What is Substance Use Disorder (SUD) a.k.a. addiction?

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a disease. It is often referred to as addiction and spans a wide variety of problems arising from the use of drugs and/or alcohol. When diagnosed properly, two or three symptoms indicate a mild substance use disorder; four or five symptoms indicate a moderate substance use disorder, and six or more symptoms indicate a severe substance use disorder. SUD IS NOT A MORAL ISSUE - IT IS A DISEASE!

Symptoms of SUD

Taking the substance in larger amounts or for longer than you're meant to.
Wanting to cut down or stop using the substance but not managing to.
Spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from use of the substance.
Cravings and urges to use the substance.
Not managing to do what you should at work, home, or school because of substance use.
Continuing to use, even when it causes problems in relationships.
Giving up important social, occupational, or recreational activities because of substance use.
Using substances again and again, even when it puts you in danger.
Continuing to use, even when you know you have a physical or psychological problem that could have been caused or made worse by the substance.
Needing more of the substance to get the effect you want (tolerance).

What is Harm Reduction?

Simply put, harm reduction is meeting people where they are with kindness, respect and dignity. Harm reductionists believe in bodily autonomy and accept the fact that people do and will use drugs whether legally or illegally. The disease of addiction afflicts more than 22 million Americans every day plus the tens of millions of family members that love them so dearly. That’s one quarter of American families!

“Harm reduction just enables people to keep using drugs.”

False. Access to harm reduction creates a coordinated approach to care, and — most importantly — provides a person with SUD the access they need to choices that are healthier. It creates a safe space for them to seek help or even treatment when they are ready. In many cases, it can encourage people who use substances to start treatment. Most importantly it saves lives and minimizes the risk.

Harm reduction programs offer a personal setting and the opportunity to engage people with substance use disorder in a non-judgemental and unrestricted setting. In short, harm reduction is not the opposite of recovery — but it is a bridge between addiction and recovery.*

“If it was that good, every community would have it.”

A combination of cost, stigma, and misconceptions about harm reduction is the actual hurdle facing harm reduction sites. While proven to be effective, harm reduction is often met with a lot of pushback in favor of abstinence. The focus on abstinence-based models for many — including 12-step programs along with inpatient and outpatient treatment — leads many people to believe that abstinence is the only approach that works. However, there’s room for both if you consider harm reduction and abstinence. Both can lead to better health and safety outcomes.*

*[source: https://www.safeproject.us/resource/the-truth-about-harm-reduction/]

“Harm reduction supports illicit substance use and does not consider the role of abstinence in addiction treatment.”

False. Harm reduction is focused on reducing the harms from drug use and drug policy but remains neutral and non-judgemental about drug use and treatment decisions. Abstinence may work for some but it does not work for everyone. Even so, the harm reduction approach supports people in defining their own goals and decisions about treatment, including abstinence if that is their choice.*

Harm reduction puts people first.

The harm reduction movement is centered in respect and compassion, rather than coercion, shame and punishment. Total abstinence is not required to receive harm reduction services. There are several core principles, including meeting people where they are, encouraging any positive change, and including people with lived experience of addiction and drug use as leaders and decision-makers within harm reduction spaces.

Harm reduction allows people who’ve been negatively impacted by substances to create their own goals.

For some, abstinence from drugs and alcohol may be their goal. For others, the goal may be to first reduce use, or to stop using one substance entirely without swearing off others. Goals don’t have to strictly apply to substance use and can include things like reconnecting with family or finding stable housing. All kinds of goals for positive change are welcome and embraced in harm reduction spaces. This helps empower people and increases their chances of success. [Source: Shatterproof]

The National Institute of Health, states that harm reduction helps people who use drugs avoid negative effects, like infection, disease and/or overdose.

According to the National Harm Reduction Coalition, harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing the negative consequences associated with drug use. Harm reduction is also a movement for social justice built on a belief in, and respect for, the rights of people who use drugs.

Harm Reduction saves lives!

Harm reduction supports and resources can save lives by preventing drug-related deaths, like overdose, and offering access to medical care and healthcare, social services, and treatment if they would like. These supports decrease death due to drug poisoning, and reduce rates of infection due to unsterile drug injection, and chronic illnesses such as HIV and Hepatitis.

What are some examples of Harm Reduction?

A common example of harm reduction OUTSIDE of substance use is when a person clicks their seatbelt; driving is a very dangerous activity, and we mitigate that risk by wearing a seatbelt. Another example of harm reduction is wearing a nicotine patch instead of smoking. Wearing a face mask is an example of harm reduction during the pandemic and also during yearly cold and flu seasons. Some people drink a glass of water in between alcoholic drinks at the bar.

For People Who Use Drugs (PWUD), harm reduction could include not using alone, carrying and knowing how to administer naloxone, using clean syringes and clean smoking supplies, and disposing of used supplies safely. There are harm reduction centers around the country that can provide all these services to individuals and we need many more of these safe spaces. Too many people are dying, and every overdose is preventable.

How Do I Get Involved In Harm Reduction?

Get educated even more. Look at the success that Syringe Service Programs (SSPs) have had. Know where the harm reduction centers are in your community. Carry naloxone and know how to use it. Attend a Harm Reduction Works meeting. Show compassion to any person who is using drugs. Reduce stigma around addiction and recovery by educating and embracing medicines like methadone, suboxone, and Vivitrol. Realize that not everyone recovers the same way. Stay open-minded.

Visit our friends at The NJ Harm Reduction Coalition and The National Harm Reduction Coalition

If you feel you need help or have questions, call or text us at (609) 241-2630. This is a judgement-free zone!