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
A
Treatment planning
Aftercare
Aftercare refers to the support planned for after a person leaves a higher level of care. It may include outpatient treatment, sober living, meetings, therapy, medication follow-up, support contacts, and relapse-prevention planning.
Also searched as: post-treatment plan
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L
Relapse prevention
Lapse
A lapse often refers to a brief return to substance use or another old behavior pattern. Different programs use the term differently, but the main issue is not the label. The important question is what happened, what risk is present now, and what support should change immediately.
Also searched as: slip
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R
Relapse prevention
Relapse
Relapse is often described as a return to substance use after a period of reduction or abstinence, but in practice many clinicians and recovery communities also talk about relapse as a process with emotional, mental, behavioral, and environmental warning signs that begin earlier.
Also searched as: return to use
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Relapse prevention
Relapse-prevention plan
A relapse-prevention plan is a written guide that covers warning signs, triggers, coping skills, support contacts, safe places, environmental safeguards, and what to do if risk rises quickly. It should stay specific enough to use under stress.
Also searched as: prevention plan, relapse plan
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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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W
Relapse prevention
Warning sign
A warning sign is an early emotional, mental, behavioral, or environmental indicator that relapse risk may be rising. Warning signs often include secrecy, resentment, sleep disruption, skipped support, romanticizing use, or reconnecting with high-risk settings.
Also searched as: warning signs, early warning sign
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