Learning the Lingo
In a recovery ecosystem, you may frequently hear some unusual jargon, lingo, and acronyms that could make these conversations less accessible. And some terms and misuses are associated with stigma. In any case, understanding the lingo can help us “speak the same language” and promote empathy within our community. Below are definitions of acronyms that may be helpful when discerning meaning in conversations and printed information.
SUD - Substance Use Disorder
OUD - Opioid Use Disorder
OBOT - Office-Based Opioid Treatment; Opioid treatment that is offered in an outpatient setting.
OBAT - Office-Based Addiction Treatment; A broader term that encompasses treatment options for various SUDs, not just opioids.
FQHC - Federally Qualified Health Care; A healthcare provider that receives federal funding to provide care for underserved communities.
TIC - Trauma Informed Care; Understanding the impacts and links between trauma and SUDs, and using this information to provide more effective and supportive care for the individual.
CIT - Crisis Intervention Team; They serve as a bridge between treatment options, law enforcement, and community resources.
CHR - Comprehensive Harm Reduction; A collection of evidence based programs, strategies, and policies that reduce the negative outcomes of various behaviors without requiring abstinence. *The New River Valley is registered as a CHR site.
PREP - Pre-exposure Prophylaxis; A daily medication that effectively lowers the risk of contracting HIV.
HepC - Hepatitis C; A viral infection spread through contact with infected blood. HepC affects the liver that can range from a mild illness to a serious, lifelong infection. Treatment for HepC is available.
Additionally, some terms are changing as we learn and understand:
MOUD, MAT, MAR - An Evolving Language
You may have heard “MAT” (medication-assisted treatment) also referred to as “MOUD” (medications for opioid use disorder). These terms have been used interchangeably in the past, but it’s important to understand that they represent different treatment models.
MAT refers to the use of medication, in combination with behavioral therapy, with a focus on the pharmacological aspect. The approved medications for opioid treatment are: buprenorphine (sometimes referred to as “bupe”), methadone, or naltrexone. It originally was thought to be a short term treatment option. This view creates some stigma regarding longer term treatment around this language. Additionally, there has been confusion around the “vagueness” of this term, because it may imply more kinds of substance use disorders being treated. Currently, opioids are the only substance that have approved medications for treatment. As the use of medicine to treat opioids becomes more broadly understood and accepted, the terminology is evolving to better define and support that.
MOUD is a more accurate term for medicine to treat OUD. Consider this treatment model: We don't refer to insulin as "assisted medication"; we recognize it for what it is: medicine. Likewise, MOUD is a clear term for treatment, hopefully destigmatizing it and embracing this like we do for various chronic health issues.
Most importantly, MOUD recognizes that opioid use disorders are complex medical conditions that require individualized, complex treatment options. These supportive interventions can be sustained, modified as needed, and managed long-term.
A “newer” term showing the evolution of understanding and treatment support is “MAR” - medication assisted recovery. It refers to the same kinds of treatment options, but the change in language emphasizes the process of recovery and healing, rather than the treatment itself.
Should one acronym be used over the other?
It depends on the context and audience. Personal and community preferences should be a strong consideration. An individual in recovery may identify with one over the other - each acronym represents a different perspective. In any case, when having conversations around this topic, it’s critical to use sensitive, person-first language.
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