Practicing Harm Reduction Psychotherapy: An Alternative Approach to Addictions

Demonstrating that traditional approaches to addictions fall short for many substance abusers with psychological problems, this book shows how effective therapeutic work can be conducted with clients still using alcohol or other drugs. For the first time, the goals and methods of harm reduction are incorporated into a comprehensive psychotherapeutic approach - one that can be initiated without waiting for, or insisting on, abstinence. Clinicians learn concrete strategies for assessing the client's personality, behaviors, and resources; enhancing motivation for change; making collaborative treatment decisions; and implementing a range of different interventions.

Table of Contents:
Part I: Overview of Harm Reduction Psychotherapy. What Is Harm Reduction? The Development of Harm Reduction Psychotherapy. Part II: Harm Reduction Psychotherapy in Action. The Treatment Program: Assessment as Treatment. Treatment Design: How to Think about a Case. Clinical Cases Using Harm Reduction Psychotherapy. Dual- and Multidiagnosis Patients. Part III: Integrating the New with the Old. Harm Reduction Psychotherapy: Applications and Adjustments. Appendices: Overview of Psychoactive Drugs. References for Specific Drug Effects. History of Drugs and Attitudes toward Them. Self-Help Reading List. Alternative Self-Help and Professional Resources. Specific Treatment Modalities/ Techniques.

About the Author :
Patt Denning, PhD, is Director of Clinical Services and Training at the Harm Reduction Therapy Center, San Francisco. Widely recognized as an expert on drug treatment and dual diagnosis, she is one of the main developers of harm reduction psychotherapy.

Review :
'An essential tool for the modern practitioner who treats any patient using drugs.' -Addiction 'This is a great book that has radical reform implications for treating drug users and addicts... This is a very important book, providing new ways of looking at things in an area where there is a lot of pessimism.'-American Journal of Psychiatry'This text is written primarily for general psychotherapists wishing to add substance abuse treatment to their practice. It would also be useful in training graduate students in the integration of addictions treatment into everyday clinical practice-a useful skill to possess given the high rates of addictive disorders in the general population... Provides clinicians, educators and graduate students with a practical approach to treating addictions in the context of other mental health issues.'-Journal of Studies on Alcohol 'Harm reduction has been recognized as an evidence-based practice component, and Patt Denning's book provides social work students an alternative view of substance abuse and recovery. The book's emphasis on reducing the harm of substance abuse is a long overdue alternative to the disease approach. In addition, it is consistent with a strengths perspective as it emphasizes progress over pathology.'-Tom Broffman, Eastern Connecticut State University, USA