Harm Reduction for Substance Use
Substance use is a focus area of treatment for many people who are seeking out therapy; often for themselves and/or someone who they love. Some people are simply seeking to increase their insight into the role that substances play in their lives, while others come to the work following some higher level of care aimed to address addiction. The goals that are established around one’s relationship to substance are unique to each individual.
Harm Reduction for Substance Use
Substance use is a focus area of treatment for many people who are seeking out therapy; often for themselves and/or someone who they love. Some people are simply seeking to increase their insight into the role that substances play in their lives, while others come to the work following some higher level of care aimed to address addiction. The goals that are established around one’s relationship to substance are unique to each individual.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Substance Misuse
Below are some common experiences of people who are having difficulty in the areas of substance use:
Increased difficulty making healthy choices about your alcohol or drug use.
Your use has started to interfere with your job, relationships or other commitments.
Noticing a need for increased quantities of your desired substance to achieve the same effect.
Feeling out of control with your current level of consumption.
A recent blackout, overdose, legal issue or other scenario that puts your safety or life at risk.
Observing a pattern of being in relationships with people who are struggling with substances.
Being affected by the worry, secrecy, loneliness, caretaking that can accompany loving someone who misuses substances.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Substance Misuse
Below are some common experiences of people who are having difficulty in the areas of substance use:
Increased difficulty making healthy choices about your alcohol or drug use.
Your use has started to interfere with your job, relationships or other commitments.
Noticing a need for increased quantities of your desired substance to achieve the same effect.
Feeling out of control with your current level of consumption.
A recent blackout, overdose, legal issue or other scenario that puts your safety or life at risk.
Observing a pattern of being in relationships with people who are struggling with substances.
Being affected by the worry, secrecy, loneliness, caretaking that can accompany loving someone who misuses substances.
“Not why the addiction but why the pain.”
— Gabor Maté
Our approach to Substance Use
Working with a therapist at Resilient Self Therapy can help assess the nature of the problem and together we will collaborate to set goals towards positive change. We take a Harm Reduction approach to our work with substance using clients, which may mean finding safe ways to moderate your use or could also mean developing an abstinence plan to support your sobriety and recovery.
Our approach to Substance Use
Working with a therapist at Resilient Self Therapy can help assess the nature of the problem and together we will collaborate to set goals towards positive change. We take a Harm Reduction approach to our work with substance using clients, which may mean finding safe ways to moderate your use or could also mean developing an abstinence plan to support your sobriety and recovery.
Common Questions about Substance Use
What is a Harm Reduction approach to substance use and how does it differ from an abstinence based approach?
Harm reduction refers to a range of intentional practices designed to lessen the negative social and/or physical consequences associated with various human behaviors, like substance use. While traditional substance use treatment has promoted an abstinence based approach, harm reduction aims to meet a client where they’re at regarding the areas of their use that feel problematic to them. While a harm reduction approach can include sobriety, it doesn’t necessarily have to.
How does therapy focusing on substances account for recreational substance use?
Substances make us feel good! Whether it’s enjoying an ice cream cone, your daily cup of coffee (or 3), a glass of wine with dinner, or the occasional party night, the idea of introducing a substance to create a desired effect has long been a part of human existence. That said, the use, misuse, or dependence continuum is one that is always being considered when working in this area of clinical practice and our team is versed in helping you sort through the realities of your specific situation.
A therapist once told me that I had to “get clean” in order to work with them. Is that the same for Resilient Self Therapy?
No Way! We’ve heard this all too often and find that mentality not only stigmatizing but void of considering all of the aspects of mental health that substances initially help with. We see therapy that focuses on substance use to not be separate from mental health issues like depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, etc but part of the complex web of one’s well being.
However, if we assess that the current extent of your substance use would be better served by a higher level of care, we may recommend you start with a referral to a trusted facility and hope that you consider us for follow up care once your situation is stabilized and psychotherapy is needed to help support your goals.
It’s not me who’s struggling with substances, but someone who I care about. Can therapy help with that?
Family members or loved ones of substance users are also a common client to our practice. Being in a relationship with people who are struggling with substance use can pose its own set of challenges, which we believe is very beneficial to have support around. Sometimes the best place to start is with yourself, so give us a call today to see how we can help.
Common Questions about Substance Use
What is a Harm Reduction approach to substance use and how does it differ from an abstinence based approach?
Harm reduction refers to a range of intentional practices designed to lessen the negative social and/or physical consequences associated with various human behaviors, like substance use. While traditional substance use treatment has promoted an abstinence based approach, harm reduction aims to meet a client where they’re at regarding the areas of their use that feel problematic to them. While a harm reduction approach can include sobriety, it doesn’t necessarily have to.
How does therapy focusing on substances account for recreational substance use?
Substances make us feel good! Whether it’s enjoying an ice cream cone, your daily cup of coffee (or 3), a glass of wine with dinner, or the occasional party night, the idea of introducing a substance to create a desired effect has long been a part of human existence. That said, the use, misuse, or dependence continuum is one that is always being considered when working in this area of clinical practice and our team is versed in helping you sort through the realities of your specific situation.
A therapist once told me that I had to “get clean” in order to work with them. Is that the same for Resilient Self Therapy?
No Way! We’ve heard this all too often and find that mentality not only stigmatizing but void of considering all of the aspects of mental health that substances initially help with. We see therapy that focuses on substance use to not be separate from mental health issues like depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, etc but part of the complex web of one’s well being.
However, if we assess that the current extent of your substance use would be better served by a higher level of care, we may recommend you start with a referral to a trusted facility and hope that you consider us for follow up care once your situation is stabilized and psychotherapy is needed to help support your goals.
It’s not me who’s struggling with substances, but someone who I care about. Can therapy help with that?
Family members or loved ones of substance users are also a common client to our practice. Being in a relationship with people who are struggling with substance use can pose its own set of challenges, which we believe is very beneficial to have support around. Sometimes the best place to start is with yourself, so give us a call today to see how we can help.
