Harm Reduction for Addiction
Kimberly Tate-Nuwar, M.S.W.
If you or a loved one struggles with addiction, it is a scary thing to think about going fully abstinent from drugs or alcohol. In recent years, harm reduction programs have gained popularity in assisting people fighting addictions on their own terms.
If you were to talk to several people who got sober, you notice that recovery looks different for each person. For some people, they can go cold turkey on substances and never look back. Some people need a formal program and support around them to get sober. Others needed to taper off to quit completely.
Tapering is a form of harm reduction. Harm reduction can mean cutting down on the amount of alcohol or substances being ingested, being in a safe and monitored place when using, having and using clean supplies, using Fentanyl test strips, or having Narcan available if an overdose from an opioid occurs. Studies have found that harm reduction helps reduce health risks, improve access to health care, reduce stigma, increase better mental health outcomes, and opens the door for people who have not made the full decision to give up substances.
Most people know Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) 12-Step programs, which teach full abstinence, but other programs like SMART Recovery offer an evidence-informed approach for self-reliance to control addictive behaviors using SMART™ techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Health (CBT) and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). People choose their own goals, skills, and tools. Most importantly, mutual support is available from peers in a respectful, inclusive, and non-judgmental environment. As all research shows, having a supportive and safe social network is key when recovering from an addiction.
If you or a loved one is contemplating change but unsure how much, taking part in individual therapy works a lot like SMART Recovery. Call Summit Counseling Center @ 678.893.5300 or complete the online form to meet with one of our substance-use counselors to discuss options, the severity of your addiction, and what you are willing to do now.