If you’re on your recovery journey, you might hear terms that feel overwhelming or confusing. Words like “trauma,” “codependency,” or “anxious attachment” are often used in therapy or recovery spaces, but you’re not alone if you don’t know exactly what they mean. These labels are tools—not judgments—and understanding them can help you on your path to healing.
Let’s break down some of the common terms you might encounter in recovery and what they really mean.
Common Recovery Terms
Addiction Labels
Terms like “addict” or “alcoholic” can feel stigmatizing. Many professionals now encourage person-first language, such as “a person in recovery” or “someone with a substance use disorder,” to focus on the individual rather than the addiction. Some people (especially those in 12-Step programs) may choose to identify with these terms. This is entirely fine, but we should allow the person to decide what language they want to use and always strive to be respectful.
Anxious Attachment
Anxious attachment describes a style of relating to others where fear of abandonment and a strong need for reassurance play central roles. Understanding attachment styles can help you create healthier, more secure relationships.
Boundaries
Boundaries are the limits we set in relationships to protect our physical, emotional, and mental well-being. In recovery, learning to set and maintain boundaries is crucial for building healthier connections.
Cognitive Distortions
Cognitive distortions are patterns of negative thinking that distort reality, like “all-or-nothing thinking” or “catastrophizing.” Therapy often helps identify and reframe these thoughts to encourage healthier perspectives.
Codependency
Codependency refers to an unhealthy reliance on another person for emotional or physical needs, often at the expense of one’s own well-being. Recovery includes learning to balance care for others with self-care.
Co-Occurring Disorders
This term refers to having both a substance use disorder and a mental health condition simultaneously. Effective treatment often requires addressing both conditions together.
Emotional Regulation
Emotional regulation is the ability to manage and respond to your emotions in a healthy way. It’s a vital skill in recovery, especially for managing stress and triggers without turning to substances.
Enmeshment
Enmeshment occurs when personal boundaries are blurred in relationships, often leading to excessive emotional involvement or dependence. Understanding this concept can help in establishing independence and balance.
Gaslighting
Gaslighting is a form of emotional manipulation where someone makes you question your own perceptions or reality. Recognizing gaslighting is important for building self-trust and healthier relationships.
Inner Child
The “inner child” represents the part of you that holds onto emotions, needs, and experiences from childhood. Recovery often involves nurturing your inner child to address unmet needs and heal emotional wounds.
Labeling and Stigmatization
Labels can help identify patterns but may also feel limiting or stigmatizing. Overcoming labels involves recognizing them as tools for growth, not definitions of who you are.
Self-Compassion
Self-compassion is about treating yourself with kindness and understanding, especially during moments of struggle or failure. It’s a cornerstone of resilience in recovery.
Shame vs. Guilt
Shame and guilt are often confused, but they’re different. Guilt is about what you did (“I made a mistake”), while shame is about who you are (“I am a mistake”). Recovery focuses on reducing shame to foster self-worth.
Therapy Speak
Therapy introduces terms like “boundaries,” “dysregulation,” and “trauma bonding.” While these can seem complicated at first, they’re tools to help you better understand yourself and your relationships.
Trauma
Trauma refers to emotional or psychological harm caused by distressing events. In recovery, understanding and addressing trauma is essential for long-term healing.
Trauma Bonding
Trauma bonding describes the attachment that forms in unhealthy or abusive relationships. Recognizing these bonds can help individuals break free and form healthier connections.
Trigger
A trigger is anything—like a situation, memory, or even a smell—that brings up intense emotional reactions or cravings. Identifying and managing triggers is key to recovery.
Overcoming Labels
The key to overcoming labels is to use them as stepping stones, not walls. Words like “trauma” or “codependency” can point you in the direction of healing, but they don’t capture the full story of who you are.
Recovery is about redefining yourself—not by the challenges you’ve faced but by the strength, growth, and resilience you’ve built along the way. RCA is ready to help through evidence-based care delivered in patient-centered settings. Call 833.926.5486 to learn more.