What is harm reduction?

Harm reduction is a way of working with people suffering from substance use. Research has shown that it is easier for some people to begin counseling when they do not have to follow a prescribed treatment plan dictated by someone else. In harm reduction, any treatment goal is valid that helps reduce harm to an individual. Following this philosophy, total abstinence becomes one goal among many possible alternatives.

Substance use on the rise:
Research studies have shown that adolescents and college students are "...at elevated risk for problems because of their high alcohol consumption rates" (Harm Reduction, Marlatt, A., 1998, p. 93).

"About 1 in 4 American chilldren is exposed to family alcoholism or alcohol abuse while growing up..." (New York Times, Jan.1, 2000).
And so much for the stereotype of drug users: 7 out of 10 drug users are full-time workers (WMBC - 9-8-99)

Following are some of the warning signs for problems with substance use:

1) you find substance use is interfering with some aspect of your life - family, friends, school, employment.
2) you feel defensive when questioned about your drinking or taking drugs
3) you tend to forget what you did the night before, and this forgetting persists over time
4) if one drink (or drug) is not enough, and you find an increasing need to have more
5) you find that substance use is making it easier to function socially
6) you find yourself wondering whether you have a problem, then dismiss that idea
 
If you have a friend that you feel is having a problem, be gentle. Most people do not do well with harsh confrontation.