What Is Harm Reduction? 

​

Harm reduction is any behavior or strategy that helps reduce risk or harm to yourself and/or others. 

​

Your harm reduction toolkit could focus on sex, substance use, mental health, etc., but the focus is always on reduction of the risk of harm to yourself and/or others. 

​

Why not just stop what you're doing ... Abstinence? 

​

simply put, for many that shit is just not realistic - periodt. that bottle, needle, pill, dick is the only thing allowing them to cope with life right now, even if deep down they want to alter their behavior, for themselves and/or others.

​

Ok, so How does harm reduction help? 

​

The harm reduction approach values incremental steps. Do what you can, how you can, when you can, and celebrate yourself for both the trying and the doing (::Kris Jenner Voice:: "you're doing great sweety!").

​

additionally, if abstinence or cold stopping a behavior is your choice, that's cool too! But it's your choice, not a condition [of worthiness] to be imposed by yourself, a doctor/therapist, or [treatment] program. 

​

instead of judging, shaming, or punishing yourself, be compassionate and accepting of yourself in this moment - even if you desire to be a different self that you may deem "better". We like to call this, radical self-care!

​

Yea, but what if I just keep doing the same shit - again, and again, and again...?

​

 you/we are human! ... again, for the people in back - you/we are human! 

​

relapse is a natural part of the process of changing behavior and an opportunity for learning behaviors that could prevent future relapses. That whole "it's a journey, not a destination" Thing - Yep! That Part!

​

If you need additional resources, I encourage you to check out my smrtass coaching services and/or visit and support the Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM): beam.community

​