Group Therapy, Abstinence, Harm Reduction

Abstract

The harm reduction paradigm has been proposed as a beneficial therapeutic alternative for substance dependent individuals who cannot or do not readily achieve abstinence. A brief discussions is presented on how this alternative has fostered another unproductive polarized controversy in the addiction field. The author presents a group vignette in which an open and honest interaction unfolds among the members about the advantages and possible problems of both the harm reduction and abstinence models. A case is made of the need for alternatives to abstinence, such as harm reduction, when patients cannot or do not adopt it, especially early in recovery.

Key Words:

• Group therapy
• harm reduction
• abstinence
• addiction treatment
• recovery paradigms