From AA to SUD:
Addiction Treatment Acronyms Explained
When exploring addiction treatment for you or someone else, you may find yourself confronted by a wall of acronyms. Just what is CBT? And what is MDFT?
Decoding these terms could be essential for seeking out the right types of treatment. While addiction counsellors can guide you through these terms, already knowing what they mean can give you a headstart. Below are 12 of the most common acronyms used in addiction treatment and what they mean.
AA
Alcoholics Anonymous
AA is the most recognised support group for people trying to give up alcohol and stay sober. It’s a worldwide organization with local groups held in most towns and cities. Meetings are free and confidential – often held on a weekly basis. While not technically a form of professional therapy, many experts do still recommend groups like the AA as a supplementary form of recovery. They’re excellent places for meeting fellow recovering addicts who understand what you are going through, and their 12 step program can provide structure.
AUD
Alcohol Use Disorder
AUD is the preferred clinical alternative to old terms ‘alcoholism’ and ‘alcohol abuse’. It covers a scale of problem drinking from mild to severe. A person is generally classed as having AUD if they are unable to stop or control alcohol consumption despite significant negative consequences. More specific criteria is outlined in a health manual called the DSM-5, which helps diagnose the severity of the condition.
CBT
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT is a form of talk therapy used within addiction treatment. It is used to help people notice unhelpful thinking patterns (‘I can’t cope without using’) and replace them with more realistic, supportive thoughts. It also teaches coping skills like managing cravings and avoiding triggers. Many studies have found it to be very effective at reducing relapse, while also helping to treat co-curring mental health problems.
DBT
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
DBT was originally developed for people struggling with intense emotions or self-harm, but is now widely used in addiction treatment. It aims to teach acceptance and change – in the face of addiction, this means getting individuals to accept that there is a problem and then giving them the motivation to fight inner urges. DBT may be used alongside other therapies like CBT.
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
EMDR is a therapy used mainly to treat trauma and PTSD, but it may be used in certain forms of addiction treatment where substances are a coping mechanism for dealing with trauma. During this treatment, individuals recall distressing memories while focusing on repeating eye movements. The process sounds odd, but can often be effective at helping the brain reprocess traumatic memories so that they feel less overwhelming.
IOP
Intensive Outpatient Program
IOP is a form of addiction treatment in which individuals live at home but attend therapy sessions for several hours per day at a clinic. It’s ideal for people who have been looking into addiction rehab, but do not want to be living in a clinic, instead providing a middle ground solution – individuals still benefit from in-person sessions while being able return to family or home commitments at the end of the day. Inpatient care (living at the rehabilitation center) may still be recommended to some people, but the majority of individuals are eligible for IOP.
MAT
Medication-Assisted Treatment
MAT combines prescribed medications with counseling and behavioral therapy. It is most commonly used to treat opioid and alcohol addiction, helping individuals to cope better with withdrawal symptoms. Common medications used in MAT include methadone, naltrexone and buprenorphine. Contrary to what some people think, MAT doesn’t replace one addiction with another – it uses controlled doses that patients are gradually weaned off from, reducing cravings and other potentially dangerous symptoms.
MDFT
Multidimensional Family Therapy
MDFT is a therapy approach that factors in relationships with parents or other relatives. It is most commonly used when helping teenagers to overcome addiction and explores ways of improving relationships with family members, while also sometimes teaching parents how to set boundaries and promote healthier choices. Specialist therapists with experience dealing with adolescents and family members are required to carry out this treatment.
OP
Outpatient Program
An OP is one of the most flexible forms of addiction treatment. As with IOP, the patient gets to stay at home, but they do not have to attend therapy sessions in the day at fixed times. Instead, they get to fit therapy sessions around their schedule, making it possible to continue going to work or school as usual. This type of addiction treatment can be less disruptive for many people and is recommended for people with milder substance use issues, but may not be suitable for more serious cases.
PAWS
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome
PAWS is a term used to describe ongoing withdrawal symptoms that may linger weeks or months after someone quits using alcohol or drugs. Such symptoms can include mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, low energy or poor concentration. Many recovery programs now try to advise on ways to overcome PAWS – while the serious withdrawal symptoms may be over, there is still a high risk of withdrawal during this period.
PHP
Partial hospitalization program
A PHP is a program designed for those with more serious addictions. In this program, individuals stay within a clinic for most of the day to attend sessions and receive monitoring, but still go home at night to sleep. As a result, individuals are not required to be under 24/7 supervision, but still spend most of their waking hours in therapy. In terms of intensiveness, it is one step below a full inpatient program, while being one step above an IOP (intensive outpatient program).
SUD
Substance Use Disorder
SUD is the medical term for problematic use of alcohol or drugs. It is more commonly used in place of addiction within treatment centers where it can carry less of a stigma. SUD is diagnosed based on symptoms such as cravings, loss of control and continued use despite obvious harm. AUD can be seen as a form of SUD.
