At the public health level, some people tackle the problem of substance abuse and addiction in the community from a harm reduction framework, rather than an abstinence philosophy.
A harm reduction counselor might not insist that you quit drugs or drinking entirely (although she would certainly support that idea if it was desired) but would certainly encourage you to minimize the harms of your risky behaviors, to yourself, to your family and to your community.
For example, needle exchange programs and safe injection clinics work from a harm reduction philosophy.
From a harm reduction philosophy, treatment that does not induce complete abstinence is not a failure, so long as treatment reduces use or the negative consequences of use. 1
Addiction Treatment in the Criminal Justice System
Drug courts and other alternative to incarceration programs have made the criminal justice system the single largest referent into the addiction treatment network. In all, 37% of people getting addiction treatment today are referrals from the criminal justice system.
Criminal justice system referents are more likely than those from any other source to complete a period of treatment (treatment completion rate is one of the greatest predictors of recovery success).
The success of criminal justice system clients in addiction treatment programs clearly reinforces the concept that entry into a treatment program does not need to be voluntary to be worthwhile. 2
page last update Jun 26, 2011
