Synopses & Reviews
Review
"Harm reduction approaches combine common sense, scientific evidence, public health precepts, and respect for human dignity. This is certainly the finest volume on harm reduction to date--a skillfully edited and comprehensive introduction for readers seeking more effective, compassionate approaches to drug use and abuse." --Ethan Nadelmann, JD, PhD, Director, The Lindesmith Center, New York
"Harm Reduction is one of the most important publications in the addictions field in the past quarter-century. It presents a compelling public health alternative to the war on drugs. Using logic and data, Marlatt and contributors discuss ways of minimizing the adverse consequences of drug use, including alcohol and tobacco. Added bonuses are that the book contains excellent state-of-the-art reviews of treatment approaches and of the problems and opportunities unique to special populations." --Mark B. Sobell, PhD, ABPP, and Linda C. Sobell, PhD, ABPP, Center for Psychological Studies, NOVA Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
"Harm reduction can address the emergent needs of societies in a rapidly changing 21st century. [This book] is timely, searching for common ground to provide a step-by-step pathway toward practical solutions....The diversity of strategies are placed firmly within the framework of the real world--what any worker in the front lines can do to help empower people, improve their well-being, and reduce their burden on society....Marlatt and colleagues have done an enormous service to humankind by documenting the potential for harm reduction in a straightforward manner." --From the Foreword by David B. Abrams, PhD, Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, Brown University, and David C. Lewis, PhD, Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University
"The volume's subtitle states that the emphasis is pragmatic, strategic, and designed for managing/coping with the broad range of high risk behaviors. It is all that and more! After a strong presentation setting out the basics of the harm-reduction model, Marlatt has selected practical and immediately useful clinical chapters....This should be required reading for all 'frontline' clinicians."--Arthur Freeman, EdD
Review
"Harm reduction is a pragmatic approach that meets people 'where they are at.' This excellent book brings together researchers and practitioners who have made significant contributions to the growth and acceptance of harm reduction as an integral, viable, and effective approach to minimizing the negative consequences of high-risk behaviors. The second edition provides an updated, expanded review of the current status of harm reduction approaches, their applications, and the evidence that supports them. It is a valuable resource for practitioners and researchers and an essential text for graduate students in addictive behaviors, psychology, and public health."--Dennis M. Donovan, PhD, Director, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine "Marlatt and his colleagues have compiled what is certain to be the gold-standard reference, covering the history, evolution, and applications of harm reduction strategies in clinical practice, as well as controversies surrounding harm reduction. Harm reduction is founded on the idea that people are more likely to change risk behaviors when the approaches supporting these changes are intimately client centered/m-/even when such approaches conflict with social mores. The book shows how compassion and safety considerations create a fulcrum for balancing complex clinical decision making that both reduces harm and engages individuals in effective treatment."--Hilary Connery, MD, PhD, Clinical Director, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School
"The original book was a revelation to me; the second edition makes another leap forward. Harm Reduction should be required reading for anyone who wants to understand behavior change. Both professionals and students will benefit from the up-to-date research reviews and practical applications for a variety of high-risk behaviors. Harm reduction principles and strategies offer a crucial counterpoint to the disease model and abstinence-only orientations. The material in this book provides a blueprint for enabling individual and social change."--Jan W. Murdoch, PhD, Department of Psychology, Clemson University
"This eloquent, compassionate book outlines pragmatic ways to identify and reduce high-risk behaviors associated with use of a broad spectrum of drugs, including alcohol, amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, heroin, and tobacco, as well as high-risk sexual behaviors. Tailored strategies designed to meet the needs of diverse cultures and communities are described. This important book is essential reading for workers in the field, and should be compulsory reading for policymakers."--Frank Ryan, CPsychol, AFBPsS, Honorary Senior Lecturer, Centre for Mental Health Research, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
Review
"A very good introductory guide through the often difficult and controversial terrain of harm reduction."--Drug and Alcohol Review
Review
"An extremely important and valuable work....The real impact of this seminal volume is that it makes the case for harm reduction as a powerful model for both treatment and public policy innovations."--Psychiatric Services
Review
"This realistic, pragmatic approach to managing high-risk behaviors is solidly based on research evidence and clear logic."--Choice
Synopsis
Harm reduction principles and strategies are designed to minimize the destructive consequences of illicit drug use and other behaviors that may pose serious health risks. The first major harm reduction text, this provocative and timely volume examines a wide range of current applications¿from needle exchange and methadone maintenance programs, to alternative alcohol interventions and HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns. Insight is also offered into the often contentious philosophical and policy-related debates surrounding this growing movement.
Synopsis
From addictions treatment pioneer G. Alan Marlatt and associates, this is the authoritative work on harm reduction: its principles, strategies, and practical applications. Contributors review programs that have been developed and tested for a range of high-risk behaviors, including problem drinking, tobacco use, illicit drug use, and risky sexual behavior. Flexible, tailored, culturally competent treatment approaches are described for marginalized and underserved communities. The volume also explores philosophical and policy-related debates surrounding this growing movement. New to This Edition *Reflects significant advances in research and clinical practice. *Chapters on the current status of the field, applications to psychotherapy, and treatment of dual disorders. *Chapters on additional populations (adolescent drinkers and Hispanic/Latino and Asian American substance users) and an additional substance (cannabis).
About the Author
G. Alan Marlatt, PhD, until his death in 2011, was Director of the Addictive Behaviors Research Center and Professor of Psychology at the University of Washington. For over 30 years, Dr. Marlatt conducted pioneering work on understanding and preventing relapse in substance abuse treatment and was a leading proponent of the harm reduction approach to treating addictive behaviors. Mary E. Larimer, PhD, is Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the University of Washington, where she is also Associate Director of the Addictive Behaviors Research Center and Director of the Center for the Study of Health and Risk Behaviors. Katie Witkiewitz, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Psychology at Washington State University Vancouver. In August 2012 she will be joining the faculty of the Department of Psychology at the University of New Mexico, with a joint appointment at the Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions.
Table of Contents
I. Overview of Harm Reduction1. Current Status, Historical Highlights, and Basic Principles of Harm Reduction, Susan E. Collins, Seema L. Clifasefi, Diane E. Logan, Laura S. Samples, Julian M. Somers, and G. Alan Marlatt2. Harm Reduction Psychotherapy, Andrew Tatarsky and Scott KelloggII. Areas of Concentration in Harm Reduction3. Harm Reduction for Alcohol Problems, Mary E. Larimer, Tiara M. Dillworth, Clayton Neighbors, Melissa A. Lewis, Heidi D. Montoya, and Diane E. Logan4. Tobacco: Untapped Potential for Harm Reduction, Carl V. Phillips, Karyn K. Heavner, Paul L. Bergen, and Catherine M. Nissen5. Harm Reduction and Cannabis, Roger A. Roffman and Robert S. Stephens6. Reducing Harm Associated with Illicit Drug Use: Opiates, Amphetamines, Cocaine, Steroids, and Other Substances, Jason R. Kilmer, Jessica M. Cronce, Scott B. Hunt, and Christine M. Lee7. Harm Reduction for High-Risk Sexual Behavior and HIV, Michele Peake Andrasik and Ty W. Lostutter8. Redefining the Treatment of Dual Disorders, Patt DenningIII. Harm Reduction and Special Populations9. The Need for Culturally Competent Harm Reduction and Relapse Prevention Interventions for African Americans, Michele Peake Andrasik, Briana Woods, and William H. George10. Harm Reduction among Hispanic and Latino Populations, Arthur W. Blume and Michelle R. Resor11. Harm Reduction for Asian American and Pacific Islander Populations, Karen Chan Osilla, Eunice C. Wong, and Nolan Zane12. Adolescent Alcohol-Related Harm Reduction: Realities, Innovations, and Challenges, Adrian KellyIV. The Role of Harm Reduction in U.S. Drug Control Policy 13. Harm Reduction and Public Policy, Justin Walthers, Kenneth R. Weingardt, Katie Witkiewitz, and G. Alan Marlatt