Articles

Harm reduction approaches save lives, and United States Army Veterans need help. Returning from service, Veterans face a myriad of challenges. For example, they suffer from the invisible wounds of war, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain. Hence, it is not surprising that veterans turn to prescription painkillers and opioid use disorder as an easy escape. Hoping to cope with their physical and psychological pain, veterans open the door to substance use disorders (SUD). In some cases, the tragic result is a fatal opioid overdose.

To address this critical issue, implementing harm reduction is essential. As a provider of SUD Treatment Services for Veterans, Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC) understands the challenge. By shifting the focus from punishment to support and education, harm reduction offers a pragmatic approach to reducing the adverse effects of opioid abuse in veterans. By reducing opioid abuse, you also reduce the incidences of fatal overdoses.

Harm Reduction Approaches and Stigma

Harm reduction is a public health approach aimed at minimizing the negative consequences associated with drug use. Instead of solely focusing on abstinence, harm reduction approaches focus on wholeness and well-being. By reducing the potential harms associated with substance use disorders, such approaches save lives. Still, the stigma against harm reduction remains challenging.

In the context of veterans struggling with painkiller abuse and opioid overdoses, harm reduction strategies offer a compassionate and pragmatic solution. Moreover, two fundamental pillars of harm reduction are education and awareness. For example, many veterans may not fully understand the risks associated with substance use. After receiving a comprehensive education on the effects of opioids, the dangers of overdose, and harm reduction techniques, veterans make better choices about their health and well-being.

Access to Treatment and Harm Reduction Approaches

For the clinical team at TTC, harm reduction approaches include access to evidence-based treatment and support services. Beyond addressing stigma, such approaches offer help that veterans need. Unfortunately, many veterans face barriers to accessing these services.

From stigma to a lack of resources, veterans often feel like a forgotten population. By popularizing harm reduction approaches, we can bridge this gap. At TTC, we offer accessible and nonjudgmental treatment services, such as Therapeutic Support, One-On-One Counseling, MAT Services, and Peer Support Groups. Moreover, these treatment services are available in outpatient, residential, and in-patient detox settings.

Harm Reduction and Medications for Addiction Treatment

At TTC, harm reduction approaches are connected to the cutting-edge use of Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT). Known as MAT Services, these harm reduction approaches help veterans recover from substance use disorders. Hence, a key element is the reduction of withdrawal symptoms and discomfort. By using harm reduction approaches like MAT Services in treatment, TTC significantly improves successful recovery outcomes.

Moreover, peer support programs leverage veterans’ unique experiences to support those facing similar challenges. These programs offer a point of identification by connecting veterans with peers who have successfully navigated recovery. Hence, peer support programs reduce the stigma against MAT Services and harm reduction approaches. Peer support is a powerful tool that opens the door to long-term recovery and resilience among veterans.

Harm Reduction Approaches and Saving Lives

In a study about veterans and harm reduction published in The National Library of Medicine, firm conclusions support this approach. The conclusion of the study expresses the following:

“Many of the barriers identified in this formative study may be addressed using evidence-based implementation strategies. Additional research is needed to identify implementation strategies that are effective for addressing stigma, which is perceived to be a persistent challenge to the provision of integrated harm reduction services.”

Without question, the root causes of SUD issues among veterans require systemic change at the policy level. At TTC, we believe change must happen one veteran at a time. After all, these men and women put their lives on the line to defend their country. Hence, upon returning home, they deserve the very best in mental health and SUD support. If harm reduction approaches save the lives of veterans, then such approaches make sense. We must prioritize implementing these strategies to honor the sacrifices of those who have served our country.