CATC key terms

A reduced response to a substance after repeated use, so the person needs larger amounts or more frequent use to feel the same effect. It is a physiological sign of adaptation, not a moral failing.

A cluster of physical and psychological symptoms that appears when a substance is reduced or stopped after heavy or prolonged use. Symptoms vary by substance and can range from uncomfortable to medically dangerous.

A pattern of physiological and psychological adaptation to a substance, marked by tolerance, withdrawal, and compulsive use despite harm. Dependence can be physical, psychological, or both, and it is distinct from abuse.

An intense, often sudden urge to use a substance. Cravings can be triggered by people, places, emotions, or sensory cues and are a common driver of relapse in early recovery.

A return to substance use after a period of abstinence or reduced use. In treatment it is treated as a process with warning signs rather than a single event or moral failure.

A person, place, situation, emotion, or sensory cue that activates craving or increases the likelihood of substance use. Identifying triggers is a core skill in relapse prevention planning.

A structured set of strategies that help a person recognize early warning signs, manage high-risk situations, and use coping skills to avoid returning to substance use. It is often taught in group and individual sessions.

The medically supervised process of clearing a substance from the body and managing withdrawal safely. Detox alone is not treatment; it is a first step that should be followed by ongoing therapy and support.

The use of FDA-approved medications, combined with counseling and behavioral therapies, to treat substance use disorders. Examples include methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone for opioid use disorder.

A problematic pattern of opioid use causing significant impairment or distress, with features such as craving, tolerance, withdrawal, and continued use despite harm. It is a chronic, treatable condition.

The presence of a substance use disorder together with at least one mental health disorder in the same person. Effective treatment addresses both conditions at the same time rather than sequentially.

A brief, structured process used to identify people who may have a substance use or mental health problem and need further evaluation. Screening does not diagnose; it flags the need for a full assessment.

A comprehensive, ongoing process of gathering information about a person's substance use, health, history, and needs to guide treatment planning. It is broader and more detailed than screening.

A written, individualized document that states a person's goals, objectives, and the specific services and interventions to be provided. It is developed with the client and updated as needs change.

A collaborative, person-centered counseling style that helps clients resolve ambivalence about change by exploring and strengthening their own reasons for change. It avoids confrontation and respects client autonomy.

A model describing readiness to change in stages: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and sometimes relapse. Interventions are matched to the person's current stage.

The stage of change in which a person is aware of a problem and is thinking about change but has not yet committed to action. Ambivalence is a hallmark of this stage.

A structured therapy that helps clients identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors linked to substance use. It teaches practical coping skills and is widely used in addiction treatment.

A behavioral approach that provides concrete, verifiable rewards for desired behaviors such as negative drug tests or attendance. It is evidence-based, especially for stimulant use disorders.

A peer-led mutual-help approach, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, based on a set of spiritual and behavioral principles for recovery. It is often used alongside professional treatment, not as a replacement for it.

A voluntary, peer-run support group in which people with shared experiences help one another. Examples include twelve-step groups and SMART Recovery, and participation is generally free.

A service that coordinates care, links clients to needed resources, and monitors progress across systems such as health, housing, and legal services. It supports continuity and reduces barriers to treatment.

A public health approach that aims to reduce the negative consequences of substance use without requiring abstinence. Examples include naloxone distribution, sterile syringes, and safer-use education.

A medication that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose by blocking opioid receptors. It is safe, non-addictive, and can be administered by laypeople, making it a key harm reduction tool.

The ethical and legal duty of treatment providers to protect client information from unauthorized disclosure. It is a foundation of the therapeutic relationship and is limited by specific legal exceptions.

The process of giving a client clear, accurate information about treatment, risks, benefits, and alternatives so they can voluntarily agree to participate. It must be documented and can be withdrawn.

A legal requirement that certain professionals report suspected child abuse, neglect, or other specified harms to authorities. Counselors must know their state's rules and explain limits of confidentiality to clients.

A legal and ethical obligation, in some jurisdictions, to take steps to protect an identifiable person when a client poses a serious threat of violence. The specific actions required vary by state law.

The range of services and activities a professional is legally and ethically permitted to perform based on their training, credentials, and licensure. Working outside it can harm clients and lead to discipline.

The ethical limit of a counselor's knowledge and skills. Counselors should practice only within areas they are trained in and seek supervision or referral when a client's needs exceed their competence.

When a counselor has another significant role with a client, such as business partner, friend, or family member. Such relationships risk exploitation and are generally avoided or carefully managed.

A structured relationship in which a more experienced clinician oversees and guides a counselor's work to ensure quality and ethical practice. It supports skill development and protects clients.

A legal protection that prevents certain confidential communications, such as those between client and counselor, from being disclosed in court without the client's consent. Its scope varies by jurisdiction.

A deliberate process for resolving ethical dilemmas by identifying the problem, consulting codes and laws, considering options, and choosing and reviewing an action. It is often documented and discussed with supervisors.

Written or electronic documentation of a client's assessment, treatment, and progress. Records must be accurate, kept secure, and released only with proper authorization or legal requirement.