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Harm reduction: come as you are

G A Marlatt1

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195-1525, USA.

Addictive Behaviors
|November 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Harm reduction is a public health approach that pragmatically reduces the negative consequences of addictive behaviors for individuals and communities. It accepts non-abstinence outcomes, prioritizing safety and well-being in addiction treatment.

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Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Addictive Behaviors
  • Addiction Treatment

Background:

  • Harm reduction is a pragmatic public health approach to mitigate risks associated with addictive behaviors.
  • It contrasts with traditional abstinence-only or criminal justice models of addiction.
  • Its principles are increasingly influential in the addictive behaviors field.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To define harm reduction, trace its development, and explain its mechanisms.
  • To underscore its growing importance in addressing addictive behaviors.
  • To present examples of its application in prevention and treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of harm reduction principles.
  • Historical analysis of European harm reduction programs.

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  • Presentation of case examples from a national harm reduction conference.

    • Main Results:

    • Harm reduction strategies aim to minimize negative consequences for drug users and communities.
    • Historical roots in Europe demonstrate long-standing pragmatic approaches to addiction.
    • Conference highlights illustrate diverse applications in addiction prevention and treatment.

    Conclusions:

    • Harm reduction offers a public health alternative to moralistic or disease models of addiction.
    • It accepts reduced harm as a valid outcome, not solely focusing on abstinence.
    • It emphasizes "bottom-up" community-based advocacy and "low-threshold" service access.