So glad you came! Harm reduction therapy in community settings

Little, Jeannie; Franskoviak, Perri

doi:10.1002/jclp.20673

Cited by 16 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 11 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Informal virtual spotting networks have been previously studied [ 40 ]; these networks target both individual-level influences of overdose risk behavior (e.g., boredom, isolation) as well as institutional-level influences by disseminating harm reduction resources even during service disruptions [ 41 ]. Furthermore, given the influence of depression and anxiety on overdose risk behaviors, current findings indicate a need for more robust integration of mental health services, including low threshold, trauma-informed therapeutic environments in settings that serve PWUD, as well as contingency plans for mental health resources to minimize disruptions to service [ 42 , 43 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-level influences on increased overdose risk behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic among people who use drugs in Rhode Island: a qualitative investigation

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected structurally vulnerable populations including people who use drugs (PWUD). Increased overdose risk behaviors among PWUD during the pandemic have been documented, with research underscoring the role of influencing factors such as isolation and job loss in these behaviors. Here, we use qualitative methods to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and pandemic-related response measures on drug use behaviors in a sample of PWUD in Rhode Island. Using a social-ecological framework, we highlight the nested, interactive levels of the pandemic’s influence on increased overdose risk behaviors. Methods From July to October 2021, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 PWUD who self-reported any increase in behaviors associated with overdose risk (e.g., increased use, change in drug type and/or more solitary drug use) relative to before the pandemic. Thematic analysis was conducted using a codebook with salient themes identified from interview guides and those that emerged through close reading of transcribed interviews. Guided by a social-ecological framework, themes were grouped into individual, network, institutional, and policy-level influences of the pandemic on drug use behaviors. Results Individual-level influences on increased overdose risk behaviors included self-reported anxiety and depression, isolation and loneliness, and boredom. Network-level influences included changes in local drug supply and changes in social network composition specific to housing. At the institutional level, drug use patterns were influenced by reduced access to harm reduction or treatment services. At the policy level, increased overdose risk behaviors were related to financial changes, job loss, and business closures. All participants identified factors influencing overdose risk behaviors that corresponded to several nested social-ecological levels. Conclusions Participants identified multi-level influences of the COVID-19 pandemic and pandemic-related response measures on their drug use behavior patterns and overdose risk. These findings suggest that effective harm reduction during large-scale crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, must address several levels of influence concurrently.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-level influences on increased overdose risk behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic among people who use drugs in Rhode Island: a qualitative investigation

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Lastly, and importantly, current HIV screening for PWID is suboptimal (58%) and needs to be improved. Approaches to improve screening rates might include expanding harm reduction services which provide 'user friendly services' and work to reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination while stressing the importance of confidentiality [21, [56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63]. Likewise, increased state and local funding for community-based programs (including SSPs) which provide multiple services including access to substance use disorder treatment programs, MTP and access to mental health services for both PWID clients and family might improve HIV testing rates especially in low-resource settings [9,[63][64][65][66][67][68].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identifying Which Place Characteristics are Associated with the Odds of Recent HIV Testing in a Large Sample of People Who Inject Drugs in 19 US Metropolitan Areas

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This exploratory analysis investigates relationships of place characteristics to HIV testing among people who inject drugs (PWID). We used CDC's 2012 National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) data among PWID from 19 US metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs); we restricted the analytic sample to PWID self-reporting being HIV negative (N = 7477). Administrative data were analyzed to describe the 1. Sociodemographic Composition; 2. Economic disadvantage; 3. Healthcare Service/Law enforcement; and 4. HIV burden of the ZIP codes, counties, and MSAs where PWID lived. Multilevel models tested associations of place characteristics with HIV testing. Fifty-eight percent of PWID reported past-year testing. MSA-level per capita correctional expenditures were positively associated with recent HIV testing among black PWID, but not white PWID. Higher MSA-level household income and imbalanced sex ratios (more women than men) in the MSA were associated with higher odds of testing. HIV screening for PWID is suboptimal (58%) and needs improvement. Identifying place characteristics associated with testing among PWID can strengthen service allocation and interventions in areas of need to increase access to HIV testing.

show abstract

“…These articles range from position pieces promoting harm reduction philosophy as something aligned with our values (Bigler 2005;Brocato and Wagner 2003;Lushin and Anastas 2011;Macmaster 2004;Reid 2002;Seiger 2003;Straussner 2012;van Wormer 2004) to empirical outcome studies of the approach in various settings (Davis et al 2014;Karoll 2010;Mancini et al 2008;Witkiewitz 2005). In addition, social workers have published articles relating to harm reduction in other professional journals (Henwood et al 2014;Lee et al 2011;Little 2006, Little andFranskoviak 2010;Little et al 2008).…”

Section: Harm Reduction and Social Work: Natural Partnersmentioning

confidence: 96%

Starting Where the Client Is: Harm Reduction Guidelines for Clinical Social Work Practice

Vakharia

Little

2016

Clin Soc Work J

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Harm reduction has gradually entered social work discourse and is now seen as a promising approach for treating individuals with drug and alcohol problems. However, beyond statements and data supporting the utility of a harm reduction approach, few guidelines for clinical practice have been detailed in the social work literature. This lack of concrete detail regarding how harm reduction is actually practiced limits the potential implementation of the model into day-to-day clinical work. This article reiterates that harm reduction is a viable approach to clinical social work practice with individuals who have drug-and alcohol-related problems and for whom traditional approaches may be inappropriate. It focuses on harm reduction therapy as an emerging treatment model that can be implemented by clinical social workers and mentalhealth and substance use treatment providers. The article identifies and elaborates several basic tenets that can be incorporated into clinical social work. It is hoped that social workers who learn how harm reduction is implemented in clinical practice will be more apt to incorporate its principles into their work.

show abstract

So glad you came! Harm reduction therapy in community settings

Cited by 16 publications

References 11 publications

Multi-level influences on increased overdose risk behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic among people who use drugs in Rhode Island: a qualitative investigation

Multi-level influences on increased overdose risk behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic among people who use drugs in Rhode Island: a qualitative investigation

Identifying Which Place Characteristics are Associated with the Odds of Recent HIV Testing in a Large Sample of People Who Inject Drugs in 19 US Metropolitan Areas

Starting Where the Client Is: Harm Reduction Guidelines for Clinical Social Work Practice

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About