For this first impression post, I decided to write about the different ways that people can approach addition, and the models that are recommended. The first model is abstinence which looks to completely rid an individual’s life of the addicted substance. The second model is the harm reduction model. This model focuses on using addictive substances in a safe way to decrease the risks that using drugs or drinking alcohol brings to individuals addicted to them. This model acknowledges that some people may not be ready to completely abstain from substances so they just make sure they are safe.
For me, I personally agree with the abstinence model more although I believe that both models have their pros and cons. The abstinence model seems like the better option to me because anyone addicted to a substance should want to completely eliminate it from their life. Abstinence is the only way that someone addicted will be free from the hold that the substance has on them. The con in this method is that usually this is hard to accomplish right off the bat, and often people will fall back into the habit of using. Usually too, if people fall back into using, they will fall harder and use more than they did before. I understand the point of the harm reduction method because anyone using drugs should be using safely, but I also think that encouraging use is not the way to get people to stop using addictive substances. The pro in this method is that it will lessen the amount of diseases caused by unsafe using, but the con is that it makes it seem like using is okay as long as you are being safe. Although this thought can also be refuted by saying that those who are addicted will find ways to use, safe or unsafe, so it is better to make sure that they are being safe.
If I had a loved one struggling with addiction, I would first make sure that they were being safe in what they were doing, and then I would help and encourage them to abstinence. I think that this is the only way to be completely free addiction which should be the ultimate goal for those struggling. I would encourage them throughout the whole long and difficult process, but help them strive towards not using at all.
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I think it’s a great idea to combine the two methods as you mentioned towards the end, making sure they are using safely before putting them on the path of abstinence. This would make sure that the user isn’t causing more risk to themselves than necessary. Although, I do want to point out that I don’t believe the harm-reduction method encourages addiction and substance use/abuse, rather it knows that addiction is difficult to combat, so it provides users with safer methods of using. Rather than allowing the user to put themselves at serious risks during their addictions, it minimizes some of that with cleaner methods while still trying to help them quit using. I don’t believe there is an endorsement of substance abuse within that method. But the pros and cons you pointed out for both methods otherwise are spot on, and it’s great that you took them into consideration when picking your method.
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