Alcoholism Treatment Glossary

12 Step Alternatives

Although Alcoholics Anonymous and the other 12 Step groups like Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, etc. are the best known recovery organizations, there are alternatives to the 12 Step Movement. Most of these were created out of the recognition that one size does not fit all. Many of them use a more psychological approach than the 12 Step programs do; most have some sort of group support model with regular group meetings for members. Some are actively opposed to the religious or spiritual tone found in 12 Step groups, while a few embrace a specific kind of spirituality.

Each organization has its own flavor and methods.

Best known alternatives to the 12 Step groups include: Smart Recovery, Rational Recovery, LifeRing Secular Recovery, Secular Organization for Recovery (SOS), the Lenaire Technique, etc.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA, A.A.)

A voluntary, anonymous self-help organization of individuals who have recognized their chemical dependence and are committed to living a life of abstinence. Abstinence is achieved by a 12-Step Program and members of AA support each other by sharing their own struggles, experiences and hopes.

It is the original 12 Step group, made up 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

Abstinence

The act of refraining from the use of the substance or substances on which a person has become dependent.

Addiction

The physical and psychological craving for a substance that develops into a dependency and continues even though it is causing the addicted person physical, psychological and social harm. The disease of addiction is chronic and progressive, and the craving may apply to behaviors as well as substances.

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.

Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA)

A self-help organization for individuals who have suffered and suffer as the result of the alcoholism of one or both parents.

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.

Alcohol and Drug Education, Counseling, and Relapse Prevention

Individual sessions with certified chemical dependency counselors, educational groups and daily twelve step meetings provide a strong foundation for the client in understanding their behavior patterns, coping skills, relapse triggers, and learning new ways of living. Clients are encouraged to work with their individual counselor and temporary sponsor on step work.

Alcoholic

Someone who as the result of their alcohol consumption, either excessive or habitual, suffers or has suffered physical, psychological, emotional, social or occupational harm.

Alcoholism

A disease characterized by excessive and habitual drinking of alcoholic beverages, that causes the alcoholic, physical, psychological, and social harm.

Alumni Group

Once you have successfully completed the program, you may have the opportunity to be a part of an alumni meeting through your treatment center.

Antabuse (disulfiram)

A drug which alters the way in which the body breaks down alcohol. Someone who is taking antabuse and consuming alcohol will have a violent physical reaction to the alcohol. Nausea, vomiting and rapid changes in blood pressure occur. Antabuse is sometimes prescribed as a part of treatment after detoxification is complete to reduce the possibility of relapse.

Chemical Dependency

A general term to describe a physical or psychological reliance on drugs.

Co-Dependency

The condition in which people allow the behavior or sickness of another to affect them to the extent that they lose their own sense of identity and their own life becomes unmanageable. Co-dependency is characterized by trying to control the behavior of another and having unrealistic expectations about the power of that control.

Detoxification

The process of withdrawing a person from any addictive substance. Detoxification occurs naturally when the addict cannot get his or her drug, and under these circumstances. The detoxification process can be both uncomfortable and dangerous, but under hospital supervision, detoxification is controlled and safe. Detoxification precedes rehabilitation treatment.

Dual Diagnosis

The presence of a substance abuse or chemical dependency diagnosis with a coexisting psychiatric disorder.

Enabling

Any behavior or action that assists the addict in the continuation of their addiction. Enabling is either intentional or unintentional, and is usually done out of love and misguided concern. Enabling allows the addict to continue their destructive behavior.

Equine Therapy

Animal assisted therapy can benefit individuals with both physical and emotional healing. A certified equine therapist can work with clients when appropriate to address traumatic issues that are not readily available through verbal therapies.

Families Anonymous (FA)

A self-help organization for families whose lives have been affected by the addiction of a family member.

Family Therapy

The family is educated about the treatment process and is kept informed about your progress. Counselors may work with your family to help troubleshoot issues that might undermine relapse prevention. They also understand that there are times when your family might not be the ideal support system for your progress. When this is the case, the staff may work with you and your family to ensure that you get the support system you need in order to benefit from the prescribed treatment.

Group Therapy

Small group therapy sessions will provide an interactive and safe environment in which to explore and process issues and traumas. Group therapy is offered up to four times per day and run for two hours.

Halfway House

A residence for those who have completed treatment at a rehabilitation facility but are not yet ready to return to their community. They need daily support to assist them in the restructuring of their lives. Often, this includes assistance in getting a job and gradually living more independently.

Individual Therapy

An integral part of your treatment is one-on-one sessions with a therapist. Your therapist will work individually with you to find out why you are in crisis and what the causes of this crisis might be. This is critical to a successful treatment or continued recovery. If you do not understand or treat root causes, the problems often re-emerge.

Intervention

When people whose lives are affected by the addict, confront him or her with their feelings about the addict's behavior and how it has affected them. An intervention is an attempt to get the addict to accept help and go into treatment. The participants in the intervention make all the arrangements for treatment, transportation to, etc.

Long Term Residential Treatment

A treatment program for those who, having completed a rehabilitation program, are still not ready to return to their communities and maintain a recovery. Similar to a halfway house program, long term residential treatment offers the support and structure often needed to control the impulse to relapse. Programs usually run between 3 and 6 months.

Methadone

A drug used with heroin addicts as a substitute for heroin. Methadone is used both during detoxification to ease the discomfort, and it is used in maintenance programs. In maintenance, it is administered orally under controlled conditions, and is usually accompanied by some form of rehab program. Like heroin, methadone is addictive.

Narcotics Anonymous, NA

A self-help organization of individuals who have recognized their dependency on drugs and are committed to living a life of abstinence.

Nutritional Counseling

Clients should meet with a registered dietician individually and in group to address any self care and dietary needs.

Out-Patient Program

Out-patient programs are designed to provide an ongoing means of support and allows you to stay connected with your therapist and peer group.

Physical Fitness

Daily exercise has been proven to improve mood while releasing natural endorphins in the body.

Psychiatry

Clients should meet with a licensed psychiatrist, as needed, in an effort to understand the individual's psychological, medical and medication needs.

Recovery

The change of attitudes and behaviors that brings about a life free of chemicals. Recovery is in terms of a process not a single event. It is ongoing, and one refers to being "in recovery." Recovery embraces the idea that one lives life positively one day at a time.

Relapse

To repeat the addictive behavior for which an individual has received treatment.

Sobriety

A life free of chemicals or chemical dependency.

Spiritual Counseling

Each individual is supported in making a connection to a higher power. Clients are encouraged to participate in spirituality group and guided imagery in an effort to reconnect or connect to their own inner freedom and peace.

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.

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.

Therapeutic Massage

Emotions can generate neuromuscular and other physical ailments in one's body. Release of physical tension can facilitate emotional healing when done properly.

Therapy

Many believe that in order for you to have success in treatment, you need to understand the underlying issues of your behavior. Most often, these underlying issues are the key to avoiding relapse and minimizing problems in the future.

Tolerance

The need to take increasingly large amounts of chemicals in order to achieve the desired effects; the same effects previously achieved by smaller amounts.

Transitional Program

When you have successfully completed your residential stay, you may be eligible to participate in a transition program. In addition to your daily therapy schedule, you will meet with a resource counselor to devise a plan that will help you achieve your goals. They may assist you with legal problems, career planning, college enrollment, apartment hunting and more, as you transition in to your new life.

Trauma Therapy

Client-centered multidisciplinary approach facilitates healing based on the specific trauma history of the individual. In addition to individual and group therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) treatment is utilized. The goal is to achieve extensive and lasting recovery from post traumatic stress symptoms while developing a solid foundation with emotional stability.

Twelve Step Programs

The 12 Steps are the philosophical basis of Alcoholics Anonymous and all Anonymous self-help groups. They are the means by which one can get into recovery and achieve a sober life. The first step is to acknowledge one's powerlessness over the substance and that one's life has become unmanageable.

Withdrawal

The symptoms experienced by substance abusers when they stop using the drug upon which they have become dependent. These symptoms are usually unpleasant and uncomfortable; they may include nausea, insomnia, anxiety, weakness, trembling, sweating, dizziness, convulsions, and dementia.

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.

Yoga

The practice of yoga increases flexibility and is a source of relaxation. It can improve a person's mental, emotional and physical health, thereby calming the spirit.