How does harm reduction work in behavioral addiction therapy?

How does harm reduction work in behavioral addiction therapy?

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In the harm reduction model, again, anything in a positive direction is seen as positive. There is nothing in harm reduction that doesn't suggest that abstinence might be good, but it's not necessarily a criteria. When you walk into a treatment center and it's not harm reduction based, you're asked to become abstinent immediately. There is no conceptualization of anything short of 100% stopping. In the harm reduction model, reducing the amount, frequency, the dangerousness of the method you're using to obtain your drug or whatever it may be, it's seen as progress. It unfolds, and you may stop treatment well before you achieve complete abstinence, and that's alright.