What Does the Halt acronym stand for? HALT is an acronym tool used by individuals to monitor their wellbeing. People struggling with addiction or trying to maintain sobriety are taught to remember HALT. This exercise works to reject triggers by forcing the individual to reflect on their emotional state. By applying the rules of HALT, a person prioritizes self-care which helps them make healthy decisions. This sobriety technique is practiced in 12-step organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.