| Outside of the U.S. the concept of "Harm Reduction" is | | | | Overall, the results are clear - almost 58% of those |
| frequently the first step in addressing problems related | | | | classified as alcoholics managed to moderate their |
| to alcohol abuse, dependence or addiction. The | | | | drinking! |
| concept is easy to understand: any reduction in a | | | | How does this fit with the "progressive disease" |
| problem behavior is progress. Put together enough | | | | model? Obviously, it doesn't. But again, what we have |
| reductions and the problem will be eliminated or at least | | | | all observed time after time doesn't fit with that model |
| moderated. | | | | either. |
| While the concept is easy to understand, and the | | | | After all, we all know people who have simply quit |
| results frequently positive, the Harm Reduction model is | | | | drinking or moderated their use for any number of |
| opposed by most of the alcoholism treatment industry | | | | reasons. Many others maintain the same level of |
| in the U.S. because it doesn't support their discredited | | | | drinking for decades, whether that level is healthy, |
| "disease" model. Most of the so-called alcohol rehab | | | | abusive, or dependent. And, yes, we all know individuals |
| providers are wedded to a single 12-Step Minnesota | | | | whose use has progressed to addiction and who |
| Model that holds that alcohol problems are the result of | | | | appear to suffer from something akin to a disease. But |
| an ill-defined disease whose only alternative is | | | | generalizing from this last group to the other 95% of |
| abstinence and a process of life-long recovery. | | | | the alcohol consuming population doesn't make any |
| Research and most people's personal experience, of | | | | sense - nor does it make for services that are either |
| course, supports the Harm Reduction model. | | | | desirable or effective for most people. |
| According to the 2001/02 U.S. National Epidemiologic | | | | It's no wonder that most people are unwilling to look for |
| Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, for | | | | help until their alcohol related problems are far |
| example, more than one-third (36 percent) of U.S. | | | | advanced. Who wants to be diagnosed with an |
| adults with alcohol dependence (alcoholism) that began | | | | incurable, progressive, and demeaning "disease" whose |
| more than one year ago were in full recovery a year | | | | only antidote is said to be life-long "recovering?" |
| later (according to the National Institute on Alcohol | | | | Frankly, the biggest current alcohol problem in the U.S. |
| Abuse and Alcoholism). | | | | is belief in a model that discourages people from |
| The fully recovered individuals show symptoms of | | | | getting help at the onset of their alcohol abuse. That's |
| neither alcohol dependence nor alcohol abuse. They | | | | when it's still a symptom rather than a cause, and |
| either abstain or drink at levels below those known to | | | | usually amenable to correction and a return to healthful |
| increase relapse risk. They include abstainers (18 | | | | moderate levels of consumption. |
| percent) and low-risk, moderate drinkers (18 percent) | | | | The best time to address alcohol problems is sooner, |
| and medium risk, but not dependent, moderate drinkers | | | | not later, and when moderation is still, by far, the likeliest |
| (12 percent). | | | | outcome. Look for help from those providers who |
| One-quarter (25 percent) of the individuals with alcohol | | | | treat you and your situation, not some created |
| dependence are still dependent and 28 percent are in | | | | "disease," and who will help you discover the best |
| partial remission (that is, their use has moderated but is | | | | outcome for you, not sentence you to punishing, |
| still above health enhancing levels). | | | | pre-ordained, and counter-productive rituals. |