Historique
Article de Périodique
What is the role of harm reduction when drug users say they want abstinence? [Commentary] (2011)
Auteur(s) :
J. NEALE ;
S. NETTLETON ;
L. PICKERING
Article en page(s) :
189-193
Refs biblio. :
24
Domaine :
Alcool / Alcohol ; Drogues illicites / Illicit drugs ; Tabac / Tobacco / e-cigarette
Langue(s) :
Anglais
Thésaurus mots-clés
ABSTINENCE
;
REDUCTION DES RISQUES ET DES DOMMAGES
;
CONCEPT
;
DEFINITION
;
USAGER
;
HEROINE
;
TRAITEMENT DE MAINTENANCE
;
REPRESENTATION SOCIALE
;
ETUDE QUALITATIVE
Thésaurus géographique
ROYAUME-UNI
Note générale :
Responses:
- Abstinence and harm reduction: can they work together?, N. McKeganey, p.194-195.
- Rhetoric, reality and research: what they mean for achieving the best possible treatment system for addiction-related problems, P. Miller, A. Dunlop, p.196-197.
- Abstinence and harm reduction: can they work together?, N. McKeganey, p.194-195.
- Rhetoric, reality and research: what they mean for achieving the best possible treatment system for addiction-related problems, P. Miller, A. Dunlop, p.196-197.
Résumé :
Quantitative survey data indicate that most drug users starting treatment want abstinence rather than harm reduction (McKeganey et al., 2004). This finding has been seized upon by those seeking 'evidence' that abstinence is the bedrock of recovery and harm reduction is a negative and oppositional philosophy. However, all research involves questions of meaning, definition and value and an alternative research paradigm and different study design can provide important additional insights into treatment aspirations, including the desire for abstinence. Qualitative interviews conducted with 30 recovering heroin users (15 males and 15 females) in Southern England in 2009 confirm that those starting treatment often report a desire for abstinence. Nonetheless, drug users are frequently uncertain about their ability to achieve this and can have very different and inconsistent understandings of what being abstinent means. We suggest that the work of the critical theorist Habermas (1970, 1991) could improve our understanding of abstinence and is consistent with recent efforts to achieve a working definition of recovery. Importantly, our qualitative data also reveal that drug users have treatment aspirations that extend far beyond their drug consumption. They additionally want to improve relationships, engage in meaningful activities, acquire material possessions, and achieve better mental and physical health. Moreover, these broader life goals are often inextricably linked to their drug taking. From this, we conclude that both abstinence and harm reduction discourses should more routinely prioritise the many diverse ‘wellness’ goals that so clearly motivate treatment clients. The harm reduction field will then likely find that it has more in common with abstinence-oriented services and the broader recovery agenda than it might otherwise have imagined.
Affiliation :
School of Health and Social Care, Oxford Brookes University, Marston, Oxford, UK