Abstinence is the absence of substance use. There are many different ways to practice abstinence.
- Continuous abstinence: not consuming the drug of choice during a specified period of time
- Essentially abstinent: not consuming more than a specified amount of the drug over a period of time
- Minimal abstinence: achieving a minimal period of recovery during a period of time
- Point-in-time abstinence: not consuming the drug of choice at a single point in time (e.g., the past 30 days)
- Complete abstinence: continuous abstinence from all alcohol and other drugs
- Involuntary abstinence: enforced abstinence due to hospitalization or incarceration