Duane Osterlind, LMFT
Duane Osterlind, LMFT
89: The Harm Reduction Network with Kenneth Anderson
89: The Harm Reduction Network with Kenneth Anderson
89: The Harm Reduction Network with Kenneth Anderson
Friday 28th February 2020
Kenneth Anderson explains harm reduction for addiction treatment, focusing on flexible and compassionate support on The Addicted Mind Podcast.
32 minutes
Informative
Hopeful
Compassionate
Encouraging
Thought-provoking
About this podcast
Author:
Duane Osterlind, LMFT
Overview:
Categories:
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Sobriety Toolkit
Recovery from Trauma
Family Recovery from Addiction
Navigating Intimate Relationships
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Episodes:
231 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Kenneth Anderson: Rethinking Addiction Treatment with Harm Reduction
The harm reduction model recognizes that people are going to use drugs or alcohol no matter what we do, and it aims to reduce harm and improve overall well-being.
Kenneth Anderson from HAMS (Harm Reduction Abstinence and Moderation Support) joins Duane Osterlind on this episode of The Addicted Mind Podcast to shake up the traditional views on addiction treatment. Kenneth, the founder and CEO of the Harm Reduction Network, introduces listeners to the concept of harm reduction—a model that meets people where they are, whether they want to drink less, drink more safely, or quit altogether.
Unlike the rigid abstinence-only models, harm reduction offers a flexible, compassionate approach to making positive changes in one's drinking habits. Anderson explains that harm reduction isn't about forcing people to give up substances entirely. Instead, it's about reducing the negative impacts of substance use and improving overall well-being. For those not ready or willing to embrace total abstinence, this approach provides a way to make meaningful progress in their lives.
The episode dives into how harm reduction works in practice, including the role of support groups that are non-judgmental and adaptable to individual needs. Kenneth's own journey with alcohol and his development of the HAMS program highlight the importance of meeting people where they are in their recovery journey. With seventeen optional elements that can be tackled in any order, the HAMS program offers a personalized path to better health.
The conversation also explores the history of addiction treatment, contrasting harsh and often ineffective methods of the past with today's more humane and evidence-based approaches. If you or someone you care about is grappling with addiction but isn't ready for complete abstinence, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on how harm reduction can support positive change.