Addiction Medicine Glossary

Public health intervention providing sterile injection equipment to reduce disease transmission among drug users.

Systematic evaluation of cognitive functions affected by substance use to guide treatment planning and rehabilitation.

Licensed facility providing comprehensive treatment including methadone, counseling, and medical services.

Clinical diagnosis characterized by problematic pattern of opioid use leading to significant impairment or distress.

Opioid Treatment Program, federally regulated clinic providing methadone and other medications for opioid addiction.

Medication that activates receptors to a lesser degree than full agonists, providing therapeutic effect with reduced ris...

Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome; prolonged symptoms following initial detoxification.

Blood concentration measurements taken at maximum and minimum points in medication dosing cycles.

Dosing strategy that alternates between higher and lower medication doses to optimize therapeutic effects while minimizi...

Genetic testing to determine how an individual's genetic makeup affects their response to addiction treatment medication...

The study of how the body processes medications, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination.

Partial Hospitalization Program - a day treatment program providing intensive therapeutic services for several hours dai...

The simultaneous or sequential use of multiple different substances, creating complex patterns of addiction and increase...

Concurrent or alternating use of multiple psychoactive substances by an individual.

A medication or substance that triggers adverse reactions or withdrawal symptoms when used with addiction treatment medi...

Sudden onset of withdrawal symptoms triggered by administration of an antagonist medication.

A specific trigger or event that leads to substance use relapse or the onset of addictive behaviors.

Extended period of subtle withdrawal symptoms that persist beyond acute detoxification, lasting weeks to months.

Abnormal lengthening of heart's electrical recovery phase, a serious side effect of methadone and other medications.

Pattern of frequent relapse and remission in substance use disorders, particularly challenging for treatment planning.

Laboratory measures that indicate physiological healing and progress in addiction recovery.

Internal and external resources available to support an individual's recovery from addiction.

Systematic evaluation of a patient's resources, relationships, and assets that support sustained recovery from substance...

A peer support specialist who provides non-clinical assistance to individuals in addiction recovery.