Recovery Resource Center
Recovery glossary
Use this page when a treatment, sober-living, mental-health, family-support, or faith-related term needs a plain explanation before you keep reading.
How to use it
Start with the word that is slowing you down.
Definitions stay plain, practical, and connected to deeper articles when you need more context than a short answer can provide.
Good to know
- The glossary explains terms. It does not replace assessment, therapy, medical care, or detox guidance.
- Definitions here are educational and not individualized clinical advice.
- Use the related article links when a short definition is not enough for the decision in front of you.
Popular starting points
C
Triggers and cravings
Craving
A craving is a strong urge or pull toward substance use or another old coping pattern. It can involve thoughts, body sensations, memories, planning, and a sudden narrowing of attention around relief. A craving is serious, but it is not the same thing as a final decision.
Also searched as: urge, urges
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G
Coping skills
Grounding
Grounding is a practical skill that helps bring attention back to the present moment when stress, cravings, panic, or emotional flooding make clear thinking harder. It often uses breath, sensory awareness, movement, or physical contact with the environment to reduce overwhelm enough for a safer next step.
Also searched as: grounding technique, grounding techniques
S
Understanding addiction
Substance use disorder
Substance use disorder is the clinical term for a pattern of alcohol or drug use that leads to impairment, loss of control, risky use, or continued use despite harm. It can range in severity and may involve withdrawal, cravings, relapse risk, and co-occurring mental-health concerns.
Also searched as: sud
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T
Triggers and cravings
Trigger
A trigger is a cue, situation, state, memory, or pattern that raises the urge to use substances or return to another unhealthy coping behavior. Triggers may be external, such as people or places, or internal, such as shame, loneliness, exhaustion, or body tension.
Also searched as: internal trigger, external trigger, triggers
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