Webinar Description

Traditional substance use treatment models have historically prioritized abstinence as the solitary goal. However, research and listening to the voices of those with lived experiences have deepened our understanding of the complex relationship individuals have with substance use beginning with their initial exposure to various intervention opportunities. Harm reduction acknowledges this complexity, offering strategies to minimize the risk of mortality and other negative consequences associated with substance use.

More than just a set of interventions, harm reduction is a comprehensive approach and philosophy that values the voices of individuals with lived or living experience. It seeks to improve accessibility to treatment and resources while addressing the stigma surrounding substance use—both in society and within treatment policies and procedures. Rather than an all-or-nothing mindset, harm reduction promotes progress over perfection, empowering people to take steps that work for them while maintaining dignity, respect, and autonomy.

This workshop introduces participants to the harm reduction mindset and how it bridges the treatment gap between full recovery and the process within its core principles and identify some pragmatic ways to integrate harm reduction into their respective settings.

Learning Objectives

At the completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
1. Define Harm Reduction and describe the seven core principles of harm reduction and explore how these can be applied into current service provision.
2. Identify examples of current harm reduction interventions.
3. Explore the impact of stigma on an individual’s positive health outcomes and how a judgment-free approach fosters trust.

Presenter

1. Deana Leber-George

2. Patricia Stoddard- Dare

About PCSS-MOUD

The Providers Clinical Support System for Medications for Opioid Use Disorders (PCSS-MOUD) is a program funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). It is led by the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP) in collaboration with a wide coalition of national professional and healthcare organizations. PCSS-MOUD aims to increase the knowledge and skills of healthcare and counseling professionals about available evidence-based treatment approaches for substance use disorder (SUD) with a particular focus on opioid use disorder (OUD).  PCSS-MOUD provides free training and mentoring to practitioners on the use of medications for OUD (MOUD) and the integration of these services into mainstream health care. For more information on Providers Clinical Support System–Medication for Opioid Use Disorder, please visit the PCSS-MOUD website.

PCSS-MOUD Funder Statement
Funding for this initiative was made possible by cooperative agreement no. 1H79TI086770 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Continuing Education (CE) Statement

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), provider #1163, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. CSWE maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 01/23/2018 - 01/23/2027.