Harm reduction: a new perspective on substance abuse services.
This article provides information on harm reduction, a recent development in substance abuse services in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The author outlines abstinence and harm reduction perspectives and the stages of change model and discusses how these perspectives can be integrated in social work practice. He proposes using harm reduction strategies for individuals for whom the abstinence perspective may not be appropriate. Together, the traditional abstinence and harm reduction perspectives provide a basis for a more comprehensive continuum of care for individuals experiencing problems related to their substance use.
MacMaster
Samuel A
SA
College of Social Work, University of Tennessee, Nashville 37210, USA. smacmast@utk.edu
D040261:Harm Reduction; D006801:Humans; D012947:Social Work; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States