Have you thought about cutting down, or quitting, your use of a substance or medication? Have you ever wondered if you should have sex in safer ways? Do you keep doing things you regret because of the thrill or comfort you get in the moment?
Do you wish you had someone to talk to about the risks you take? A harm reduction practitioner might be right for you.
I incorporate harm reduction principles into my work with people who use drugs (of any kind), people who take risks with sex, and people who tend to repeat behaviors that have negative consequences. This means that I want to understand where you’re coming from, talk to you about the real risks you face, and problem-solve with you about ways to get into or improve your recovery walk.
But wait a minute! Does this mean you should absolutely stop everything all at once…? Not necessarily.
SAMHSA defines recovery as “a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential.” This definition allows for the possibility that recovery may or may not include ‘quitting” and that medications are one way to support recovery.
The National Harm Reduction Coalition’s definition of harm reduction focuses on thinking about how you and your treatment professional can work together to help you improve your health and your sense of well-being in ways that make sense to you. These principles also take into account all of the factors that affect your choices like money, race, ethnicity, housing.
Harm reduction principles highlight the rights of all people to make choices about their health and their life.
If you are considering making changes to support your health, feel more whole, and begin to reach for your dreams, contact me to learn how I might be able to help.