Sober Living Glossary
Sober Living Glossary
Understanding Recovery Terminology
The path to sobriety is filled with growth, challenges, and transformation. Along the way, you may come across new terms and acronyms that can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re navigating treatment programs, sober living, or insurance processes.
To make things easier, we’ve put together a helpful glossary that breaks down commonly used recovery terms. Whether you’re just starting your journey or well into your sobriety, understanding these key concepts will empower you to make informed decisions and feel more confident in your recovery process.
12-Step Program
The 12-step program is a free, peer-based recovery support system, widely recognized as the gold standard for recovery programs. It is the oldest and most successful approach of its kind, offering a structured path to overcoming addiction through shared experiences and mutual support.
AA
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a 12-step recovery program specifically designed for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction. It provides a supportive community and structured approach to help members achieve and maintain sobriety.
Abstinence
In the context of addiction, abstinence refers to the complete avoidance of all substance use.
ACT
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a cognitive-behavioral approach for treating addiction that focuses on Acceptance, Mindfulness, and aligning actions with personal values. It helps individuals develop psychological flexibility and make meaningful life changes.
Acute Care
Acute care is typically short-term, immediate medical attention provided by professionals, usually lasting up to a month. For many patients in rehab, it serves as the first stage of medical intervention, addressing urgent needs and stabilizing health.
Addiction Counselor
An addiction counselor, also known as a substance abuse counselor, is usually a non-medically credentialed professional who offers various levels of support and guidance within an addiction treatment setting. They help individuals navigate their recovery journey by providing counseling, resources, and coping strategies.
Aftercare
After completing treatment or rehab, post-treatment recommendations typically include ongoing care strategies to support long-term recovery. These may involve outpatient therapy, support group meetings (such as 12-step programs), continued counseling, sober living arrangements, and regular check-ins with a recovery coach or sponsor. The goal is to maintain sobriety, address any lingering challenges, and prevent relapse through structured and supportive care.
Al-Anon
Al-Anon is a 12-step support program for friends, families, and loved ones of individuals struggling with alcoholism. Participants share their experiences, offer encouragement, and build a supportive network to help each other cope with the challenges and emotional impact of having a loved one battling addiction.
Alternative Treatment
Al-Anon is a 12-step support program designed for the friends, families, and loved ones of individuals struggling with alcoholism. The program provides a space for attendees to share their stories, exchange experiences, and build a supportive network to help one another navigate the emotional challenges and difficulties of having a loved one dealing with addiction.
Assessment
An assessment is the process of determining whether clinical intervention is needed and, if so, to what extent or degree. It involves evaluating an individual’s condition to identify the most appropriate level of care or treatment.
Behavioral Addictions
Assessment is the process of determining whether clinical intervention is needed and to what extent. It involves evaluating an individual’s condition to establish the appropriate level of care or treatment required.
Behavioral Health
Psychiatry is a sub-field of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health issues and disorders.
Biological Model of Addiction
The disease model of addiction is a theory that emphasizes the biological and genetic predisposition to developing an addiction, suggesting that certain individuals have a pre-determined risk or vulnerability, often described as “running in the family.”
Bump Up
“Step-up care” is a term used to describe a transition to a more intensive or involved level of care, often in response to a patient’s changing needs or condition.
CA
Cocaine Anonymous. A 12-step program for those struggling with cocaine addiction
CARF
A nationally recognized third-party agency that accredits substance abuse treatment facilities
Case Management
A collaborative approach to recovery, including care coordination, assessment, periodic evaluation, planning and advocacy for services and options to assist with disease management. Case management may involve connecting various service providers and members of a patients support network together to work synergistically towards the common goal of establishing and maintaining sobriety.
CBT
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. A psycho-social form of therapeutically intervention, with a focus on challenging and altering cognitive behavior, controlling emotions, and developing personalized coping mechanisms.
Co-Dependency
A strong psychological and/or emotional reliance on another individual. Often a close friend or significant other.
Cold Turkey
“Cold turkey” refers to the abrupt and complete stoppage of an addictive substance, without any gradual reduction or tapering. It involves quitting immediately and entirely, often leading to intense withdrawal symptoms.
Compulsive Behaviors
Referring to a behavior that is often done absent of conscious though or planning, sometimes repetitively or persistently, even in the absence of pleasure or reward, and often to the detriment of the individual.
Contingency Management
Contingency management is a method that uses motivational incentives (the “carrot and stick” approach) to encourage and reinforce positive behaviors, often by rewarding desired actions and discouraging undesirable ones.
Co-occurring Disorders
The term “co-occurring disorders” is used to describe the presence of two or more disorders at the same time, including both mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
Co-Pay
Typically expressed as a percent or flat rate, this is the fee owed by the patient seeking medical assistance or treatment. For example, if insurance covers 80% with a 20% co-pay, the patient seeking behavioral health or medical care would owe 20% of the bill.
DBT
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy designed to treat conditions such as borderline personality disorder, self-harm, substance abuse, suicidal ideation, and mood disorders. It focuses on building skills in mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
DDAP
The State Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs is an agency responsible for evaluating, granting, and renewing licenses for behavioral health and treatment centers. Its primary role is to ensure these facilities meet regulatory standards for providing care.
Dual Diagnosis
Dual diagnosis refers to the simultaneous presence of multiple mental health and/or substance use disorders. It is also commonly known as a “co-occurring disorder.”
