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
Therapy and clinical education
CBT
CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It is a structured therapy approach that looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact, then teaches people to challenge distorted thinking, respond differently to triggers, and build more workable coping patterns.
Also searched as: cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy
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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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R
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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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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