| HARM REDUCTION/MODERATION RECOVERY PROGRAMS & RESOURCES |
What is Harm Reduction?
"The term Harm Reduction Therapy (HRT) has been coined to refer to the several treatment models that are
currently being developed and tested in the United States and around the world. These harm reduction treatment
models can be used in outpatient settings, residential treatment, homeless programs, traditional drug treatment
programs, medical services, community outreach programs among other service delivery settings.
Harm Reduction Therapy (HRT) is based on the belief that alcohol and drug problems including substance abuse
and dependence develop in individuals through a unique interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.
HRT is a non-judgmental approach to helping people experiencing alcohol and drug problems to reduce the
negative impact of substance use, abuse or dependence in their lives. Harm Reduction Therapy understands that
people use alcohol and drugs for a variety of reasons. It addresses the complex relationship that people develop
with these psychoactive substances over the course of their lives. In HRT, concerns related to drug and alcohol use
are addressed simultaneously with their social and occupational impacts as well as their psychological and
emotional implications in an integrated treatment approach to these "co-occurring disorders."
Anyone is welcome to enter Harm Reduction Therapy, regardless of the status of their alcohol or drug use and
regardless or their primary concerns or treatment goals. Regarding substance use, the goals of a person seeking
HRT can range from complete abstinence to controlled or safer use. Paradoxically, Harm Reduction Therapy
recognizes that a person's substance use and chosen treatment goals are both based on a complex unfolding of the
person's desire to improve their health, relationships and overall functioning in the world.
Harm Reduction Therapy offers an alternative model of substance abuse treatment based on the principles of
collaboration, respect, and self-determination that often runs counter to the addiction treatment industry in the
United States with its over-reliance on the disease model of chemical dependency.
Typically, "Minnesota Model" or "12-Step" treatment platforms systematically exclude harm reduction methods as a
part of the therapy process leaving many who seek help, but do meet treatment entry requirements such as an
abstinence goal, with no access to treatment at all. Nonetheless, many professionals in substance abused
treatment, in medicine and in allied fields have been working to incorporate harm reduction principles into their
working therapy model or have explicitly made the heart of harm reduction front and center in their work with clients
and patients presenting with alcohol and drug issues.
Both research on harm reduction and clinical applications of Harm Reduction Therapy have been growing
internationally at a rapid rate. Today, several books, training centers and conferences are available to guide
practitioners in the skillful application of this pragmatic and compassionate approach to reducing alcohol and
drug-related harm to the individual user and those in his or her family and community."
"The term Harm Reduction Therapy (HRT) has been coined to refer to the several treatment models that are
currently being developed and tested in the United States and around the world. These harm reduction treatment
models can be used in outpatient settings, residential treatment, homeless programs, traditional drug treatment
programs, medical services, community outreach programs among other service delivery settings.
Harm Reduction Therapy (HRT) is based on the belief that alcohol and drug problems including substance abuse
and dependence develop in individuals through a unique interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.
HRT is a non-judgmental approach to helping people experiencing alcohol and drug problems to reduce the
negative impact of substance use, abuse or dependence in their lives. Harm Reduction Therapy understands that
people use alcohol and drugs for a variety of reasons. It addresses the complex relationship that people develop
with these psychoactive substances over the course of their lives. In HRT, concerns related to drug and alcohol use
are addressed simultaneously with their social and occupational impacts as well as their psychological and
emotional implications in an integrated treatment approach to these "co-occurring disorders."
Anyone is welcome to enter Harm Reduction Therapy, regardless of the status of their alcohol or drug use and
regardless or their primary concerns or treatment goals. Regarding substance use, the goals of a person seeking
HRT can range from complete abstinence to controlled or safer use. Paradoxically, Harm Reduction Therapy
recognizes that a person's substance use and chosen treatment goals are both based on a complex unfolding of the
person's desire to improve their health, relationships and overall functioning in the world.
Harm Reduction Therapy offers an alternative model of substance abuse treatment based on the principles of
collaboration, respect, and self-determination that often runs counter to the addiction treatment industry in the
United States with its over-reliance on the disease model of chemical dependency.
Typically, "Minnesota Model" or "12-Step" treatment platforms systematically exclude harm reduction methods as a
part of the therapy process leaving many who seek help, but do meet treatment entry requirements such as an
abstinence goal, with no access to treatment at all. Nonetheless, many professionals in substance abused
treatment, in medicine and in allied fields have been working to incorporate harm reduction principles into their
working therapy model or have explicitly made the heart of harm reduction front and center in their work with clients
and patients presenting with alcohol and drug issues.
Both research on harm reduction and clinical applications of Harm Reduction Therapy have been growing
internationally at a rapid rate. Today, several books, training centers and conferences are available to guide
practitioners in the skillful application of this pragmatic and compassionate approach to reducing alcohol and
drug-related harm to the individual user and those in his or her family and community."
Alcohol Management
Alcohol Management is a brief, confidential educational program that helps you eliminate drinking problems by
reducing your drinking or stopping altogether. You decide which is better for you: moderation or abstinence.
Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition
The Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition, Inc., is a Prevention and Wellness organization. Our mission is to empower
adults currently engaged in high-risk lifestyles. This includes those who are active or chronic relapse substance
users, alcoholics, sex workers and /or homeless. We provide them with choices to make safer life decisions.
Australian Centre for Addiction Research (ACAR)
Control Your Drinking Online: A Web-Based Self-Change Program.
Drink Too Much?
Here are practical suggestions for either cutting down or abstaining from alcohol along with tips for helping loved
ones who have a drinking problem.
Canadian Harm Reduction Network
The Canadian Harm Reduction Network is the virtual meeting place for individuals and organizations dedicated to
reducing the social, health and economic harms associated with drugs and drug policies.
Harm Reduction Coalition (HRC)
The Harm Reduction Coalition is a national advocacy and capacity-building organization that promotes the health
and dignity of individuals and communities impacted by drug use. HRC advances policies and programs that help
people address the adverse effects of drug use including overdose, HIV, hepatitis C, addiction, and incarceration.
Harm Reduction Journal (HRJ)
Harm Reduction Journal is an Open Access, peer-reviewed, online journal whose focus is on the prevalent patterns
of psychoactive drug use, the public policies meant to control them, and the search for effective methods of
reducing the adverse medical, public health, and social consequences associated with both drugs and drug policies.
We define 'harm reduction' as 'policies and programs which aim to reduce the health, social, and economic costs of
legal and illegal psychoactive drug use without necessarily reducing drug consumption'.
Harm Reduction Therapy
Harm Reduction Psychotherapy is a non-judgmental approach to helping substance users reduce the negative
impact of drugs and alcohol have on their lives. It respects that people use drugs for a variety of reasons. It
addresses the complex relationship that people develop with drugs and alcohol. Drug and alcohol issues are
addressed simultaneously with social and occupational concerns and psychological and emotional issues.
HAMS Harm Reduction Network
HAMS stands for Harm reduction, Abstinence, and Moderation. The HAMS Harm Reduction Network is a free of
charge peer-led support group for people who use alcohol or other mood altering substances. HAMS Harm
Reduction strategies are defined in the 14 elements of HAMS. HAMS supports every positive change. Whether your
goal is safer use, reduced use, abstinence, or moderate use within specified guidelines, you will find a safe and
supportive environment here. If you want to change your drinking, you've come to the right place.
International Harm Reduction Association
IHRA is the leading organisation in promoting evidence based harm reduction policies and practices on a global
basis for all psychoactive substances (including illicit drugs, tobacco and alcohol).
International Harm Reduction Development Program
The International Harm Reduction Development Program, part of OSI's Public Health Program, focuses on
diminishing the individual and social harms associated with drug use—particularly the risk of HIV infection—through
innovative measures based on the philosophy of harm reduction.
Moderation Management (MM)
Self Management • Balance • Moderation • Personal Responsibility-Moderation Management is a behavioral change
program and national support group network for people concerned about their drinking and who desire to make
positive lifestyle changes.
Alcohol Management is a brief, confidential educational program that helps you eliminate drinking problems by
reducing your drinking or stopping altogether. You decide which is better for you: moderation or abstinence.
Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition
The Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition, Inc., is a Prevention and Wellness organization. Our mission is to empower
adults currently engaged in high-risk lifestyles. This includes those who are active or chronic relapse substance
users, alcoholics, sex workers and /or homeless. We provide them with choices to make safer life decisions.
Australian Centre for Addiction Research (ACAR)
Control Your Drinking Online: A Web-Based Self-Change Program.
Drink Too Much?
Here are practical suggestions for either cutting down or abstaining from alcohol along with tips for helping loved
ones who have a drinking problem.
Canadian Harm Reduction Network
The Canadian Harm Reduction Network is the virtual meeting place for individuals and organizations dedicated to
reducing the social, health and economic harms associated with drugs and drug policies.
Harm Reduction Coalition (HRC)
The Harm Reduction Coalition is a national advocacy and capacity-building organization that promotes the health
and dignity of individuals and communities impacted by drug use. HRC advances policies and programs that help
people address the adverse effects of drug use including overdose, HIV, hepatitis C, addiction, and incarceration.
Harm Reduction Journal (HRJ)
Harm Reduction Journal is an Open Access, peer-reviewed, online journal whose focus is on the prevalent patterns
of psychoactive drug use, the public policies meant to control them, and the search for effective methods of
reducing the adverse medical, public health, and social consequences associated with both drugs and drug policies.
We define 'harm reduction' as 'policies and programs which aim to reduce the health, social, and economic costs of
legal and illegal psychoactive drug use without necessarily reducing drug consumption'.
Harm Reduction Therapy
Harm Reduction Psychotherapy is a non-judgmental approach to helping substance users reduce the negative
impact of drugs and alcohol have on their lives. It respects that people use drugs for a variety of reasons. It
addresses the complex relationship that people develop with drugs and alcohol. Drug and alcohol issues are
addressed simultaneously with social and occupational concerns and psychological and emotional issues.
HAMS Harm Reduction Network
HAMS stands for Harm reduction, Abstinence, and Moderation. The HAMS Harm Reduction Network is a free of
charge peer-led support group for people who use alcohol or other mood altering substances. HAMS Harm
Reduction strategies are defined in the 14 elements of HAMS. HAMS supports every positive change. Whether your
goal is safer use, reduced use, abstinence, or moderate use within specified guidelines, you will find a safe and
supportive environment here. If you want to change your drinking, you've come to the right place.
International Harm Reduction Association
IHRA is the leading organisation in promoting evidence based harm reduction policies and practices on a global
basis for all psychoactive substances (including illicit drugs, tobacco and alcohol).
International Harm Reduction Development Program
The International Harm Reduction Development Program, part of OSI's Public Health Program, focuses on
diminishing the individual and social harms associated with drug use—particularly the risk of HIV infection—through
innovative measures based on the philosophy of harm reduction.
Moderation Management (MM)
Self Management • Balance • Moderation • Personal Responsibility-Moderation Management is a behavioral change
program and national support group network for people concerned about their drinking and who desire to make
positive lifestyle changes.
Harm Reduction Works
by G. Alan Marlatt, Ph.D.
The Harm Reduction approach is based on compassionate pragmatism instead of moralistic idealism. It recognizes
that a minority of people have always abused alcohol and always will. It doesn't condone this behavior, but seeks to
reduce its incidence and the harm it causes.
Education is the key to the prevention and minimization of harm related to high-risk alcohol use. Unlike prevention
programs for youth that focus exclusively on abstinence and promote a zero-tolerance, "just say no" approach,
programs based on harm reduction are designed to accommodate those who have already "said yes" (or who are
leaning in that direction) when it comes to experimenting. Such programs can be structured in group settings (e.g.,
prevention programs in schools) to include discussion of both abstinence and consumption of alcohol. The decision
to consume or to remain abstinent can be informed by a discussion of the relative pros and cons of each choice.
As an example, members of our staff at the University of Washington Behaviors Research Center were asked to visit
a private high school in Seattle to discuss drinking problems with members of the senior class. School officials
invited us to put on a program similar to the one we developed to work with University of Washington freshmen.
Since most of the high school seniors were planning to attend college within a year, and since most of these
students were already drinking, it was decided that a harm reduction approach was the best alternative to traditional
abstinence programs.
When we met with members of the senior class (with no teachers present), we asked them what they thought we
were going to talk about. One young woman, with a bored expression, replied: "Another 'just say no' lecture. Well,
while your doing that, I'm going to be daydreaming about the big party coming up Friday night." After we explained
that we were there to talk about drinking and its risks and benefits (as we did with college freshmen), the attitude
shifted to one of animated discussion. All but one student in the class of 20 revealed that they were active drinkers;
these students spoke freely about their experiences with alcohol, both positive and negative. In this interactive
discussion, students raised numerous questions that could easily be addressed within the framework of harm
reduction (e.g., How to respond to peer pressure to get drunk, how to help a friend who has overindulged, how
males and females respond differently to alcohol, how alcohol affects sexual activity, etc.).
The one student who reported that he was an abstainer was challenged at first by some of the other students, one
of whom accused him of being "holier than thou" and "looking down your nose" at students who were not abstinent.
"Not at all," he replied. "I'm hoping to make the college sports teams in the fall, and I don't want to do anything like
drinking that might interfere with my physical training or slow my reaction time." The ensuing discussion focused on
the advantages and the disadvantages of drinking, including the effects of alcohol on reaction time, with everyone
actively involved. Toward the end of the meeting, several students thanked us for promoting such an open forum in
which their views about drinking were accepted and discussed, even though alcohol consumption was illegal for
these underage drinkers. Another student told us, "We should be doing this in junior high school, when most of us
started to experiment with alcohol. Maybe some of us seniors could lead the discussion with the ninth-graders, the
way you did with us." Following this introductory meeting, school officials invited us to put on several harm reduction
workshops for the graduating class. This program was found to reduce harmful drinking patterns significantly over
the course of the school year.
Harm reduction views people as responsible for their own choices. They are helped "where they are" and moved
from there in small manageable steps to increasing levels of improved self-care, health, safety, and well-being. And
it works.
by G. Alan Marlatt, Ph.D.
The Harm Reduction approach is based on compassionate pragmatism instead of moralistic idealism. It recognizes
that a minority of people have always abused alcohol and always will. It doesn't condone this behavior, but seeks to
reduce its incidence and the harm it causes.
Education is the key to the prevention and minimization of harm related to high-risk alcohol use. Unlike prevention
programs for youth that focus exclusively on abstinence and promote a zero-tolerance, "just say no" approach,
programs based on harm reduction are designed to accommodate those who have already "said yes" (or who are
leaning in that direction) when it comes to experimenting. Such programs can be structured in group settings (e.g.,
prevention programs in schools) to include discussion of both abstinence and consumption of alcohol. The decision
to consume or to remain abstinent can be informed by a discussion of the relative pros and cons of each choice.
As an example, members of our staff at the University of Washington Behaviors Research Center were asked to visit
a private high school in Seattle to discuss drinking problems with members of the senior class. School officials
invited us to put on a program similar to the one we developed to work with University of Washington freshmen.
Since most of the high school seniors were planning to attend college within a year, and since most of these
students were already drinking, it was decided that a harm reduction approach was the best alternative to traditional
abstinence programs.
When we met with members of the senior class (with no teachers present), we asked them what they thought we
were going to talk about. One young woman, with a bored expression, replied: "Another 'just say no' lecture. Well,
while your doing that, I'm going to be daydreaming about the big party coming up Friday night." After we explained
that we were there to talk about drinking and its risks and benefits (as we did with college freshmen), the attitude
shifted to one of animated discussion. All but one student in the class of 20 revealed that they were active drinkers;
these students spoke freely about their experiences with alcohol, both positive and negative. In this interactive
discussion, students raised numerous questions that could easily be addressed within the framework of harm
reduction (e.g., How to respond to peer pressure to get drunk, how to help a friend who has overindulged, how
males and females respond differently to alcohol, how alcohol affects sexual activity, etc.).
The one student who reported that he was an abstainer was challenged at first by some of the other students, one
of whom accused him of being "holier than thou" and "looking down your nose" at students who were not abstinent.
"Not at all," he replied. "I'm hoping to make the college sports teams in the fall, and I don't want to do anything like
drinking that might interfere with my physical training or slow my reaction time." The ensuing discussion focused on
the advantages and the disadvantages of drinking, including the effects of alcohol on reaction time, with everyone
actively involved. Toward the end of the meeting, several students thanked us for promoting such an open forum in
which their views about drinking were accepted and discussed, even though alcohol consumption was illegal for
these underage drinkers. Another student told us, "We should be doing this in junior high school, when most of us
started to experiment with alcohol. Maybe some of us seniors could lead the discussion with the ninth-graders, the
way you did with us." Following this introductory meeting, school officials invited us to put on several harm reduction
workshops for the graduating class. This program was found to reduce harmful drinking patterns significantly over
the course of the school year.
Harm reduction views people as responsible for their own choices. They are helped "where they are" and moved
from there in small manageable steps to increasing levels of improved self-care, health, safety, and well-being. And
it works.
| Submit Article, Story, Website-DEFEAT ADDICTIONS |
| YOUR FREE SELF-TREATMENT & RECOVERY RESOURCE FOR ALCOHOL, COCAINE, HEROIN, MARIJUANA, & METH ADDICTION |
| YOUR FREE SELF-TREATMENT & RECOVERY RESOURCE FOR ALCOHOL, COCAINE, HEROIN, MARIJUANA, & METH ADDICTION |
FREE ALCOHOL & DRUG ADDICTION SELF-TREATMENT
AND NON 12-STEP ALTERNATIVE RECOVERY PROGRAMS!
AND NON 12-STEP ALTERNATIVE RECOVERY PROGRAMS!
DEFEAT ADDICTIONS.ORG
FREE ALCOHOL & DRUG ADDICTION SELF-TREATMENT
AND NON 12-STEP ALTERNATIVE RECOVERY PROGRAMS!
AND NON 12-STEP ALTERNATIVE RECOVERY PROGRAMS!
| DEFEAT ADDICTIONS.ORG © 2009 Defeat Addictions Inc. All Rights Reserved The opinions contained on this website are ours and in no way reflect those of the financial supporters of this website. All material provided on the Defeat Addictions Website is provided for informational or educational purposes only. We cannot provide individual clinical or therapy recommendations for persons consulting this site. Consult a licensed therapist or physician regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your problems or medical condition. |
Custom Search
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| SELF-TREATMENT |
| RECOVERY PROGRAMS |
| HELP FROM US |
| OTHER RESOURCES |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| RESEARCH/PREVENTION |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| CHOICE OF ADDICTION |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |