug Free:  Free of the use of all alcohol or drugs.

 

Alcohol & Drug Free Environment:  An environment free of the use of alcohol and/or drugs, such as a Sober Living Home.

 

Alcohol & Other Drug Dependence:  (AODD) clinical abbreviation used in chat rooms to indicate addiction to all drugs of dependence.

 

Alcohol & Other Drug Problems:  The problems of individuals, families and communities which are related to inappropriate alcohol and/or drug use and include conditions usually associated with the terms “alcoholism, addiction, alcohol abuse and illicit use of drugs.”

 

Alcohol & Other Drug Service:  A service that is specifically and uniquely designed to alleviate or preclude alcohol and/or other drug problems in the individual, his or her family, or the community.

 

Alcohol or other drug program:  A collection of residential or nonresidential alcohol or other drug services that are coordinated to achieve specified objectives, such as abstinence.

 

Assessment:  An in-depth review including level of care assessment and participant strengths and needs

 

Attempts to Control:  Persistent desire or efforts to cut down or control drinking / use of a substance, including making rules for self about when, where, what to drink / use, etc.

 

Counseling:  A process based on face to face participant and counselor interaction for the purpose of identifying the participants problems and needs, setting goals and interventions, and practicing new behaviors.

 

Codependent:  Coined originally to describe the relationship between an alcoholic and their partner.  Now used more loosely to describe actions of enabling, lack of self-esteem, and an unhealthy need to” fix” another person, (and abandon one’s own needs/identity).

 

Day Treatment:  A nonresidential alcohol or other drug service that is provided to participants at least three hours per day and at least three days per week.  It is designed to provide an alcohol and drug free environment with structure and supervision to further a participants’ ability to improve his/her functioning.

 

Dependence:  Commonly used to describe the physical aspect of addiction after chemical changes have caused the mind or body to feel discomfort if the substance is not present (such as withdrawal)

 

Detoxification Services:  (Detox)  Services provided to assist participants, during the process in which alcohol and/or drugs are metabolized in the body to eliminate their toxic effects in either a medical or non-medical setting.

 

Group Session:  A face to face interaction,  in a group setting, between the participant and program staff designed to support and encourage positive changes in the participant’s life, and reduce or ameliorate the problems associated with alcohol and drug use and promote recovery.

 

Individual Session: A face to face, one on one interaction between a participant and program staff designed to implement specific objectives in the treatment recovery plan to support, facilitate and encourage changes within the participants life which result in improved outcomes and reduced level of care needs, and reduce or ameliorate the problems associated with alcohol and/or drug use and to promote recovery.

 

Intake: The process by which the program obtains information about an individual seeking admission for alcohol/drug services.

 

IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program)  Commonly the next step for people leaving inpatient treatment, or a non-residential alternative for alcohol & drug abuse treatment. 

 

Loss of control: Drinking / using more, or for longer than intended.

 

 

Program objective:  A statement of the intended impact of program activities that includes descriptions of both process (the planned course of action) and outcome objectives (the expected results) which are stated in measurable and time-limited terms.

 

Recovery:  Changing from a lifestyle of addiction and other self – destructive, dishonest behavior to one of abstinence and honesty.

 

Self-help Support Group:   A meeting where people with similar issues gather  for group support, information, and resources.

 

 

Sobriety:  Usually used in treatment or 12 step programs to mean the same as abstinence.  However, because it can mean not getting high or drunk, some use it to mislead, telling themselves that even though they used or drank, it wasn’t enough to get them high or drunk, so they were still sober.

 

Tolerance:  Needing to drink or use more alcohol or drugs to get the same effect, or getting a diminished effect with the same amount.

 

Treatment Plan:  A statement of problems, objectives, action steps, and a target date for completion. 

 

Withdrawal:  Physical / emotional withdrawal symptoms, or drinking / using more to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.

 

 

 

Some insurance plans accepted.
Call to see if yours will cover the cost of your treatment.

California Certified Alcohol and Drug Program #370101AP

 

Call for help (858) 453-4315

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San Diego, CA  92121