Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) - a recovery program based on the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous for adults whose lives are affected from growing up in an alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional family. Participants do not need to have alcoholic parents to attend ACOA meetings.

Addiction - chronic neglect and/or awareness of one's self for the sake of a relationship with a drug of choice which can be a substance (alcohol, drugs, food, etc), or a process (work, relationships, gambling, sex, religion, etc). The function of addiction from an emotional perspective is to act as a buffer between one's self and one's deep feelings.

Addictive Process - a phrase coined by best-selling author Anne Wilson Schaef which refers to an underlying generic, primary disease whose assumptions, beliefs and lack of spiritual awareness are openly supported by the process and society in which we live. Co-dependency is one form of the addictive process.

Alcoholism - a primary, progressive, chronic disease involving recurring trouble and difficulties associated with drinking in one or more of several areas including relationships, education, legal matters, financial well-being, health, spirituality and occupation.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Al-Anon, Alateen, Alatot - an anonymous fellowship which provides gathering places for chemically dependent persons, their spouses and others affected by the disease of alcohol/addiction who recognize a need for support in maintaining individual recovery.

Chemical Dependency - a primary, progressive, and chronic disease characterized by addiction to a mood-altering chemical.

Co-dependency - one form of the addictive process which supports a compulsion toward a drug of choice (alcohol, work, food, relationships, etc), and simultaneously an inability to own or identify a sense of self.

Differentiation - the ability to hold onto one's self and distinguish between clouded emotionality and clear assessment of facts while experiencing external influences such as conflict, criticism or rejection.

Drug of Choice - A substance (alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, nicotine, food, etc), process (gambling, work, religion, sex, relationships, etc) or behavior (golf, television, shopping, internet pornography, etc) toward which an addict has a compulsion.

Dry Drunk - A chemically dependent person who chooses not to use chemicals and at the same time not to engage in any form of active recovery such as twelve step recovery, therapy, etc. Dry drunk behavior is often characterized by a grandiose, judgmental, impatient and intolerant attitude. An individual often behaves as they have while drinking alcohol but without using the chemical.

Emotional Availability - the ability to hear, and simply be present to another's feelings without criticizing, judging, condemning, denying, diminishing, controlling, changing, fixing or rescuing the other.

Emotional Intimacy - the experience of emotional availability and vulnerability between two people.

Enabling - Behavior which tolerates and protects irresponsible and destructive activity by taking responsibility for others, denying them the ability to face the natural consequences of their own actions. It often includes helping, fixing, placating, ignoring, minimizing and/or dismissing.

Family Disease - a static behavioral system within which individuals are unable to create "separateness" from addiction, and thereby live out the addictive process. The entire family evolves around the addict, whose life evolves around the drug of choice.

Holistic Psychotherapy - the integration of scientifically proven mind-body approaches with traditional therapeutic practices to assist individuals in healing emotional wounds and/or completing unmet childhood needs.

Homeopathy - a form of medicine founded by Samuel Hahnemann in the late 1700's that uses dilutions of plant, mineral and animal substances to stimulate the body's natural defensive systems. Based on the concept of "like cures like" this system of treatment chooses a remedy according to individual's specific symptoms and emotions.

Imago Relationship Therapy - a theory and therapy of committed partnership founded by best-selling authors and husband and wife team, Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt. Imago Relationship Therapy is based on the premise that the unconscious mind has a hidden agenda when choosing a marriage partner through romantic attraction, which is to heal childhood wounds.

Mind-Body Connection - the relationship between thoughts, feelings and chemicals in the body involving the ability of the mind to both create the conditions for disease and help heal disease. The mind-body connection acknowledges the influence of the mind on the body, and the body on the mind.

Naturopathic Medicine or Naturopathy - a holistic primary healthcare system that treats health conditions utilizing the body's inherent ability to heal. Naturopathic physicians aid the healing process through a variety of natural methods (nurtrition, herbs, homeopathy, etc) based on patient's individual needs.

Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) - a model of communication founded by Richard Bandler and John Grinder in the 1970s that is based on the premise that individual thoughts, gestures and words create one's perception of the world. By changing one's outlook a person can improve his attitudes, actions and experiences and develop successful habits by amplifying helpful behaviors and diminishing negative ones. NLP acknowledges the power of the mind over the body and the body over the mind.

Positive Psychology - Founded by Dr. Martin Seligman, a scientific study of strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive. Positive Psychology is based on the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves, and to enhance their experiences of love, work, and play.