IRETA has compiled a list of basic terms related to substance use, addiction, addiction treatment, and recovery. If you want to review a comprehensive guide to addiction terminology, including those that may perpetuate stigma, please see the Recovery Research Institute’s Addictionary.
At-Risk Alcohol Use
At-risk alcohol use is a term for:
- Any drinking by those who are pregnant, underage, operating machinery, or with a health condition adversely affected by alcohol
- Binge drinking
- Heavy drinking. At-risk alcohol use can harm one’s health, interpersonal relationships, and ability to work. It can also lead to an alcohol use disorder, although at-risk alcohol use is not the same as an alcohol use disorder (which is sometimes referred to as “alcoholism”).
Adapted from: CDC
At-Risk Drug Use
Guidelines for lower-risk use of illicit drugs (including prescription drugs not as prescribed) have not been established. Therefore, all illicit drug use and misuse of prescription drugs should be considered at-risk. However, as with alcohol, at-risk drug use is not the same as having a substance use disorder, although it may harm one’s health, interpersonal relationships, and ability to work. For some individuals, at-risk drug use leads to a substance use disorder.
Behavioral Health
Behavioral health is the field of health care concerned with substance use and other mental health disorders.
Adapted from: Recovery Research Institute
Harm Reduction
Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed to reduce negative consequences associated with drug and alcohol use.
Adapted from: Harm Reduction Coalition
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
MAT is the use of medications combined with other therapies to provide a whole-patient approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. Examples of medications are methadone and buprenorphine for opioid addiction, naltrexone and acamprosate for alcohol addiction, and nicotine replacement therapy for tobacco users addicted to nicotine.
Adapted from: SAMHSA
Overdose
Injury to the body (poisoning) happens when a drug is taken in excessive amounts. An overdose can be fatal or nonfatal. Drug overdoses are the leading cause of injury death in the United States.
Adapted from: CDC
Prescription Drug Misuse
Misuse of prescription drugs means taking a medication in a manner or dose other than prescribed; taking someone else’s prescription, even if for a legitimate medical complaint such as pain; or taking a medication to feel euphoria (i.e., to get high). Data indicate that prescription drug misuse has grown substantially in the last few decades. For example, treatment admissions for prescription drug use quadrupled between 1999 and 2009.
Adapted from: NIDA
Prevention
At-risk substance use and addiction can be prevented. Prevention strategies include screening, brief intervention, and perhaps referrals to treatment (SBIRT); messaging from parents, doctors, teachers, the media, and others in the community to encourage healthy choices and discourage substance use; increasing taxes on tobacco and alcohol products; reducing the availability of non-medical prescription medications; and restricting advertising of addictive substances, particularly to young people.
Adapted from: CASAColumbia
Recovery
There is no broadly agreed-upon definition of recovery from addiction. SAMHSA has constructed a working definition of recovery from addiction and mental health disorders, which is “a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential.” The recovery process is highly personal and occurs via many pathways. It may include clinical treatment, medications, faith-based approaches, peer support, family support, self-care, and other approaches.
Adapted from: SAMHSA
SBIRT
Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based approach to identifying people who use alcohol and other drugs at risky levels, intending to reduce and prevent related health consequences, disease, accidents, and injuries. Anyone can do SBIRT, including medical professionals, human service providers, educators, and faith leaders.
Adapted from: SBIRT Colorado
Substance Use
Substance use is a multi-faceted phenomenon that encompasses a range of behaviors. People use substances for complex reasons. Substance use may be risky (e.g., teenage drinking, smoking while pregnant). It may lead to (or be a symptom of) a substance use disorder.
Adapted from: Harm Reduction Coalition
Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
The American Psychiatric Association uses the term substance use disorder (SUD) to diagnose an unhealthy relationship with substances, including addiction. SUDs can be categorized as mild, moderate, and severe. The symptoms associated with a SUD fall into four major groupings: impaired control, social impairment, risky use, and pharmacological criteria (i.e., tolerance and withdrawal). SUDs are treatable.
Adapted from: NIDA
Treatment
Treatment is intended to help individuals with addiction stop compulsive seeking and use of substances. Treatment can occur in various settings, take many different forms, and last for different lengths of time. It may include both medications and counseling. Because addiction can be a chronic disorder characterized by occasional relapses, a short-term, one-time treatment may not be sufficient.
Adapted from: NIDA
