Glossary of Terms and Recovery Resources
Key National Resources
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
An agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance behavioral health, reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness, and provide grants, resources, and national helplines.
Website: https://www.samhsa.gov
Phone: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
The SAMHSA Language Assistance Services ensures that people whose primary language is not English can request free interpretation or translated materials (e.g., Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese).
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
The largest grassroots mental health organization in the United States, dedicated to building better lives for people affected by mental illness through education, advocacy, support groups, and community programs.
Website: https://www.nami.org
Phone: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
Treatment Atlas
A free and confidential resource to find and compare addiction treatment programs. They believe everyone deserves care that best meets their health needs and preferences. The Shatterproof organization created this. Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming addiction treatment, ending stigma, and supporting communities.
Continued Glossary of Terms and Recovery Resources
Addiction
A chronic, potentially relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive substance or behavioral seeking, continued use despite attempts to cease, with harmful consequences to self and others, plus changes in the brain.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
A worldwide fellowship of people recovering from alcoholism through shared experiences, 12-step work, and peer support.
https://www.aa.org/find-aa
(212) 870-3400
All Recovery Meetings
They are for everyone and honor all pathways of recovery.
Inclusive meetings that welcome people from any recovery pathways.
Anhedonia
A condition characterized by the inability to experience joy or pleasure.
Asian Recovery Resources –
A commitment to ensure that members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities have access to recovery, prevention, and mental health resources. A curated list of recovery and mental health resources specifically for the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
https://www.safeproject.us/resource/aapi/
Autonomic Nervous System - The part of the nervous system that automatically regulates involuntary body functions such as heart rate, breathing, digestion, and gland activity.
Behave Directory (NARR / recovery residences directory)
Behave Directory of NARR Certified Organizations … This comprehensive bed directory helps individuals and organizations locate certified recovery residences.
https://behavehealth.com/directory
BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration)
The measure of alcohol intoxication is expressed as the percentage of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream.
Buddhist Recovery Network
A network integrating Buddhist teachings and mindfulness practices with addiction recovery.
Bupeprinorphine
A partial opioid agonist medication like methadone is used to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms in the treatment of opioid use disorder.
Cannabis (marijuana) Types
Delta-9 THC
Available Legally in Certain U.S. States for Medical and or recreational (adult use). Must be 21 to purchase
The primary psychoactive compound in cannabis is responsible for the “high,” known for its strong binding to CB1 receptors in the brain.
Legal CBD smoke shops often sell these hemp-derived cannabinoids because they can be manufactured from CBD and fall into regulatory gray areas under U.S. federal law, though state laws vary, and can sell the following to minors at retail or online:
Delta-8 THC
A hemp-derived cannabinoid chemically similar to Delta-9 THC but generally less potent, producing milder psychoactive effects.
HHC-P (Hexahydrocannabinol-P)
A hydrogenated cannabinoid analog believed to be stronger and longer-lasting than Delta-9 THC, though research is still limited.
THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid)
A non-psychoactive precursor to THC found in raw cannabis that becomes psychoactive Delta-9 THC when heated (decarboxylated).
THC-B (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
A rare cannabinoid structurally related to THC with limited research but thought to have strong CB1 receptor binding, potentially increasing potency.
THC-P (Tetrahydrocannabiphorol)
A newly discovered cannabinoid is reported to be up to 30 times more active at CB1 receptors than Delta-9 THC, making it tremendously potent in small amounts.
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS)
Some long-term users may develop periods of extreme nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Chronic use appears to overstimulate natural cannabinoid receptors in the gut and brain, which may interfere with the body's ability to regulate nausea, vomiting, and stomach emptying, even though THC usually lessens nausea in small or infrequent doses. This can eventually reverse the effects of cannabis, causing cycles of intense vomiting and stomach pain rather than reducing nausea.
CARS – peer recovery
Directory of Peer Recovery Organizations … This directory lists Peer Recovery Organizations (PROs) by state.
https://www.carsrecovery.org/directory-of-peer-recovery-organizations
CIWA (Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol)
A clinician-administered formal rating instrument to score and track the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms so that they knew which medications and how much in the context of detox. The test has 10 items: nausea, tremors, sweating, anxiety, agitation, and hallucinations, and a maximum score of 67; as higher scores equal more severe withdrawal.
Campral (Acamprosate)
A prescription medication used to reduce cravings and support abstinence from alcohol, and often combined with gabapentin to reduce anxiety and insomnia.
CareerOneStopEmployment - Workforce Development
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment & Training Administration, it serves as a centralized hub for career exploration, job search tools, training programs, labor market data, and other resources to help job seekers, students, employers, and workforce professionals.
https://www.careeronestop.org/
This is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment & Training Administration; it serves as a centralized hub for career exploration, job search tools, training programs, labor market data, and other resources to help job seekers, students, employers, and workforce professionals.
https://www.careeronestop.org/
Central Nervous Systems
The sympathetic nervous system prepares your body for action by sending alert signals, while the parasympathetic nervous system calms it down.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
A standard therapy used in addiction treatment that focuses on changing negative thoughts and behaviors.
DanceSafe
Since 1998, DanceSafe has operated as a nonprofit organization in Colorado. They prioritize the safety and education of partygoers. At events, they distribute test substance kits and earplugs. With an emphasis on social justice, their booths provide resources and candid conversations about consent, sexual health, drug safety, and political advocacy. Additionally, test kits are available on Amazon. www.dancesafe.org (888) 636-2411
Danny’s Ride
Honoring Danny’s legacy of compassion and generosity, they provide free rides to recovery services for people living with substance use disorders. Have your provider contact Nancy Knoebel at 484.265.1411 for more information
Dharma Recovery
A peer-led, non-theistic recovery fellowship founded in 2019 that integrates Buddhist practices (meditation, inquiry, the Four Noble Truths, ethical living) with abstinence and community support to help people heal from addiction.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
A therapy combining CBT with mindfulness is often used in treating co-occurring disorders and emotional regulation issues.
DTs
DTs delirium tremens from alcohol withdrawal.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
A modern, safe treatment for severe depression and other mental illnesses that uses controlled electrical stimulation to trigger brief seizures, relieving symptoms when other methods fail and differing significantly from older, stigmatized practices.
Epigenetics
Is science showing that life experiences can switch genes on or off without changing DNA?
Faces & Voices of Recovery
We are the nation’s leading non‑profit recovery advocacy organization … we walk side‑by‑side with recovery community organizations, peer support specialists, communities, and thought leaders … to advocate for normalizing recovery and de‑stigmatizing addiction.
https://facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/
Halfway House
A residential facility that provides structured living and supervision for people transitioning from inpatient treatment, incarceration, or homelessness back into the community. Halfway houses often have time limits, mandatory programming, and rules set by courts, treatment centers, or social services.
Harm Reduction
Harm reduction centers provide services that aim to reduce the negative consequences of drug and alcohol use without necessarily requiring abstinence. These centers typically offer clean syringe exchanges, safe disposal of used equipment, naloxone (Narcan) distribution and training to reverse overdoses, HIV and hepatitis C testing, basic medical care, MAT and methadone administration, peer recovery support, drug testing kits, and referrals to treatment or social services. Their goal is to keep people safer, healthier, and connected to resources—even if they are not ready to stop using substances. https://harmreduction.org/
Headstart
The Head Start Program is a federally funded initiative that promotes the school readiness of children from birth to age 5 in low-income families by providing comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and family support services. For more information or to locate a program near you, call toll-free 1-866-763-6481 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. ET). HeadStart.gov+1
Homeless Solutions National Hotline – 611
Dial “2-1-1” to reach the national Homeless Solutions Hotline, which connects callers to local shelters, housing aid, and emergency support services — https://www.211.org/
Hydrocodone
A semi-synthetic opioid developed initially as a cough suppressant and now widely prescribed for moderate to severe pain, often in combination with acetaminophen; it carries a high risk of dependence and misuse.
Indian (Eastern Diaspora) - Americans who practice Hinduism can find addiction recovery programs that combine evidence-based treatment with Hindu spiritual practices such as worship, meditation, and yoga. https://rehabnet.com/treatment/faith-based/hindu/
(732) 902-2561
The Jana Raksha Community Care Program, https://arshabodha.org/programs/community-service/jana-raksha/
IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program)
A structured, non-residential treatment program for substance use and mental health disorders that provides several hours of therapy and support multiple days per week. IOPs allow participants to continue living at home and working while receiving a higher level of care than standard outpatient treatment.
JAAN (Jewish Addiction Awareness Network)
Jewish Addiction Awareness Network (JAAN) connects families and individuals to information, support, tools, and Jewish perspectives to help them face addiction and work toward recovery. https://jaanetwork.org/
Ketamine
A dissociative anesthetic developed in the 1960s for surgical use, now sometimes misused recreationally for its hallucinogenic and dissociative effects. It carries risks of abuse and dependence but is also used in medical settings for anesthesia, severe pain, and investigational treatment of substance use disorders.
Esketamine (Spravato®)
A nasal spray form of ketamine approved by the FDA for treatment-resistant depression. Administered in certified clinics under medical supervision, Esketamine works rapidly on mood symptoms but carries the same cautions about misuse and requires ongoing monitoring.
Kratom
A legal, widely available herbal substance sold everywhere, which can produce opioid-like and stimulant-like effects, and some people use it to ease opioid withdrawal, manage pain, or improve mood and energy. Although the FDA has not approved any medical uses for kratom, research continues to explore both its potential therapeutic value and its health risks. High-dose use has been linked to psychiatric, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and respiratory problems.
MARA Meetings
For those participating in MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment)
https://www.mara-international.org/
LifeRing Secular Recovery
A secular, abstinence-based recovery fellowship that encourages individuals to build personal recovery plans supported by peer-to-peer meetings. Unlike 12-step groups, LifeRing does not use religious or spiritual frameworks; instead, it focuses on self-empowerment and mutual support.
https://www.lifering.org
Phone: (800) 811-4142
Lochness Medical Supply
Harm reduction test kits for nitazenes and other less common drugs are only available in bulk. Some are available on Amazon.
888.506.2658 in Buffalo, NY.
MARA—Medication Assisted Recovery Anonymous
It is designed to be a non-judgmental space where all individuals using medication to support their recovery are welcome. This is for participants who are on Suboxone, Methadone, Sublocade, or Vivitrol, which stop cravings, reduce reward, and help to curtail desires to use or drink. There’s also Campral, naltrexone, and Antabuse for alcoholism. Ozempic® is now being evaluated and used for alcohol reduction as well. Everyone’s different, and good psychiatrists or APNs with addiction specialties can prescribe and work with individuals for the right medicine or combination thereof.
https://www.mara-international.org
Marijuana Anonymous
A 12-step fellowship for people seeking recovery from marijuana addiction. https://www.marijuana-anonymous.org
(800) 766-6779
MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment):
An evidence-based approach to treating substance use disorders that combines FDA-approved medications—such as methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, or acamprosate—with counseling and behavioral therapies. MAT helps reduce cravings, stabilize brain chemistry, and support long-term recovery while lowering the risk of relapse and overdose. Examples:
Naltrexone
An opioid antagonist medication that blocks the effects of opioids and alcohol; available in daily pill form or as the monthly injection Vivitrol.
Suboxone
A combination medication containing buprenorphine and naloxone is used to treat opioid use disorder; buprenorphine reduces cravings while naloxone helps prevent misuse.
Sublocade
An extended-release injectable form of buprenorphine given monthly to treat opioid use disorder, designed to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Subutex
A brand name for buprenorphine tablets used in the treatment of opioid dependence, typically prescribed without naloxone during pregnancy or in exceptional cases.
Vivitrol
A long-acting injectable form of naltrexone is administered monthly to block the euphoric effects of opioids and alcohol, supporting relapse prevention.
For Alcohol:
Acamprosate (Campral)
A medication that helps maintain abstinence in people with alcohol use disorder by stabilizing brain chemistry and reducing cravings; usually taken three times daily.
Disulfiram (Antabuse)
A medication that discourages drinking by causing unpleasant reactions—such as nausea, flushing, and palpitations—if alcohol is consumed.
Medetomidine
Like Xylezine, a potent sedative and analgesic primarily used in veterinary medicine to calm animals, provide anesthesia, or manage pain. It acts as an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, slowing heart rate and reducing blood pressure. In recent years, medetomidine has drawn concern in toxicology and law enforcement because it has been found in combination with opioids (like fentanyl) in illicit drug supplies, increasing overdose risk.
Medical Field Recovery
Here are some U.S. resources and programs specifically tailored for medical professionals (physicians, nurses, APNs, etc.) facing substance use, recovery, or professional impairment issues:
- Caduceus Meetings / IDAA (International Doctors in Alcoholics Anonymous) https://www.idaa.org – Confidential 12-step recovery support for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals.
Phone: (256) 883-3090
- American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) https://www.asam.org
Offers professional education, certification, and advocacy for clinicians specializing in addiction treatment.
Phone: (301) 656-3920
American Addiction Centers – Healthcare Professionals Recovery Program (https://americanaddictioncenters.org/healthcare-professionals) – Specialized treatment tracks for doctors, nurses, and medical staff addressing confidentiality and licensing issues.
Phone: (888) 970-3011
- NIDA / NIDAMED Resources https://nida.nih.gov/resources-medical-health-professionals
Evidence-based tools and clinical guidance for medical professionals on addiction, treatment, and recovery. Phone: (301) 443-1124
Moderation Management
A behavioral change program and support network for people concerned about their drinking and seeking to reduce or moderate their alcohol use.
https://www.moderation.org
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing (MI): Motivational interviewing (MI) is used to determine whether an alcoholic/addict wants to stop using. It’s a cooperative, successful strategy for persuading people to reevaluate their drinking habits. I begin by demonstrating empathy and making a sincere effort to comprehend their thoughts, emotions, and experiences without passing judgment.
Narcan
Narcan (naloxone) is a medication used to rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, restoring normal respiration and consciousness in individuals who have overdosed on opioids like heroin, fentanyl, or prescription painkillers. Narcan can often be obtained without a prescription at pharmacies, specific clinics, peer recovery centers, harm reduction clinics, or community health programs, depending on local laws. It is typically administered as a nasal spray or intramuscular injection.
Free Narcan (naloxone) is available across the U.S. through state health departments, local harm-reduction programs, and participating pharmacies under standing orders. You can also request a free kit by mail from Next Distro. Their main contact info is: (646) 389-0752 (text)
https://nextdistro.org/naloxone
Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
A global 12-step fellowship offering peer support for people recovering from drug addiction.
https://www.na.org
(818) 773-9999
Native American–
- White Bison / Wellbriety Movement — provides sobriety, recovery, and wellness resources rooted in Indigenous culture, including recovery circles and spiritual practice. whitebison.org
- Indian Health Service (IHS) Best Practices — supports integration of traditional healing methods (ceremony, elders, community) with evidence-based treatments in tribal communities. ihs.gov
- NativeConnections — helps connect American Indian / Alaska Native people and families to substance use treatment and health services. nativeconnections.org
Never Use Alone
The US National Overdose Response line that people can call when they’re using by themselves, with no one to call for help. Volunteer operators will take one’s location information and alert EMS to that location if one stops responding after using. All operators have lived experience. No one will ever judge, shame, or lecture about quitting. All calls are confidential. No one will ever know who called; they never share your information with anyone other than EMS if they need to alert them.
800-484-3731 or 877-696-1996
Nitazenes
A class of highly potent synthetic opioids, stronger than fentanyl in some cases, is increasingly found in the illicit drug supply and is associated with high overdose risk.
The Noble Steps
Supports those who want to integrate secular Buddhist teachings and practices into their recovery from any addiction.
On the Wagon
The earliest printed appearance of the phrase "On the wagon," which meant someone had stopped drinking alcohol to stay sober, is in Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch (1901) by Alice Caldwell Hegan, where a character says, “I’m on the water-cart,” a likely precursor to “on the wagon.” This phrase originated in the U.S. and was inspired by the image of a water wagon spraying water on dusty streets. People who pledged to stop drinking were said to be "on the water wagon," meaning they were drinking water instead of liquor. Over time, it was shortened to "on the wagon" for sobriety and "falling off the wagon" for relapsing.
Opiates
Opiates refer to the compounds that naturally occur from opium poppy plants; opioids refer to the broader range, such as synthetics.
Opioids
Semi-synthetic drugs (like oxycodone and hydrocodone) and fully synthetic opioids (such as fentanyl and methadone). They are prescribed primarily for pain relief but carry a high risk of dependence, misuse, and overdose.
Overdose Outreach & Peer Recovery Programs (Overdose Response Program (ORP/ OHH / QRT / PORT Models)
In emergency rooms (ERs), ORP (Outpatient Recovery Program or Outpatient Recovery Plan)is often used as a bridge after a crisis or overdose.
QRT is an immediate follow-up (24–72 hrs..) by police/EMS/peers.
PORT is a public safety–health outreach team for post-overdose support.
OHH is NJ’s model (law enforcement + peers, home visits). OHH (Operation Helping Hand) is a post-overdose outreach program originally developed in New Jersey. In OHH, law enforcement, peer recovery specialists, and sometimes social services make home visits (“knock & talk”) to overdose survivors to offer treatment referrals, harm-reduction resources, and sustained recovery support instead of punitive measures. Narcan is provided, and other recovery information.
Post-Overdose Outreach (MA / PAARI model) — in Massachusetts and elsewhere, police + public health + recovery coaches partner to engage overdose survivors and connect them to services.
Warm Handoff / Hospital-Based Post-OD Outreach (PA, VA, others) — hospitals coordinate immediate referrals to outpatient programs, with peers meeting survivors before discharge.
Some hospital ERs/EDs (Emergency Departments) have, after patients are stabilized and examined by medical staff, a CPRS (Crisis Prevention and Response System), a Crisis Team, and/or social workers who work with patients to motivate them and provide recovery options.
Outpatient Treatment (IOP – Intensive Outpatient)
Non-residential treatment programs allow individuals to receive therapy and support while continuing daily responsibilities. These are usually three days a week, for three hours each. Some places have evening programs. They often have doctors on staff who can monitor medications and prescribe MAT (medically assisted treatment).
Oxycodone
A semi-synthetic opioid prescribed for moderate to severe pain that carries a high risk of misuse, dependence, and overdose; it is often combined with acetaminophen (as in Percocet) or formulated as extended-release (OxyContin).
OxyContin
A brand-name, extended-release formulation of oxycodone designed for around-the-clock management of severe pain. While effective medically, it became widely misused because tablets could be crushed or altered to release large doses at once, fueling the U.S. opioid epidemic. This was created by the Sackler Family and Purdue Pharma, headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, with facilities in North Carolina, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. It is being dissolved in bankruptcy and will be restructured as Knoa Pharma, a public benefit company focused on addressing the opioid crisis.
*Opioid Crisis Settlement Information at the end of the section.
PCP (phencyclidine)
It is a powerful dissociative drug originally developed in the 1950s as a surgical anesthetic, but discontinued because it caused severe hallucinations and agitation; today it has no medical use and is encountered only as an illicit street drug that powerfully distorts perception, thinking, and behavior.
PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program)
A highly structured, intensive treatment option for substance use or mental health disorders that provides several hours of clinical care each day—often five to seven days per week—while allowing participants to return home at night. PHPs are considered a step down from inpatient or residential treatment but more intensive than intensive outpatient programs (IOPs).
Peer Recovery Support
Support services are provided by individuals with lived experience in recovery, who are trained to assist others navigating their own recovery journeys.
Peer Recovery Directory – a comprehensive directory available in section XI of this book.
State‑by‑state directory of peer recovery coaching training and certification programs (compiled by brss‑tacs / faces & voices):
Poppers (amyl nitrite)
are inhaled vasodilators often used for a short, intense head rush and muscle relaxation during sex. Their frequent use can cause dizziness, low blood pressure, headaches, and, with heavy use, damage to blood cells and oxygen levels.
Recovery Action Plan (RAP)
A personalized, practical plan created by individuals in recovery to outline coping strategies, support contacts, and daily practices that help prevent relapse and maintain sobriety. Similar in spirit to the
Recovery
A personal journey of healing and transformation that includes achieving and maintaining abstinence or reduced use, improving health, and leading a meaningful life.
Recovery Capital
The sum of personal, social, community, and cultural resources that people build and draw upon to initiate and sustain long-term recovery from addiction.
Recovery Pathways
Different approaches individuals take to achieve and maintain recovery, including abstinence, harm reduction, and MAT.
Refuge Recovery
A Buddhist-inspired path to recovery using meditation, ethical living, and compassion as guiding principles.
https://refugerecoverymeetings.org/
Residential Treatment (Rehab) or In-Patient
A structured, live-in treatment program offering intensive therapy, education, and support for individuals recovering from substance use disorders.
For locations in your area, call SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
Website: https://www.samhsa.gov
Phone: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Secular Recovery
Secular - Various Pathways Secular AA serves the community of atheist, agnostic, and freethinking AA members.
Sober Living Home
A group residence for people in recovery that offers a supportive, substance-free environment. Unlike halfway houses, sober living homes are usually voluntary, less institutional, and have flexible lengths of stay. They focus on accountability, peer support, and gradual reintegration into independent living.
Group residences for people recovering from addiction, offering a supportive and structured living environment:
Oxford Housing
There are more than 3,400 Oxford Houses—peer-run sober living homes—located across the United States, with additional houses in several other countries. https://www.oxfordhouse.org/
SMART
SMART Recovery: A science-based program focusing on self-empowerment and self-reliance through cognitive behavioral tools. Resource/meeting link. SMART Recovery is a fresh and innovative approach. It stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training. Cognitive behavioral skills are developed to identify specific behaviors and change them.
https://www.smartrecovery.org
Phone: (440) 951-5357
Somatic Nervous System
The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles and carries sensory information—such as touch, pain, and temperature—to the central nervous system.
Spanish/Latino Recovery - For the Spanish-speaking community specifically, organizations such as the National Latino Behavioral Health Association and directories curated by SAFE Project offer culturally responsive addiction and mental health resources.
Call the Massachusetts resource for additional State contacts and phone numbers – (617) 661-3991
TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)
Uses external magnetic pulses in an outpatient setting for depression and other maladies to gently stimulate brain regions without seizures or anesthesia, versus ECT, which uses electricity under anesthesia to trigger controlled seizures for severe, treatment-resistant illness.
TRS – Telephone Recovery Support. Most CPRCs (Certified Peer Recovery Centers) are equipped to conduct intakes with individuals and to schedule free, regular weekly calls with participants for accountability and mentoring.
Unity Recovery
An inclusive, peer-led recovery community that honors all pathways of recovery—12-step, medication-assisted, secular, and spiritual. Unity Recovery offers meetings, mutual support, education, and recovery housing, emphasizing that there is no single right way to recover.
https://unityrecovery.org/
Vagus Nerve
Our largest nerve, the vagus nerve, originates in the brain, just behind the ears, and then travels throughout our tissues and organs, regulating our responses to restore, relax, and digest. Vagus is Latin for 'wanderer' because this component travels throughout our system. By toning, one can greatly enhance their recovery. Great free instructional from Dr. Navaz Habib at Rupa Health. (669) 294-2703
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=vmtAoOsZ41E
PRN
PRN (Per Re Nata, Latin for "as needed") is used in the medical field to indicate prescription medicines to be administered as needed.
Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming addiction treatment, ending stigma, and supporting communities. They created and provide a free Comprehensive Recovery Database called Treatment Atlas, a confidential resource for finding and comparing addiction treatment programs. They believe everyone deserves care that best meets their health needs and preferences.
The Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) emphasizes proactive self-management and preparation for high-risk situations. Free workbook - https://namihawaii.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Wellness-Recovery-Action-Plan.pdf
Wellbriety
Wellbriety - Native Americans
A Native American recovery movement that integrates cultural traditions and spirituality into healing from addiction.
https://www.whitebison.org
Wet Brain
It is a colloquial term that refers to Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome, where acute Wernicke’s encephalopathy (confusion, ataxia, eye problems) progresses to chronic, more permanent Korsakoff’s syndrome (severe memory loss and confabulation) from long-term thiamine deficiency, often linked to alcoholism.
Withdrawal Management (Detox)
Medical or non-medical interventions designed to safely manage the acute physical symptoms of withdrawal from drugs or alcohol.
Whippets (nitrous oxide)
Whippet canisters (nitrous oxide chargers) were created for whipped-cream dispensers in food preparation. They are often abused by inhaling from small gas canisters, usually through balloons, for brief euphoria and dissociation. Repeated use can lead to oxygen deprivation, nerve damage from vitamin B12 depletion, and potential loss of consciousness. *Please note - Unfortunately, Amazon and other online sources deceptively market these with names like Cloud 9ine, Cosmic Gas, Galaxy Gas, Miami Magic, Monster Gas, and other clever names clearly not intended for baking.
Women for Sobriety
Women for Sobriety (WFS): A self-help program for women with substance use disorders that focuses on emotional and spiritual growth. Women for Sobriety (WFS) is the first peer-support program practiced just for women facing substance use disorders. A self-help program for women with substance use disorders focused on emotional growth and empowerment.
https://womenforsobriety.org
(215) 536-8026
Workforce Development for CareerOneStopEmployment
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment & Training Administration, it serves as a centralized hub for career exploration, job search tools, training programs, labor market data, and other resources to help job seekers, students, employers, and workforce professionals.
https://www.careeronestop.org/
Xylazine (Tranq)
A veterinary anesthetic for large animals. He knew that Xylezine was often added to pills and powders to prolong the effects of fentanyl, cause necrotic (dead skin) sores if used intravenously, and possibly cause overdoses, especially since it was a non-opioid and Narcan would be ineffective at reviving someone who stopped breathing.
Various Popular 12 Step Recovery Programs:
Many recovery programs were modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and its 12-Step approach, adapting the framework to different forms of addiction or dysfunction. Here’s a concise overview of the major ones:
Substance and Behavioral Addictions
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) – Founded in 1953 for people recovering from drug addiction.
Cocaine Anonymous (CA) – Focuses on cocaine and other mind-altering substances.
Marijuana Anonymous (MA) – For individuals seeking recovery from marijuana dependency.
Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA) – Created for those recovering from methamphetamine addiction.
Process Addictions (Behavioral)
Gamblers Anonymous (GA) – Began in 1957, helping compulsive gamblers recover through mutual support.
Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) and Sexaholics Anonymous (SA) – Address compulsive sexual behavior, pornography, and related addictions.
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) – Focuses on unhealthy relationships, attachment, and intimacy issues.
Overeaters Anonymous (OA) – Founded in 1960 for those struggling with compulsive eating or food obsession.
Food Addicts Anonymous (FAA) and Food Addicts in RecoveryAnonymous (FA) – Offshoots that emphasize abstinence from addictive food behaviors.
Family and Relationship-Based Groups
Al-Anon Family Groups – For family members and friends of alcoholics.
Nar-Anon – For families and loved ones affected by drug addiction.
Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA) – Focuses on recovery from codependency and unhealthy relationship patterns.
Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) (also known as ACA) – For adults raised in dysfunctional or alcoholic families who still experience the effects of that upbringing.
Other Notable Adaptations
Debtors Anonymous (DA) – For compulsive spending and debt problems.
Workaholics Anonymous (WA) – Addresses compulsive overworking and achievement addiction.
Nicotine Anonymous (NicA) – For recovery from nicotine dependence.
Emotions Anonymous (EA) – Based on the AA model, but centered on managing emotional instability and mental distress.
Opioid Settlement Information - 2025
Referring to The Sackler Family and Purdue Pharma, headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, with facilities in North Carolina, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, which is being dissolved in bankruptcy and restructured as Knoa Pharma, a public benefit company focused on addressing the opioid crisis.
As of 2025, the Purdue Pharma and Sackler family opioid settlement and reorganization plan is valued at $7.4 billion. Under the agreement, the Sacklers will contribute approximately $6.5 billion over the next 15 years, while Purdue Pharma will contribute an additional $900 million in cash and assets. The settlement requires the Sackler family to relinquish ownership and control of Purdue and bars them from selling opioids in the United States. Funds from the plan will be distributed to state and local governments, tribal nations, and individual victims of the opioid epidemic, with roughly $850 million reserved for direct victim compensation after expenses. Purdue’s assets will be placed into a new public benefit corporation, whose mission will be to help abate the opioid crisis through prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives.
The plan follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2024 decision in Harrington v. Purdue Pharma, which struck down a prior $6 billion deal because it would have granted the Sacklers broad legal immunity from future civil lawsuits. The Court ruled that bankruptcy law does not permit claims against non-debtors, such as the Sacklers, to be discharged without the claimants' consent. As a result, the current settlement allows victims who do not opt in to retain the right to pursue their own lawsuits against the Sacklers or Purdue.
Implementation will occur gradually, with significant funds available immediately upon the plan’s approval and “day of emergence.” State and local governments must choose to participate, and many have already done so. For example, Tennessee has signed onto the Purdue/Sackler agreement and other manufacturer settlements, requiring its subdivisions to enroll by specific deadlines. In Pennsylvania, officials estimate that as much as $200 million may be received over 15 years, depending on the number of municipalities that join.
States, counties, and cities are using money from opioid settlements to make it easier for people to get Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and other therapies that have been shown to work. They are also distributing naloxone, supporting harm reduction programs, and building or improving treatment facilities, such as addiction clinics, behavioral health centers, and mobile outreach units.
Many communities are also investing in recovery support services, including sober living homes, housing assistance, peer recovery coaching, and wraparound services such as transportation and case management. The settlement money will also be used for education and prevention, especially in schools and communities, to reduce stigma and catch problems early.
Some areas pool their resources to fund large regional projects or purchase emergency equipment, such as defibrillators and overdose-reversal kits. States and localities are putting equity first by focusing on underserved and rural areas, often with the help of advisory boards or community input, to make sure that funds go to the people who are most affected by the opioid epidemic.
Source - Purdue Pharma L.P. Files New Plan of Reorganization Providing for More Than $7.4 Billion in Creditor Distributions. Purdue Pharma News. March 18, 2025. Accessed September 24, 2025. https://www.purduepharma.com/news/2025/03/18/purdue-pharma-l-p-files-new-plan-of-reorganization-providing-for-more-than-7-4-billion-in-creditor-distributions/purduepharma.com