Select a letter below:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Abstinence
Refraining from the use of alcohol or drugs.
Addiction
In drug and alcohol addiction parlance, it could mean loss of control over one’s physical and emotional actions due to overdependence on drugs or alcohol.
Addictive Personality
An individual’s basic predisposition to addiction. This is deemed as an inherent personality trait.
Adverse Reaction
an unexpected reaction to drugs or alcohol that is the opposite of the intended reaction.
AIDS
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Alcoholics Anonymous
This is a voluntary organization founded in 1935 with aim of eliminating alcoholism in individuals and society. The Twelve Suggested Steps of AA are the basic tenets on which recovery from alcoholism is based.
Alcoholism
Chronic dependence and addiction to alcohol. This is a disease that is progressive and fatal.
Ambivalence
Prevalence of contradictory feelings in an individual for the same person or object.
Amphetamine
This is classified as a stimulant under a broad classification of drugs.
Anorexia: A condition where there is absence of appetite for food.
AOD
Alcohol and Other Drugs.
AODA
Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse.
Assessment
Analyzing a person’s psychological makeup, sociological background, work and educational history, personal issues, etc, through an interview or a series of interviews. This is the first step in a drug or alcohol rehab program.
Aversive Conditioning
A type of behavioral therapy to control undesirable behavior like addiction or sexual deviations.
B
Barbiturate
A classification of related sedative-hypnotic compounds that share a six-membered ring structure.
Behaviorism
A branch of study under human psychology that is based on observations and conclusions on behavior that is definable and measurable.
Biofeedback
The process of using signals to control normal, involuntary physiological processes.
Blood Alcohol Level
The amount of alcohol concentration in blood expressed in percent by weight.
Bulimia
Binge eating in a short period of time..
C
Caffeine
An alkaloid that is a stimulant and diuretic. Found in coffee, tea and kola nuts.
Carcinogen
Cancer causing agent
Causal factors
The reasons or conditions that influence chemical dependency in an individual.
CCDC
Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor
Chemical
A substance that can alter body function.
Chemical Dependence
Dependence on a chemical.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Denotes the spinal cord and brain.
Cirrhosis
A chronic disease of the liver. Could lead to scarring or total failure of the liver.
Classical Conditioning
According to the Farlex Free Dictionary, “Classical conditioning is a process of behavior modification by which a subject comes to respond in a desired manner to a previously neutral stimulus that has been repeatedly presented along with an unconditioned stimulus that elicits the desired response.
Co-Dependence
In drug or alcohol rehab parlance, when a person assumes responsibility for the actions of others to protect the other person from the consequences, it is called Co-dependence.
Codeine
A sedative and pain relieving drug. Found in opium.
Cognitive Therapy / Processing
According to the Farlex Free Dictionary, Cognitive Therapy is defines as “A form of psychotherapy using imagery, self-instruction, and related techniques to alter distorted attitudes and perceptions.”
Competencies
Skills needed to perform certain functions.
Conditioning
A behavior modification process.
Confirmed Infectious TB Case
An individual who has been confirmed to have infectious tuberculosis.
Crisis Intervention
Intervention provided during a crisis that threatens the functioning of an individual or family.
Cross Dependence
The mechanism by which one drug can reduce or prevent the withdrawal symptoms associated with another drug.
Cross Tolerance
When tolerance to one drug results in a lessened response to another drug, it is called cross tolerance.
D
Denial
Denying or refusing to admit that one has a problem with alcohol or drugs.
Depression
An inactive state coupled with sadness.
DEA
Drug Enforcement Administration.
Depressant
A broad classification of drugs that sedate by attacking the central nervous system.
Detoxification
Eradicating harmful, toxic substances from the body.
Disease Model
A theory that says alcoholism is a disease. This theory is supported by WHO and other alcoholism eradication organizations.
Disorganization
A state of confused, impaired, and inefficient emotional abilities.
Downers
A broad classification of substances such as alcohol, barbiturates, depressants and tranquilizers.
Drug Misuse
Use of a drug for purposes other than for which it is manufactured.
Drug Tolerance
Decrease in responsiveness to a drug. A progressive condition.
Dual-Diagnosis
Condition of mental patients on mind altering drugs.
DUI
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol.
DWI
Driving While Intoxicated.
E
Enzyme
A biological chemical made of protein.
Ethanol
Ethyl alcohol.
F
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
Birth defects such as developmental retardation and cardiac abnormalities seen in babies of mothers who are addicted to alcohol.
Fetal Drug Syndrome (FDS)
Premature delivery, growth retardation, spontaneous abortion, and withdrawal symptoms seen in the babies of mothers who abuse drugs, especially during pregnancy.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
A U.S. federal government agency that determines the quality and safety standards for drugs, food, and cosmetics.
H
Hallucination
False perception of sensations, auditory or visual.
Hallucinogen
Chemical substance that induces hallucination.
High Risk Work Environment
Any facility that houses inmates with contagious diseases and conditions.
HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus; the virus that causes AIDS.
I
Inhalant
Inhalable chemical substance.
Illicit Drugs
Illegal drugs, possession and sales of which is a crime.
Interpersonal Relationships
Social relations between individuals or groups.
Intoxication
A state in which senses are impaired.
Involuntary Smoking
Inhaling cigarette smoke of others. Related to passive smoking.
M
Medical Model
A theory that says drug addiction is a medical problem.
Metabolism (of drugs)
Physical and chemical reactions a body carries out to process and excrete drugs.
Morphine
A highly abused drug that is a pain relieving sedative.
Methadone
A synthetically produced opiate type drug.
N
Narcotic
A drug with the power to sedate or cause drowsiness people and reduce pain.
NCADD
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.
Neurotransmitter
A chemical released by neurons to communicate with one another. Example
Dopamine, Serotonin, GABA, etc.
Nicotine
The main ingredient in tobacco, which is extremely toxic, and causes constriction of blood vessels and increases heart rate and blood pressure.
NBAE
National Board of Addiction Examiners – a non-profit organization belonging to the National Association of Forensic Counselors.
O
Operant Conditioning
According to Farlex Free Dictionary, Operant Conditioning is a process of behavior modification in which the likelihood of a specific behavior is increased or decreased through positive or negative reinforcement each time the behavior is exhibited, so that the subject comes to associate the pleasure or displeasure of the reinforcement with the behavior.
Opiate
Any sedative narcotic containing opium or its synthetic derivatives.
Opioids
Synthetic opiates.
Over-the-Counter Drugs
Drugs sold without a prescription; usually illegal.
P
Pep pills
Denotes amphetamines.
Pharmacology
The study of drugs, medicines and their action on living things.
Placebo
An inactive substance or preparation used as a control in an experiment or test to determine the effectiveness of a medicinal drug (Farlex Free Dictionary).
Precursor
A compound that gives rise to another compound in a metabolic sequence of reactions.
Prescription Drugs
Drugs available only on a written order/request from a qualified medical practitioner.
Prevention (primary)
A process that creates conditions which promote the well being of people.
Prevention (secondary)
A process that detects problems and intervenes to make sure the problems do not become more severe.
Prevention (tertiary)
A process that rehabilitates people with severe disorders.
Prognosis
A prediction of the probable outcome of a disease.
Psychedelic
A cam state of mind and pleasurable perceptions caused by mind altering drugs.
Psychoactive Drug
Any drug that causes change in mood and/or behavior due to changes in the functions of the brain.
Psychotherapy
The treatment of mental and emotional disorders through the use of psychological techniques designed to encourage communication of conflicts and insight into problems, with the goal being relief of symptoms, changes in behavior leading to improved social and vocational functioning, and personality growth. (Farlex Free Dictionary)
Psychotropic Drug
Any chemical substance that acts by affecting psychic mood behavior or experience.
Psychological Dependence
A psychological compulsion to use a particular drug or alcohol.
Psychopharmacology
The study of the effects of drugs on the psychology of people.
Psychiatrist
A trained doctor in psychiatrics.
R
Receptor
A protein in the cytoplasm or membrane that interacts with a hormone, drug or neurotransmitter.
Recidivism
Return to a previous type of behavior. Example
drug or alcohol relapse.
Rehabilitate
To restore to normalcy or a previous state of well being.
Relapse
The return of a person to alcoholism or drug abuse, either temporarily or permanently.
Relapse Prevention
A therapeutic process to stop a person from relapsing.
Reversed Tolerance
Progressive increase in responsiveness to a particular drug.
S
Self-help Group
A group of individuals with similar problems that supports and mentors each other.
Self Reporting Screening Inventory
Devices that can be used to determine whether full screen testing is needed for an AODA patient.
Side Effects
Undesirable secondary effects.
Social Model
Permanent lifestyle changes in a recovering addict to help him/her live a productive and sober life.
Steroids
Any of numerous naturally occurring or synthetic fat-soluble organic compounds having as a basis 17 carbon atoms arranged in four rings and including the sterols and bile acids, adrenal and sex hormones, certain natural drugs such as digitalis compounds, and the precursors of certain vitamins. (Farlex Free Dictionary)
Stimulant
Drugs that stimulate excitement by acting on the Central Nervous System (CNS).
Straight
Sober.
Substance Abuse
Misuse of drugs, cigarettes or alcohol.
Syndrome
Symptoms and signs of a disease or condition.
Synergism
The resultant effect of using a combination of drugs at the same time.
T
TB
Tuberculosis (Disease)
TB Bacilli
The bacteria that causes tuberculosis.
Therapeutic Community
A group of individuals with similar problems that provide mutual support.
Tolerance
A state in which an individual must increase the dosage or drug or alcohol to arrive at the same effect.
Toxicity
The amount or degree of harmfulness caused by a chemical.
Tranquilizers
Chemical substances used to relieve anxiety and psychosis by producing a deep sense of calm.
U
Ups or Uppers
Chemical substances that stimulate.
V
Values
Set of standards.
W
Withdrawal Syndrome
Reactions, physical and/or psychological, which occur when a person stops the use of a drug abruptly.