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Appendix A – Glossary
Continuing care – care that supports a client’s progress, monitors his or her condition,
and responds to a return to substance use or a return of mental disorder symptoms. It is both
a process of posttreatment monitoring and a form of treatment itself; sometimes referred to
as aftercare.
Continuum of care – the array of services that differ in terms of unique needs of clients
throughout the course of treatment and recovery.
Contracting – the process by which the client and the counselor enter into an agreement to
address specific problems, issues, or behaviors.
Co-occurring disorder/coexisting disorder – the presence of concurrent psychiatric or
medical disorders in combination with a substance use disorder.
Counseling – a therapeutic process aimed at meeting specific identified needs of the client.
Countertransference – a counselor’s unresolved feelings for significant others that may be
transferred to the client.
Craving – an urgent, seemingly overpowering desire to use a substance, which often is
associated with tension, anxiety, or other dysphoric, depressive, or negative affective states.
Cultural competency – the capacity of a service provider or organization to understand and
work effectively in accord with the beliefs and practices of persons from a given ethnic/racial/
religious/social group or sexual orientation. It includes the holding of knowledge, skills, and
attitudes that allow the treatment provider and program to understand the full context of a
client’s current and past socioenvironmental situation.
Cultural diversity – the vast array of different cultural groups based on varying behaviors,
attitudes, values, languages, celebrations, rituals, and histories.
Culture – the vast structure of behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, habits, beliefs, customs,
language, rituals, ceremonies, histories, and practices distinctive to a particular group of people.
Diagnosis – classification of the nature and severity of the substance use, medical, mental
health, or other problems present. DSM-IV-TR and ICD-10 commonly are used to classify
substance use and mental disorders.
Disorder – an affliction that affects the functions of the mind and/or body, disturbing physical
and/or mental health.
Duty to warn – the legal obligation of a counselor (healthcare provider) to notify the
appropriate authorities as defined by statute and/or the potential victim when there is serious
danger of a client’s inflicting injury on an identified individual.
Efficacy – the power to produce a desired effect.
Elements – specific, definable areas found in three of the practice dimensions (clinical
evaluation, service coordination, and counseling).
Empirical – relying on observation or experience rather than theoretical principles or theory.
Engagement – a client’s commitment to and maintenance of treatment in all of its forms.
A successful engagement program helps clients view the treatment facility as an important
resource.
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