harm reduction

Minimizing negative consequences

Harm reduction is a public health approach that aims to minimize the negative effects of risky behaviors rather than demanding abstinence.

Most associated with drug policy—needle exchanges, supervised injection sites, naloxone distribution—the philosophy accepts that some people will use drugs and focuses on keeping them alive and healthier: The clinic takes a harm reduction approach rather than requiring sobriety.

The framework extends to safer sex education, alcohol moderation programs, and other areas where pragmatism replaces moral absolutism.

addiction

naloxone

Opioid overdose antidote

methadoneSynthetic addiction treatment opioid
buprenorphinePartial agonist for dependency
suboxoneOpioid dependency medication

needle exchange · safe injection · relapse prevention · naltrexone · overdose prevention · detoxification · peer support · dependence · abstinence · sobriety

public health

HIV prevention

Blocking AIDS virus transmission

hepatitis CViral liver inflammation, specific strain
opioid crisisMass addiction emergency
epidemiologyStudy of disease spread

outreach · vulnerable populations · community health · sexual health · mental health · social work · health equity · infectious disease · morbidity · health promotion

safety

safer sex

Intimacy minimizing disease transmission

condomsContraceptive barrier device
clean needlesUnused injection equipment
pill testingAnalyzing substances for safety

wound care · infection control · risk mitigation · protective gear

intervention

crisis intervention

Help during acute emergencies

educationSystematic development of mind
behavior changeShift in conduct
empowermentGaining authority or confidence

community support · training · resource allocation · collaboration · case management · counseling · cultural competency

policy

decriminalization

Ending criminal status

legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
guidelinesSuggested rules for behavior

protocols · advocacy · legalization · criminalization · enforcement · compliance · governance · mandates · drug courts · sentencing reform

Categories

public healthdisease prevention, immunization, disease control, health education, epidemiology
moral sayingsdo unto others, golden rule, do the right thing, honesty is the best policy, treat others fairly
recoveryrecovery, sobriety, rehab, recover, recovery room
substance abuseaddiction, abuse, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, substance use
addiction servicesrehab, detox, naloxone, Narcan, methadone
AIDS activismACT UP, red ribbon, AIDS quilt, World AIDS Day, HIV testing

Opposites

policy approach to substance use

harm reductionzero tolerance

Policy allowing no infractions

prohibition · drug prohibition · Just Say No · cold turkey · War on Drugs

goal orientation

harm reductionabstinence

Voluntary forgoing of indulgences

full recovery · cure · perfectionism · maximalism

moral/philosophical framework

harm reductionprohibitionism

Doctrine favoring substance bans

puritanism · temperance movement · tough love · condemnation · benign neglect

Family

harm, reduce, harmful, harmless, reduced, reduction, unharmed, reducing, reduces

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Rated PG