What is Harm Reduction Psychotherapy?
Harm Reduction Psychotherapy (HRP) is an innovative treatment developed by Dr. Patt Denning for people with alcohol and other drug problems. Unlike the traditional disease model of addiction, HRP uses a biopsychosocial model to understand the complexities of drug use, abuse, and addiction. In other words, we do not believe that addiction is the primary issue. Rather, it is an interactive phenomenon in which the relative weight of biology, psychology and social factors varies for each person and for each drug he or she uses. HRP allows us to assess each person individually and to plan treatment that is tailored to the individual’s relationship with alcohol and other drugs. It also allows us to incorporate other important problems: emotional disorders, family problems, social alienation, and medical complications. We discuss all of these important issues right at the start, without the client having to focus solely on their alcohol or drug problem. Most unique to this approach, clients d
“The term Harm Reduction Therapy (HRT) has been coined to refer to the several treatment models that are currently being developed and tested in the United States and around the world. These harm reduction treatment models can be used in outpatient settings, residential treatment, homeless programs, traditional drug treatment programs, medical services, community outreach programs among other service delivery settings. Harm Reduction Therapy (HRT) is based on the belief that alcohol and drug problems including substance abuse and dependence develop in individuals through a unique interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors. HRT is a non-judgmental approach to helping people experiencing alcohol and drug problems to reduce the negative impact of substance use, abuse or dependence in their lives. Harm Reduction Therapy understands that people use alcohol and drugs for a variety of reasons.
“The term Harm Reduction Therapy (HRT) has been coined to refer to the several treatment models that are currently being developed and tested in the United States and around the world. These harm reduction treatment models can be used in outpatient settings, residential treatment, homeless programs, traditional drug treatment programs, medical services, community outreach programs among other service delivery settings. Harm Reduction Therapy (HRT) is based on the belief that alcohol and drug problems including substance abuse and dependence develop in individuals through a unique interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors. HRT is a non-judgmental approach to helping people experiencing alcohol and drug problems to reduce the negative impact of substance use, abuse or dependence in their lives. HRT understands that people use alcohol and drugs for a variety of reasons. It addresses the complex relationship that people develop with these psychoactive substances over the
