"This realistic, pragmatic approach to managing high-risk behaviors is solidly based on research evidence and clear logic."
"Harm reduction is a pragmatic approach that meets people 'where they are at.' This excellent book brings together researchers and practitioners who have made significant contributions to the growth and acceptance of harm reduction as an integral, viable, and effective approach to minimizing the negative consequences of high-risk behaviors. The second edition provides an updated, expanded review of the current status of harm reduction approaches, their applications, and the evidence that supports them. It is a valuable resource for practitioners and researchers and an essential text for graduate students in addictive behaviors, psychology, and public health."—Dennis M. Donovan, PhD, Director, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine
"Marlatt and his colleagues have compiled what is certain to be the gold-standard reference, covering the history, evolution, and applications of harm reduction strategies in clinical practice, as well as controversies surrounding harm reduction. Harm reduction is founded on the idea that people are more likely to change risk behaviors when the approaches supporting these changes are intimately client centered/m-/even when such approaches conflict with social mores. The book shows how compassion and safety considerations create a fulcrum for balancing complex clinical decision making that both reduces harm and engages individuals in effective treatment."—Hilary S. Connery, MD, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School; Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, McLean Hospital "The original book was a revelation to me; the second edition makes another leap forward. Harm Reduction should be required reading for anyone who wants to understand behavior change. Both professionals and students will benefit from the up-to-date research reviews and practical applications for a variety of high-risk behaviors. Harm reduction principles and strategies offer a crucial counterpoint to the disease model and abstinence-only orientations. The material in this book provides a blueprint for enabling individual and social change."—Jan W. Murdoch, PhD, Department of Psychology, Clemson University"This eloquent, compassionate book outlines pragmatic ways to identify and reduce high-risk behaviors associated with use of a broad spectrum of drugs, including alcohol, amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, heroin, and tobacco, as well as high-risk sexual behaviors. Tailored strategies designed to meet the needs of diverse cultures and communities are described. This important book is essential reading for workers in the field, and should be compulsory reading for policymakers."—Frank Ryan, CPsychol, AFBPsS, Honorary Senior Lecturer, Centre for Mental Health Research, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
"A very good introductory guide through the often difficult and controversial terrain of harm reduction."
This realistic, pragmatic approach to managing high-risk behaviors is solidly based on research evidence and clear logic.—Choice Reviews(on the first edition)
While acknowledging the controversial nature of many of the strategies offered, the authors support them with well-reasoned arguments and provide extensive reviews of the relevant research.—Science Books & Films (on the first edition)
3 Stars from Doody
This is a comprehensive presentation of harm reduction as a public health strategy for specific behavioral and addictive problems. Harm reduction has emerged as an important weapon in the war against addictive and otherwise unhealthy behaviors in many parts of the world, and now in the U.S. as well. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the roots of the harm reduction movement before examining its usefulness in addressing a variety of high-risk behaviors involving alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use, as well as in the control of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. A wide audience will find this book of value. Students, professionals, researchers, policy makers, and others interested in harm reduction will find both a broad treatment of the subject and very specific insights into its application for various health problems. This book addresses its subject matter in a straightforward yet provocative manner. First, it establishes the state of the art in the U.S., and then reviews the historical development of harm reduction in other societies that have more quickly embraced harm reduction policies. Approaches and interventions are presented examining harm reduction strategies for control of the adverse effects of alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, and unprotected sexual activity. Issues of harm reduction in vulnerable populations are also discussed leading full circle to a final chapter on the current status of harm reduction and public policy. Other than a somewhat tedious opening chapter, the various elements of the book work well together. Overall, this is an important contribution to the public health and public policy literature. However, the very nature ofharm reduction as a non-judgmental, value neutral approach to addictive and otherwise high-risk behaviors brings it into conflict with the predominant moral beliefs of most policy makers and much of the general public in the U.S. It is precisely for this thoughtful and provocative treatment of some highly controversial topics that this book is recommended.
Harm reduction is an approach to the management of substance abuse and other problem behaviors which seeks to help clients understand risks involved in their behavior and make decisions about their own treatment goals. Explains the rationale of the harm reduction model and examines a range of applications in diverse populations. Insight is also offered into philosophical and policy-related debates surrounding harm reduction. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.
Reviewer: Bernard J. Turnock, MD, MPH (University of Illinois at Chicago)
Description: This is a comprehensive presentation of harm reduction as a public health strategy for specific behavioral and addictive problems.
Purpose: Harm reduction has emerged as an important weapon in the war against addictive and otherwise unhealthy behaviors in many parts of the world, and now in the U.S. as well. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the roots of the harm reduction movement before examining its usefulness in addressing a variety of high-risk behaviors involving alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use, as well as in the control of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Audience: A wide audience will find this book of value. Students, professionals, researchers, policy makers, and others interested in harm reduction will find both a broad treatment of the subject and very specific insights into its application for various health problems.
Features: This book addresses its subject matter in a straightforward yet provocative manner. First, it establishes the state of the art in the U.S., and then reviews the historical development of harm reduction in other societies that have more quickly embraced harm reduction policies. Approaches and interventions are presented examining harm reduction strategies for control of the adverse effects of alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, and unprotected sexual activity. Issues of harm reduction in vulnerable populations are also discussed leading full circle to a final chapter on the current status of harm reduction and public policy. Other than a somewhat tedious opening chapter, the various elements of the book work well together.
Assessment: Overall, this is an important contribution to the public health and public policy literature. However, the very nature of harm reduction as a non-judgmental, value neutral approach to addictive and otherwise high-risk behaviors brings it into conflict with the predominant moral beliefs of most policy makers and much of the general public in the U.S. It is precisely for this thoughtful and provocative treatment of some highly controversial topics that this book is recommended.
