Harm Reduction, Part Seven: The Menu of Change Options

Ready to make a change in your alcohol or drug use, but quitting isn't on the table for you?

Check out the menu of options for strategies that meet YOUR needs.

​If you've been taking a closer look at your use of substances, and have decided to make some changes, ​you may be wondering where to start.

You may not be interested in quitting, but are curious about other positive choices you could make.

One of the most wonderfully liberating aspects of a harm reduction* approach is the ability to choose from an incredibly varied menu of potential change options.
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Here's what could be on the menu for you...
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​You can reduce the AMOUNT you use each time. For example: ​

• Having five drinks a night instead of six
• Taking one less pill during each weekend binge
• Switching from spirits to beer (lower proof)
• Smoking fifteen cigarettes instead of a pack a day
• Snorting two lines with friends instead of three
• Ordering a single rather than a double latte​

Sometimes this is a better option for longer-acting drugs (such as heroin or alcohol), but your experience may vary. In order to go this route, you'll need to measure how much you are actually using in order to track your progress. (Additionally, please make sure you reduce slowly; if you are physically dependent on alcohol, benzodiazepines, or barbiturates, medical detox might be the safest option). 

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You can alter the FREQUENCY of your use, which you might do by:

• Skipping the office happy hour every other week
• ​Using Ecstasy only at monthly dance parties or special events, rather than each weekend
• Deciding that you will use speed only in social situations, not to go to work every day
• Cutting out your afternoon coffee run

​This might be a good option if you find it difficult to stop using once you've started, and for substances that are shorter-acting or harder to reduce in amount (crack cocaine or speed, for example).
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You can change the number or types of substances you MIX together.

Much of the harm from our use comes from the way substances combine, and you can reduce negative outcomes by using just one at a time. This might initially involve paying closer attention to the reasons why you want to mix them in the first place. (You can use a decisional balance to look closer at your potential motivations and barriers.)

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You can change HOW you take your substance, such as:

• Using pills instead of shooting up
• Trying marijuana edibles instead of smoking
• Drinking on a full stomach to slow down absorption
• Experimenting with an e-cigarette 

Routes of administration range from safer (ingesting) to less safe (smoking) to most risky (shooting), which also affects how quickly or intensely you feel the effects. You may also find that part of the complex relationship you have with a substance is an attachment to the particular ritual of using, which may require further exploration.

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You can change the SITUATION that you use in. For example:

• Finding a clean, safe, well-lit place to shoot up
• Choosing to drink only socially if you get depressed when drinking alone
• Choosing to only drink at home if drama happens every time you drink in public
• Getting high with your best friend instead of your abusive ex-partner​​

​This tactic is all about paying careful attention to setting, and choosing safer options.
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You can put more effort into PLANNING your use, such as:​

• Going to needle exchange to get clean equipment
• Choosing a designated driver
• Drinking plenty of water and making sure you've eaten recently
• Thinking about what music or media to have on while high
• Paying attention to set and setting; being around people you like in an environment that feels safe while attending to your mood state

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You can try SUBSTITUTING a less harmful drug for a more harmful one, like:

• Methadone (for opiates)
• Buprenorphine (for opiates)
• Naltrexone (blocks effects of opiates and alcohol)
• Marijuana (for more harmful drugs, if that works for you)
• Nicotine replacement patches or gum (for cigarettes)
• Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications (if you are self-medicating anxiety or depression with your use)

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You can focus on OVERDOSE PREVENTION:

• Educate yourself about and obtain Narcan if you use opiates
• Don't try to sleep off alcohol poisoning--learn about the Bacchus position and seek medical attention if necessary
• Be wary of mixing more than one sedating drug
• Know your dose and your dealer

This may be one of the most important harm reduction techniques of all--since survival is essential for making any future positive change!
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If you decide that you are going to keep using just as you are now, you can still engage in SELF-CARE while using:

• Compassionately accept yourself as drug user, and accept that ambivalence is very human
• Engage in other healthy behaviors: eat regularly, drink water, exercise, stay warm, get enough sleep
• Build relationships with people who accept your use without shaming or belittling you, and support your overall wellness
• Pay attention to yourself while using; build awareness of why you use substances
• Avoid legal consequences and use within your financial means
• Take good care of your emotions: address your feelings, notice dysfunctional thinking, stimulate your mind, soothe yourself when upset, have fun, be spiritual​
  
  

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Finally, if you've decided that your goal is ABSTINENCE ​(which qualifies as a harm reduction goal!) there is a variety of ways to get there.

• You can quit everything all at once (most traditional substance abuse programs can assist you with this)
• The "warm turkey" route, such as the following:

1. Tapering your use (see above about changing amount or frequency) towards zero
2. Sobriety sampling--trying abstinence for a brief period to see what your challenges and strategies might be
3. Trial moderation--attempting to use moderately for a brief period

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​There are many more safety strategies tailored to specific substances (such as only using nitrous or ketamine from a stationary position, or supplements that might be helpful following Ecstasy use). The variations are endless, and this means that you can really design a strategy that works for you!

From here, you could pick out some potential options that feel feasible, and begin preparation for that particular change.

This can be a complex undertaking, and you might find it helpful to have coaching or support. If you'd like more assistance, I encourage you to contact me for a consultation, and we can discuss the kinds of strategies that might work for your life.
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If you are just now joining me, and are curious about the harm reduction model, I invite you to check out the other posts in this series, and feel free to ask questions if you're curious. Next time, I plan to discuss some tips around drink-counting techniques. Have a great week!
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* Some of the information in this post was gleaned from the excellent book Over the Influence: The Harm Reduction Guide for Managing Drugs and Alcohol. For those seeking further education about this topic, I can not recommend this book highly enough.