Alcohol/Drug Addiction Definitions

Al-Anon
The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength and hope in order to solve their common problems. The only requirement for membership is that there be a problem of alcoholism in a relative or friend.

Alcoholic
1. Someone who as the result of their alcohol consumption, either excessive or habitual, suffers or has suffered physical, psychological, emotional, social or occupational harm.
2. Someone who demonstrates a continuous or periodic impaired control over drinking; preoccupation with alcohol; and use of alcohol despite adverse consequences and distortions in thinking, most notably denial.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
One of the earliest forms of addiction treatment in the United States, AA developed the 12-step approach to assisting recovery from alcohol addiction (alcoholism). Several other anonymous groups have adapted the 12-step approach to help people recover from addiction to other drugs (e.g., Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, Pot Smokers Anonymous).

Alcoholism
A chronic disorder characterized by dependence on alcohol, repeated excessive use of alcoholic beverages, development of withdrawal symptoms on reducing or ceasing alcohol intake, morbidity that may include cirrhosis of the liver, and decreased ability to function socially and vocationally. Currently believed by many to be a disease with strong genetic links.

Chemical Dependency
1. Physical addiction to a drug or substance, such as alcohol or heroine, that results in biological changes (including withdrawl) if discontinued suddenly.
2. Any condition resulting from dependency on or abuse of a psychoactive substance as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition-Revised, (DSM-IV-R), or subsequent revisions, published by the American Psychiatric Association.

Codependency
A set of maladaptive, compulsive behaviors learned by family members in order to survive in a family which is experiencing great emotional pain and stress associated with an alcoholic or drug addicted family member.

Detoxification, Detox
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, detoxifcation is controlled and safe. Detoxifcation precedes rehabiltation treatment.

Disease
A general term used to refer to any departure from health in which a patient suffers. It can be defined as disorder of bodily function or destructive processes in organs, organs’ systems or in an organism with recognizable signs and symptoms, and in many cases a known cause. The words disease, illness and sickness are used often interchangeably but are not synonymous. Rather, whereas disease relates to a physiological or psychological dysfunction, an illness is the subjective state of a patient who feels unwell and sickness encompasses a state of social dysfunction, such as the role that the individual assumes when ill.

Drug Addict
1. Someone who is physiologically dependent on a drug where the abrupt deprivation of the drug produces withdrawal symptoms. 2. Junky, Junkie. 3. Someone addicted to narcotics.

Drug Court
A special court given the responsibility of select felony and misdemeanor cases involving non-violent drug-using offenders. The program includes frequent random drug testing, judicial and probation supervision, drug treatment counseling, educational and vocational opportunities, and the use of sanctions and incentives.

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.

Indigent
Those who are needy and poor, or those who have not sufficient property to furnish a living nor anyone able to support them to whom they are entitled to look for support.

ISM
The Incredibly Short Memories we have that let us repeat old mistakes and get the same old results; it's the I Sponsor Myself's, the old ego telling us that we don't need help. Its all the I, Self and Me's that keep haunting us if we don't take action in the form of the 12 steps.

Recovery Home
Similar to a halfway house but with stronger emphasize on a permanent recovery plan. This usually involves participation in a 12 step program such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Residents are expected to attend daily AA meeting, get a sponsor, work the 12 steps and become involved.

Sobriety
1. Habitual soberness or temperance as to the use of spirituous liquors; as, a man of sobriety. 2. Habitual freedom from enthusiasm, inordinate passion, or overheated imagination; calmness; coolness; gravity; seriousness; as, the sobriety of riper years. 3. State of mental clarity obtained through abstinence from alcohol and other drugs.

Substance Abuse
The taking of alcohol or other drugs at dosages that place a person's social, economic, psychological and physical welfare in potential hazard, or endanger public health, morals, safety or welfare, or a combination thereof. Also called chemical dependency.

Treatment Centers
Residential facilities, usually non-medical, providing for the care, treatment or rehabilitation of drug users, including alcohol users.

Transitional Living
Non-medical residential program providing training for living in a setting of greater independence. The primary focus is on teaching functional skills and compensating for abilities that cannot be restored.
See Halfway Houses and Recovery Homes