Challenging Modern Perspectives on Addiction and Recovery: Integrating Humanistic and Harm Reduction Modalities

• In Event: Roundtable: Drugs & Substance Abuse

Abstract

The purpose of this roundtable session is to initiate a dialogue that integrates core aspects of humanistic psychology with foundational elements of harm reduction. Specifically, the dialogue will emphasize how the holistic approach essential to humanistic psychology intersects with the harm reduction practice of meeting individuals where they are. Building from this intersection, the dialogue explores themes related to building therapeutic relationships within the context of addiction and recovery, prioritizing empathy while exploring upstream factors related to substance use origins, and the development of trust within common harm reduction practices. Despite positive long-term outcomes attributed to harm reduction (Szalavits, 2021), resistance toward such practices continues to create barriers for those seeking to access such modalities. We contend that such resistance within the context of the criminal justice system stems from a lack of therapeutic relationships which emphasize trust and empathy and fails to be responsive to the totality of harms related to addiction and recovery.

Authors

• Roger Lewis Schaefer, Central Washington University

• Sara Noel Toto, Central Washington University

• David Polizzi, Indiana State University

• Michael John DeValve, Bridgewater State University