Even after trying to get someone help with drug intervention services, not everyone who abuses drugs or alcohol is willing to quit.
Some people may be willing to reduce their substance abuse, but not follow complete abstinence. This can be frustrating, especially if it involves someone you love, but there are ways to reduce the dangers surrounding their substance abuse.
What Is Harm Reduction?
Harm reduction refers to an effort to minimize the damage and negative consequences associated with substance abuse through a variety of programs and policies. The harm reduction model is founded on the idea that addicts have rights and preventative efforts to decrease substance abuse alone are not always effective.Ideally, everyone who struggles with substance abuse would get some type of addiction treatment, but realistically, this is not the case. For those who will never get sober, the harm reduction approach helps promote safer drug use to reduce the consequences for the drug user as well as the public.
Substance Abuse Harm Reduction Examples
The harm reduction model for substance abuse includes a wide range of programs, policies, and techniques. Because of the controversial nature of this model, the legality of these programs varies from place to place. Some cities and states have more harm reduction resources available than others.Some harm reduction examples include:
- Needle exchange programs
- Safe injection sites
- Support and outreach programs
- Overdose and safe drug administration education
- Distributing Narcan, the opioid overdose-reversing drug
- Opioid substitution therapy
- Decriminalizing drug use
- Fighting discrimination of substance abusers
- Referrals to treatment programs
How Effective Is the Harm Reduction Model?
Criticism of harm reduction strategies for addiction includes the fear that these practices and approaches encourage and increase substance abuse. In actuality, the harm reduction model for drugs and alcohol has been proven to effectively decrease negative consequences without increasing substance abuse.Some of the benefits of the harm reduction model include:
- Reducing bloodborne illnesses like HIV or hepatitis from needle sharing
- Decreasing overdose deaths with immediate medical attention available at safe injection sites and Narcan distribution
- Reducing I.V. drug use complications with safe injection sites and drug administration education
- Reducing cravings and substances use with replacement therapy
- Lowering the stigma associated with addiction
- Improving access to health services for substance abusers
- Increasing the number of people who will enter treatment because of education, counseling, and support groups
Needle exchange programs have been proven to be effective for reducing bloodborne illnesses, safe, and cost-effective without any damaging effects.1 Opioid replacement therapy reduces illicit opioid abuse, HIV risk behaviors, criminal activity, and overdose deaths.1 Methadone maintenance programs decrease mortality rates.2 The year after a safe injection facility opened in Vancouver, the number of people seeking detox and other addiction treatment services in the area drastically increased.3
Addiction is a disease; recovery from a substance abuse disorder is a long and challenging process. When someone is finally ready to get treatment, we are here. Our Pompano Beach drug rehab works with people in various stages of the recovery process as they work toward lasting sobriety.
If you or someone you care about has a problem, do not wait any longer to help. To get more information about our facility or programs at Banyan Pompano, call us today at 888-280-4763.
Sources:
Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing
Alyssa is the National Director of Digital Marketing and is responsible for a multitude of integrated campaigns and events in the behavioral health and addictions field. All articles have been written by Alyssa and medically reviewed by our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Darrin Mangiacarne.
