The Case for a Harm Reduction Approach

This book advocates for harm reduction as a humanizing overarching approach to substance use and addiction care, one that can increase access to and engagement in treatment and other services. In this book, the authors lay out the challenges and limitations of the abstinence-only approach to treatment and care, which can lead to disillusioned clients and frustrated providers. Based on interviews conducted at two harm reduction programs, this book describes how the approach demarginalized clients and led them to voluntarily engage in services, thereby resulting in improved quality of life, hopeful future goals and plans, better social functioning, and reduced substance use. In their own words, clients and providers described what uniquely characterized a harm reduction approach and how it as an alternative, supplement, or complement to existing abstinence-only options. This important volume contributes key information critical for training future generations of social workers, healthcare providers, and addiction specialists.