Breaking Down the Harm Reduction and Addiction Treatment Divide

The persistent divide between harm reduction and traditional addiction treatment approaches remains a significant barrier to providing comprehensive care for individuals with substance use disorders. Bridging the divide between harm reduction and traditional addiction treatment is essential for providing comprehensive care to those with substance use disorders. By adopting innovative models like MAPs, MOUD, and Overdose Prevention Centers, and fostering a culture of emotional safety and inclusivity, we can create a treatment landscape that meets the diverse needs of individuals and supports their journey to recovery. 

This presentation, featuring Liz Evans and John Hamilton, aims to bridge this divide by discussing innovative models and examples that effectively engage hard-to-reach populations. The session will emphasize both practical interventions and the cultural shifts needed within treatment teams to foster an emotionally safe environment for clients and staff, ensuring inclusive and effective care. This workshop is aimed at advancing the conversation on integrating harm reduction and traditional addiction treatment and will provide actionable insights and practical examples, including recommended staff training,  to guide organizations in implementing these integrated approaches effectively.  It underscores the need for innovative models and cultural shifts to create a holistic and inclusive approach to substance use disorder treatment while addressing the critical aspects of trauma, human rights, and social justice.