There are ways you can stay safer and healthier if you choose to use. And you are worth it! At the HaRRT Center, we have compiled and are scientifically testing the following safer-use strategies and general information for alcohol, stimulants, depressants, cannabis and nicotine. Please contact us if you have questions about these tips.
Evidence-based safer alcohol-use tips:
Safer Use Alcohol
Using uppers or stimulants (meth, crystal, cocaine, crack)?
Safer Use Stimulants
Using downers/depressants (opioids like heroin, fentanyl, oxys or benzos or barbituates)?
Safer Use Depressants
Using cannabis?
Smoking or vaping nicotine? Here’s some real talk on safer nicotine use.
Safer Use Nicotine
- Always try to use around other people you trust. They can give you rescue breathing or naloxone if you need it. http://stopoverdose.org/section/learn-about-overdose/#whattodo
- Carry and be sure your friends carry the rescue drug, naloxone (Narcan). You can get it from many pharmacies here in WA State as well as from scripts from your doctor or from needle and syringe exchanges. Here’s a list of ways to get it: http://stopoverdose.org/section/find-naloxone-near-you/
- Test your dose before you use it by getting urine testing strips for fentanyl or other substances and dipping the strip into the cooked dose. Ask about drug testing strips here: http://www.peoplesharmreductionalliance.org/, and buy them in bulk here: https://dancesafe.org/shop/
- Test your dose by shooting just a little tester first until you know if it’s your usual. You can snort a tiny bit instead, but please be aware that snorting can also lead to overdose, so be sure it’s a small amount.
And here are some additional resources — websites, self-help books, and treatment manuals — in case you want to do more in-depth reading. Happy safer use!
*Websites
- HaRRT Center Website
- stopoverdose.org
- The People’s Harm Reduction Alliance
- Next Distro (mail order harm reduction supplies and information)
- Never Use Alone (phone support)
- King County Needle Exchange
- National Harm Reduction Coalition
- Harm Reduction International
- The Center for Harm Reduction Therapy
- Drug Policy Alliance
- The Chicago Recovery Alliance
- Harm Reduction, Abstinence, and Moderation Support
How to find treatment in WA state? https://www.warecoveryhelpline.org/
In an emergency, call 911. If you are experiencing suicidal ideation, call 988.
*Are you someone who uses substances and want to read self-help literature? Check out these resources.
- Anderson, K.A. (2010). How to change your drinking: A harm reduction guide to alcohol (2nd edition). New York: The HAMS Network
- Denning, P., Little, J., & Glickman, A. (Eds.). (2017). Over the influence: The harm reduction guide to controlling your drug and alcohol (Second edition). New York: The Guilford Press
- Getting off right: A safety manual for injection drug users. (2011) New York: Harm Reduction Coalition
- Harm Reduction Coalition (2017)
*Are you a counselor, clinician or case manager and want access to literature on harm reduction approaches and psychotherapy? Check out these resources.
- Collins, S. E., & Clifasefi, S. L. (2023). Harm Reduction Treatment for Substance Use. Hogrefe Publishing GmbH.
- Denning, P. & Little, J. (2012). Practicing harm reduction psychotherapy: An alternative approach to addictions (2nd edition). New York: Guilford Press.
- Marlatt, G. A., Witkiewitz, K., Larimer, M.E. (2011). Harm reduction: Pragmatic strategies for managing high-risk behaviors (2nd edition). New York: Guilford Press.
- Marlatt, G. A. (1996). Harm reduction: Come as you are. Addictive Behaviors, 21, 779-788.
- Stout, D. D. (2009). Coming to harm reduction kicking and screaming: Looking for harm reduction in a 12-step world. Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse.
- Tartarsky, A. (2002). Harm reduction psychotherapy: A new treatment for drug and alcohol problems. Plymouth, UK: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.