Glossary

Recurrence of Use: Recurrence of use is when someone begins using a substance again after having made the decision to stop. The highest risk for recurrence of substance use disorder symptoms occurs during the first 90 days following the initial intervention. The risk for recurrence of symptoms decreases after 90 days. This indicates that individuals attempting to recover from substance use disorder need the most intensive support during this first 3-month period, as individuals are experiencing substantial physiological, psychological, and social changes during this early recovery phase. There is typically a greater sensitivity to stress and lowered sensitivity to reward that makes continued recovery challenging.

Remission: The complete absence of symptoms or the presence of symptoms but below a specified threshold. An individual is considered to “in remission” if they once met criteria for a substance use disorder, but have not surpassed the threshold number of criteria within the past year or longer.

Residential Services: Residential rehabilitation services are designed to treat persons who have significant social and psychological problems. There are different levels of intensity of services provided based on individual need and some specialized residential rehabilitation programs exist; men/women and women and children.

Secondary Prevention: Secondary Prevention involves intervening when risk or problem behaviors surface (At Risk). This usually takes the form of screening for early identification of problems, education programs, and case management.

Shame: A painful, negative emotion, which can be caused or exacerbated by conduct that violates personal values. Can also stem from deeply held beliefs that one is somehow flawed and unworthy of love, support, and connection, leading to increased odds of isolation.

Sobriety: When a person is not intoxicated or affected by the use of alcohol or drugs.

Social Setting Detoxification (Social Detox): Detoxification in an organized residential setting to deliver non-medical support to achieve initial recovery from the effects of alcohol or another drug. Staff provide safe, twenty-four-hour monitoring, observation, and support in a supervised environment for patients. Social detoxification is characterized by an emphasis on peer and social support for patients whose intoxication or withdrawal signs and symptoms require twenty-four-hour structure and support but do not require medically managed inpatient detoxification.

Sponsor: A volunteer, usually a peer, who provides support, encouragement, and guidance to promote sustained long-term recovery.

Stigma: Stigma is when someone assumes negative qualities about another person because of their substance use. Discrimination is when someone treats another person in a negative way because of their substance use. Social stigma and discrimination can make substance use problems worse and stop a person from getting the help they need.

Stimulant: A psychoactive substance that increases or arouses physiologic or nervous system activity in the body. A stimulant will typically increase alertness, attention, and energy through a corresponding increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rates. Informally referred to as “uppers” (e.g., cocaine, amphetamine/methamphetamine).