chemical dependency
Hooked on substances
Chemical dependency is addiction to a substance—alcohol, prescription drugs, or illicit drugs—characterized by physical and psychological need.
The term emphasizes the medical nature of addiction rather than moral failure.
It often appears in clinical and treatment contexts: She entered a chemical dependency program, The hospital has a chemical dependency unit.
Powerful urge to have
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
- substancePhysical material with mass
- compulsionIrresistible urge to act
habituation · opioids · narcotics · stimulants · cocaine · heroin · methamphetamine · benzodiazepines
Curative mental treatment
- counselingProfessional guidance for problems
- interventionPurposeful involvement to change course
- inpatientAdmitted overnight patient
- outpatientTreated without admission
methadone · suboxone · naltrexone · psychotherapy · cognitive-behavioral · group therapy · dual diagnosis · residential
Unimpaired mental state
- abstinenceVoluntary forgoing of indulgences
- rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
- detoxificationRemoving harmful substances internally
- healingRestoration of health
wellness · support groups · 12-step · AA · sponsorship · clean time · chip · serenity
Causes or activates
- setbackReverse in progress
- recurrenceReturn of something previous
- lapseBrief failure or expiration
- slipMinor error or misstep
cravings · warning signs · accountability · recommitment · backslide · stressors · environmental cues · urges
craving
Powerful urge to have
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
- substancePhysical material with mass
compulsion · habituation · opioids · narcotics · stimulants · cocaine · heroin · methamphetamine · benzodiazepines · alcohol
therapy
Curative mental treatment
- counselingProfessional guidance for problems
- interventionPurposeful involvement to change course
- inpatientAdmitted overnight patient
outpatient · methadone · suboxone · naltrexone · psychotherapy · cognitive-behavioral · group therapy · dual diagnosis · residential · detox
sobriety
Unimpaired mental state
- abstinenceVoluntary forgoing of indulgences
- rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
- detoxificationRemoving harmful substances internally
healing · wellness · support groups · 12-step · AA · sponsorship · clean time · chip · serenity · amends
triggers
Causes or activates
- setbackReverse in progress
- recurrenceReturn of something previous
- lapseBrief failure or expiration
slip · cravings · warning signs · accountability · recommitment · backslide · stressors · environmental cues · urges
- dependencedepend, depend on, rely, need, rely on
- substance usedrug use, alcohol use, substance abuse, drug abuse, recreational use
- opioid addictionheroin, opium, morphine, fentanyl, codeine
chemical dependencysobriety
Unimpaired mental state
abstinence · clean living · drug-free · teetotalism · temperance
chemical dependencyfreedom
Absence of constraint
self-mastery · self-control · independence · autonomy · free will
independent, chemistry, independence, dependent, dependable, chemical, dependence, dependency, alchemy