Addiction Recovery Vocabulary

verb to cause someone to regain consciousness or recover from a difficult situation

adverb in a circular or circuitous direction

• The paramedics were able to bring round the unconscious patient.
• I'll try to bring round some snacks for the party tonight.
• Let's bring round some drinks and have a good time.
• His inspiring speech really helped bring round the team's morale.

verb to cease making an effort; surrender or admit defeat

• It is important to never give up on your dreams and keep working towards your goals.
• Hey, don't give up on that project just yet. I think you can still make it work.
• Dude, don't be a quitter. You can't just give up like that.
• Sometimes it's necessary to give up certain habits in order to move forward in life.

noun a sudden return to a previous state or condition

verb to go back or revert to a previous state or condition

• After making progress in her recovery, she felt herself starting to slip back into old habits.
• I thought I was over my ex, but sometimes I slip back and start missing them.
• I was doing well with my diet, but then I slipped back and ate a whole pizza.
• As he tried to move forward in his career, he couldn't help but feel like he was slipping back into his old job.

verb to become sober; to make someone sober

adjective not drunk; abstaining from alcohol

• It is important to remain sober while operating heavy machinery.
• I decided to stay sober at the party last night.
• I'm trying to stay sober for a while to clear my head.
• After the chaos of the holidays, I am looking forward to a sober January.

verb to make a serious decision to stop doing something

• After experiencing negative side effects, she has sworn off using that medication.
• I've sworn off fast food after feeling sick from it last time.
• I've totally sworn off dating apps, they're just not for me.
• He has sworn off any involvement in politics after his last campaign was a disaster.

noun the quality or state of being difficult to manage or control

• The unmanageability of the project became evident as deadlines were consistently missed.
• The unmanageability of my messy room is getting out of hand.
• I can't deal with the unmanageability of this situation right now.
• The unmanageability of her emotions was like a storm brewing inside her.

noun a strong desire or impulse

verb to strongly encourage or persuade someone to do something

• I urge you to consider all the facts before making a decision.
• I urge you to come to the party with us, it will be fun!
• I urge you to binge-watch that new show, it's so good!
• The urge to travel and explore new places is strong within me.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

adverb a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb, indicating the time, place, manner, or degree of an action

• Once a contract is signed, it is always binding and enforceable.
• Once you start watching that TV series, you always end up binge-watching the whole season.
• Once you try that new ice cream flavor, you'll always crave it.
• Once trust is broken, it is always difficult to repair.

noun a type of drug that includes prescription pain relievers, synthetic opioids, and heroin

• The patient was prescribed an opioid for pain management after the surgery.
• The doctor gave me some opioids for my back pain.
• I heard some people are abusing opioids to get high.
• The opioid crisis has been a major concern for public health officials.

verb to choose not to do or have something, especially something you like or enjoy

• The committee member abstained from voting on the controversial issue.
• She decided to sit this one out and abstained from the vote.
• He didn't want to get involved in the drama, so he abstained.
• Sometimes it's better to abstain from the noise and focus on your own thoughts.

noun the quality or practice of abstaining from something, especially alcohol

• The monk practiced abstinency from worldly pleasures as part of his religious vows.
• She decided to try abstinency from social media for a week to see how it would affect her mood.
• I'm on a strict abstinency diet to get in shape for summer.
• His abstinency from speaking up in meetings was interpreted as lack of interest in the project.