Abstinence vs. Harm Reduction
Alcohol and drug treatment centers are generally abstinence based. While it is most popular to promote abstinence in treatment, there are many who reason that harm reduction strategies should be used more often than they currently are. Although abstinence is the goal in treatment for those suffering from drug addiction, harm reduction is a viable, short-term solution for severe cases.
Treatment modalities usually follow the principles of recovery from 12 Step and similar programs. They commonly believe that recovery begins with abstinence, meaning that use of all drugs stops. The premise is that individuals must be clear-headed when they embark on the road to recovery. Otherwise they will not be honest and thorough in times of self-evaluation.
Harm reduction strategies generally allow individuals to continue using their drug of choice, or a replacement drug like Methadone. For heroin users, as an example, needle exchanges are meant to reduce transmission of diseases between users. And Methadone maintenance provides them with the opiate relief the body craves at a safe level.
Both abstinence and harm reduction have positive and negative results. Each approach benefits the lives drug addicts whether they achieve full recovery or simply avoid disease. Sadly, the nature of addiction leads many who enter treatment into relapse, and compels many addicts using harm reduction to further abuse. But both approaches can lead drug addicts to recovery when they want it.
Medication Assisted Treatment is a third solution. The use of non-narcotic medications like Vivitrol to reduce opiate cravings may be a solution for individuals who use heroin, prescription drugs, or Methadone and are unable to achieve long-term abstinence. This form of treatment has the promise of bringing together the abstinence and harm reduction advocates.
Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides medication assisted treatment as part of our commitment to integrated behavioral healthcare in alcohol and drug treatment. If you or a loved one needs help with alcohol dependence or drug addiction, please call us now at 888-777-8565 or contact us here.
Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.