The harm reduction mind set is slowly and painstakingly becoming incorporated in several US cities in response to the AIDS epidemic. The purpose of this article is to discuss the harm reduction philosophy, its applications in the area of substance abuse and the relative poverty of harm reduction-driven services in San Diego.
Excessive behaviors occur along a continuum of risk ranging from minimal to extreme .
For example, a moderate drinker is risking less short and long term harm than a chronic binge drinker. Changing addictive behavior is a stepwise process, complete abstinence being the final step. Harm Reductionists advocate abstinence from addictive behaviors as the most sure fire way to reduce harm and enhance well being. However, it is understood that people vary considerably in terms of how much or are willing or able to change at a given time. Further, it is accepted that many individuals simply will not give up addictive habits.