An Alcohol Harm Reduction
Self-Help Manual
H
A
from
M
Harm
Moderate
alcohol
reduction Abstinence drinking
Copyright © 2010
The HAMS Harm Reduction Network
S
Support
group
How to Change Your Drinking:
a Harm Reduction Guide to Alcohol
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Author: Kenneth Anderson
Preface: Alan Marlatt PhD
Introduction: Patt Denning PhD
Edition: 2nd
List Price: $17.00
ISBN: 145383060X
Page Count: 290
Binding Type: US Trade Paper
Trim Size: 8" x 10"
Publication Date: Oct 05 2010
Language: English
Color: Black and White
Why Do We Need
Harm Reduction
for Alcohol?
• Contrasting the different types of
programs
• Moderate drinking programs
• Abstinence-only programs
• The alcohol harm reduction
approach
Moderate drinking
programs
• Moderate drinking programs are aimed at
people with mild to moderate drinking
problems
• Moderate drinking programs have strict
drinking limits (e.g. the NIAAA recommends a
limit of 14 beers per week for men and 7 for
women) – they do not allow for alcohol
intoxication
• Moderate drinking programs recommend that
more severe problem drinkers or people who
cannot maintain moderate limits seek an
abstinence-only approach
Outcomes
• Moderate drinking programs tend to have a
good success rate with mild to moderate
problem drinkers
• Abstinence-only programs are a good fit for
the people who choose them
• However, the NIAAA tells us that only 7% of
people with an alcohol problem will seek
treatment, and studies show that 2/3s of
people drop out of 12 step treatment
• WHAT ABOUT EVERYBODY ELSE?
• DO WE SAY “ABSTAIN OR DIE”?
• The most appropriate approach for people
who are failed by abstinence-only approaches
or moderate drinking programs is a harm
reduction approach
• The more alcohol-related problems a person
has, the greater the need for harm reduction –
just as the more needles a person uses, the
more the person needs clean needles
• The same type of compassionate and
pragmatic strategies used in harm reduction
programs for drugs can be used for harm
reduction for alcohol
Harm Reduction
and Intoxication
• A harm reduction approach to alcohol does
not condemn recreational intoxication as a
moral failing nor does it view recreational
intoxication as a “disease”
• A harm reduction approach to alcohol
recognizes that some people choose to get
intoxicated because they receive certain
benefits from doing so
• A harm reduction approach to alcohol seeks
to minimize risks associated with alcohol use
and alcohol intoxication
The HAMS Program
• The HAMS program supports goals of safer
drinking, reduced drinking, or quitting alcohol
altogether
• HAMS encourages individuals to pick goals
which they feel are right for them and doable
• HAMS encourages individuals to prioritize
goals and eliminate the riskiest behaviors
first
• HAMS offers 17 optional elements which can
be done in any order and a harm reduction
toolbox to help people build their own
individualized harm reduction programs
The 17 Elements of HAMS
• 1. Do a Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) of your drinking
• 2. Choose a drinking goal--safer drinking, reduced
drinking, or quitting
• 3. Learn about risk ranking and rank your risks
• 4. Learn about the HAMS tools and strategies for
changing your drinking
• 5. Make a plan to achieve your drinking goal
• 6. Use alcohol-free time to reset your drinking habits
• 7. Learn to cope without booze
• 8. Address outside issues that affect drinking
• 9. Learn to have fun without booze
• 10. Learn to believe in yourself
• 11. Use a chart to plan and track your drinks and
drinking behaviors day by day
• 12. Evaluate your progress - honestly report struggles revise plans or goals as needed
• 13. Practice damage control as needed
• 14. Get back on the horse
• 15. Graduating from HAMS, sticking around, or coming
back
• 16. Praise yourself for every success!!
• 17. Move at your own pace--you don't have to do it all
at once
My Drinking Goal Worksheet
Sample Drinking Goal Worksheet
The Harm Reduction
Pyramid
Risk Ranking Worksheets
Drinking Plan Worksheets
Blank Drinking Chart
Sample Drinking Chart
Sample Tools
from the Toolbox
• Cognitive Behavioral tools for abstinence or harm
reduction
• What causes blackouts and how to avoid them
• What causes alcohol withdrawal and how to avoid it
• Safe tapering information
• Cannabis substitution for alcohol dependence
• Dealing with a spouse’s drinking from a harm reduction
perspective
• Limiting cash to reduce drinking
• Drinking at home to avoid alcohol related problems
Thank
You!