Harm Reduction

Harm Reduction​

What is Harm Reduction?

  • Harm reduction is the idea that we can't always be perfectly abstinent monks, living in a monastery with no temptation and always doing the right thing. We may make mistakes or engage in risky behavior, but your doctor can help you do that in as safe a way as possible.

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Drug Use

  • Using drugs can be a dangerous thing, and while some of these dangers can be minimized, others can be avoided altogether by following some simple rules.

  • Do your best not to use alone. Have someone you trust nearby if possible to watch after you.

  • If you're using opioids (heroin, oxycodone, fentanyl, etc.) or are around others who are, familiarize yourself with Narcan!

  • Get Narcan (Naloxone) and when in doubt, do the following:

    • If you find someone you think has overdosed, call 9-1-1

    • Use the Narcan (Naloxone) you have. Follow the instructions for the kind that you have.

    • After giving Narcan, give rescue breaths. Give 1 breath every 5 seconds

    • Stay until help arrives

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Smoking

  • Cutting down on smoking is hard. There are many things your doc can do to help you with your quitting, but even if you can't stop entirely, there are ways to do less harm to your body by making little changes.

  • Cutting back from 20 cigarettes to 19, stubbing them out after one satisfying puff instead of smoking them to the nub, and quitting for 2 days before going back to smoking are ALL better than continuing to smoke continuously. Make your progress in any way you can, until eventually you'll be ready to quit entirely!

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Drinking

  • January 6th, 1678 Thomas Lucas was found dead in a local ditch, and became the first Plymouth settler whose death was officially linked to alcohol. This is NOT a new thing!

  • Drinking can be a normal and healthy behavior, that enhances a good time among friends.

  • When it interferes with your job, your life, or your family then it can be a problem however.

  • For women, doctors recommend two or fewer drinks per day. For men, doctors recommend three or fewer.

  • There are medicines which your doctor can prescribe to help with urges to drink if you want to quit, but even if you don't you should be safe!

    • NEVER drink and drive. No matter how short the distance, call a cab, an Uber, or a Lyft. Get a designated driver or walk, but don't risk hurting yourself or others by getting behind the wheel!​

    • Don't mix alcohol with certain medications. Opioids (pain-killers like Percocet, Norco, Oxycodone) and Benzodiazepines (anxiety medications such as Ativan, Xanax, Klonipin) can slow your breathing on their own, and adding a depressant like alcohol can push things to a dangerous degree