GlossaryGlossary: Terms in Mental Health and Recovery Care. Plain definitions of the words families hear when looking for help.

Level of care

How much support and structure a person gets, and how many hours a week. A good plan matches the level of care to what the person needs right now, and it changes as they improve.

Detox

Short-term medical care that helps a person stop alcohol or drugs safely while their body adjusts. Some detox happens in a hospital or facility, and some is medically supervised at home. Stopping alcohol or benzodiazepines suddenly can be medically dangerous, so talk to a doctor first. Learn more about Detox

Residential treatment

Care where a person lives at a treatment program for a period of time, often several weeks. It offers structure and support around the clock.

Partial hospitalization program (PHP)

A day program with treatment for several hours a day, most days of the week. The person goes home or to another safe place at night.

Intensive outpatient program (IOP)

A program with treatment a few hours a day, a few days a week. It lets a person keep up with work, school or family life while getting steady care.

Outpatient care

Regular appointments, such as weekly therapy or psychiatric visits, while a person lives their normal life. It is the most common level of care.

Aftercare

The plan and support that follow a more intensive stretch of treatment. It often includes therapy, meetings, check-ins and a clear plan for the first weeks at home. Learn more about Aftercare

Continuing care

Ongoing support over months or years after the first phase of treatment ends. The idea is that recovery is a long process, so support should not stop suddenly.

Psychiatrist

A medical doctor who specializes in mental health. A psychiatrist can diagnose conditions and prescribe and manage medication.

Psychologist

A mental health professional with a doctoral degree who provides therapy and testing. In most states, including California, psychologists do not prescribe medication.

LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. A licensed therapist trained to work with individuals, couples and families, with a focus on relationships.

LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker. A licensed therapist who also knows how to connect people with practical resources and services.

Psychiatric evaluation

A detailed first meeting with a psychiatrist or other prescriber. It covers symptoms, history and goals, and it usually leads to a diagnosis and a treatment plan. Learn more about Psychiatric evaluation

Medication management

Regular follow-up visits to check how a medication is working, watch for side effects and adjust the plan as needed.

Psychoeducation

Teaching a person and their family how a condition works, what treatment involves and what to expect. Knowing the basics makes it easier to take part in care.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

A type of therapy that looks at how thoughts, feelings and actions affect each other. People learn practical skills to change unhelpful patterns.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

A type of therapy built around skills for handling strong emotions, getting through a crisis and improving relationships. It balances acceptance with change.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

A type of therapy that helps people make room for hard thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them. The focus is on acting in line with what matters to you.

EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. A structured therapy, often used for trauma, that helps the brain process painful memories so they feel less overwhelming.

Neuropsychological evaluation

A set of tests that looks at memory, attention, learning, problem solving and other thinking skills. The results can explain why someone is struggling and guide school, work or treatment plans. Learn more about Neuropsychological evaluation

Pharmacogenomic testing

A test, often a cheek swab, that looks at genes linked to how the body processes certain medications. It can give a prescriber extra information, but it does not choose a medication on its own.

Co-occurring disorders

When a person has a mental health condition and a substance use problem at the same time. This is also called a dual diagnosis. Care works best when both are treated together. Learn more about Co-occurring disorders

Case management

A professional who helps a person and family coordinate care. That can mean finding providers, setting up appointments, keeping everyone informed and helping with practical problems. Learn more about Case management

Intervention

A planned, caring conversation where family members ask a loved one to accept help. A good intervention is prepared in advance and has a treatment plan ready. Learn more about Intervention

Interventionist

A professional who helps a family plan and lead an intervention. They prepare everyone, guide the conversation and help with next steps afterward.

Relapse

A return to alcohol or drug use after a period of recovery. It is common and does not mean treatment failed, but it is a signal to look at the plan again. Learn more about Relapse

Relapse prevention plan

A written plan that lists a person’s warning signs, triggers, coping steps and people to call. It is most useful when made ahead of time and shared with supporters.

Recovery capital

The resources a person can draw on to stay well. That includes health, relationships, a safe place to live, work or school, and a sense of purpose.

Mutual support meetings

Free peer meetings where people in recovery support each other. Examples include Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and SMART Recovery.

Sponsor

An experienced member of a 12-step program who guides a newer member. A sponsor is a volunteer peer, not a counselor or clinician.

Medication for addiction treatment (MAT)

The use of approved medications, along with counseling and support, to treat opioid or alcohol use disorders. Examples include buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone. A doctor decides if MAT is a good fit.

12-panel test

A urine test that screens for 12 drugs or types of drugs at once, such as opioids, cocaine, amphetamines and benzodiazepines. Instant cups give results in minutes. Learn more about 12-panel test

EtG test

A test for ethyl glucuronide, a substance the body makes after drinking alcohol. It can show alcohol use from the past few days, even after the effects have worn off.

Breathalyzer and BAC

A breathalyzer measures alcohol in the breath to estimate blood alcohol content (BAC). It shows recent drinking, usually from the last several hours.

Saliva test

A mouth swab that screens for recent drug use. It is easy to collect and hard to tamper with, but it covers a shorter window than urine.

Lab confirmation

Sending a sample to a lab for a more exact test after an instant screen. It can confirm a positive result or rule out a false positive.

False positive

A screening result that shows a substance when the person did not use it. Some medications and foods can cause this, which is why lab confirmation matters.

Random testing

Testing on days the person does not know ahead of time. It gives a more honest picture than tests on a set schedule. Learn more about Random testing

Chain of custody

A written record of who handled a sample, and when, from collection to result. It protects the sample from mix-ups and tampering.

Enabling

Actions that, without meaning to, make it easier for someone to keep using or avoid consequences. Examples include covering for missed work or paying off debts. Most enabling comes from love and fear.

Boundaries

Clear limits a person sets about what they will and will not do. A boundary is about your own actions, such as I will not give money, rather than an attempt to control someone else.

Codependency

A pattern where a person’s mood and choices center on another person’s problems, often at the cost of their own health. Support and therapy can help.

Family coaching

Practical guidance for parents and family members on how to respond, communicate and set limits while a loved one struggles. Learn more about Family coaching

Family therapy

Therapy with the family together, led by a licensed clinician. It helps improve communication, repair trust and support everyone’s role in recovery.

CRAFT

Community Reinforcement and Family Training. A research-based approach that teaches families skills to encourage a loved one toward treatment while taking care of themselves. Learn more about CRAFT

Al-Anon

Free peer meetings for people affected by someone else’s drinking. Alateen is a version for younger family members.

Nar-Anon

Free peer meetings for family and friends of someone with a drug problem.

Mentoring

Regular one-on-one meetings with an experienced guide who helps a person set goals, build habits and follow through. A mentor is not a therapist and does not diagnose or treat. Learn more about Mentoring

Accountability

Having someone you check in with about the goals and commitments you made. Regular check-ins make it easier to keep going and to notice when things slip.

Executive function

The set of thinking skills that help us plan, organize, manage time, start tasks and control impulses. Many teens and young adults are still building these skills.

Transition age youth

Young people roughly 16 to 25 who are moving from adolescence into adult life. It is a time of big changes in school, work, independence and support. Learn more about Transition age youth

Mental health parity

Laws that require most health plans to cover mental health and substance use care on terms similar to medical and surgical care. Learn more about Mental health parity

Prior authorization

Approval from an insurance plan before certain care begins. Without it, the plan may refuse to pay, so ask early.

In network

Providers who have a contract with your insurance plan. In network care usually costs you less.

Out of network

Providers who do not have a contract with your plan. Some plans pay part of the cost, often after you pay first and send in a claim.

Superbill

A detailed receipt from a provider that you can send to your insurance plan to ask for out of network reimbursement.

Employee assistance program (EAP)

A free, confidential benefit from many employers. It often includes a few counseling sessions and help finding longer-term care.

Medi-Cal

California’s Medicaid program, which provides free or low-cost health coverage, including mental health and substance use care, for people who qualify.

Sliding scale

A fee that changes based on a person’s income. Some providers and clinics offer it to make care more affordable.

Treatment scholarship

Money from a charity or foundation that helps pay for treatment. The Blackburn Foundation, a 501(c)(3), offers treatment scholarships for up to 12 months. Learn more about Treatment scholarship

Our Where to start page can help you find the right first step. You can also call us at (888) 305-5422 or email info@theblackburngroup.org with any question, even if you are not sure what to ask.

If you or someone you love is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. In an emergency, call 911.