The Van Ost Institute is providing these definitions and explanations in order to help you understand some of the common terms used in recovery.

The Useful Definitions section give you some typical terms used at the Van Ost Institute as well as at other places of recovery.

The Alcoholism section gives you three things; first it details the definition of a disease, second it give you the definition of alcoholism itself, and lastly it provides twelve myths about alcoholism.

The Other Drugs section is from the book, Warning Signs (Warner Publications), by William C. Van Ost, M.D. F.A.A.P., & Elaine Van Ost. The reason for this list is: if you can spot the signs, you may be able to avoid the tragedies of substance abuse. It provides the name of the drug (or slang terms), what to look for, and what dependency to these drugs can cause.