Terminology

Terminology

Addiction

Defined as behavior-based (according to the DSM-5); an inappropriate pattern of substance use that leads to significant impairment. A person with addiction would have difficulty stopping or reducing the usage of the substance they are addicted to.

Buprenorphine

Medication used to treat pain and Opioid Use Disorder; is an MAT medication used to help people reduce or quit their use of heroin or other opiates, such as pain relievers like morphine.

Dopamine

Plays several important roles in the brain and body. One of its roles is the motivational component of a person’s reward-motivated behavior. Many addictive drugs increase dopamine levels but then drop the levels to below normal when the drug wears off.

Medicine-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Combines counseling and/or behavioral therapy and medications to treat substance use disorders in a “whole person” approach.

Methadone

Medication that lessens the painful side effects of opioid by blocking the euphoric effects of opioids; can be addictive as well.

Naloxone/Narcan (NALX)

Medication that can safely be administered via injection or nasal spray that can stop and reverse an overdose of opioids by blocking the effects of the opioid to the body.

Opioids

Both illicit (illegal) and prescription drugs can be opioids. Prescription Opioid drugs are used to treat moderate to severe pain. Examples of opioids include drugs hydrocodone/Vicodin; Oxymorphine/Opana; Methadone; fentanyl; morphine, codeine, oxycodone/OxyContin; heroin.

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)

A combination of two previously known disorders (Opioid Abuse and Opioid Dependence). It is defined as a problematic pattern of opioid use that leads to serious impairment or distress.

Overdose

An opioid overdose occurs when too much of the drug gets to the brain and disrupts the brain’s drive to breathe. Overdose can lead to multiple health issues and/or death.

Prescription

Written order for medication authorized by a medical professional (i.e., doctor, dentist, etc.).Withdrawal
A state of being that occurs when a person with a substance abuse disorder discontinues the substance. Withdrawal has both physical and emotional symptoms.

Suboxone ( Generic name Buprenorphine-naloxone)

Suboxone is a medication often used in medication assisted treatment (MAT). It contains a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone.

Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

A substance use disorder (SUD) is a medical condition where mental, physical, and behavioral symptoms stem from the use of a substance.