What are the implications of harm reduction ideologies for the future of substance use disorder treatment? A review of the literature A review of the literature does not reveal a clear definition of harm reduction. Most experts agree, however, that the main goal of harm reduction strategies is to reduce the health, social and economic consequences associated with alcohol and drug use. Implicitly or explicitly, complete abstinence is the goal of the vast majority of substance abuse service providers (MacMaster, 2004). While harm reduction strategies value total abstention from the use of addictive substances, the approach encompasses a broad range of goals not limited to abstinence. The harm reduction model employs strategies to extend the reach of treatment to substance users for whom abstinence-oriented treatment may not be appropriate. When people are unwilling or unable to embrace abstinence, alternatives to abstinence-based treatment have been shown to increase the well-being of both individuals and communities. This literature review evaluates whether the practice of harm reduction strategies is a promising alternative to traditional substance abuse interventions that employ abstinence-oriented strategies by addressing the following:1. What is harm reduction?2. Damage related to drugs and alcohol.3. Harm reduction interventions.4. Criticisms of Harm Reduction Together, traditional substance abuse services and harm reduction approaches can be incorporated to provide a complete sequence of care: from safer substance use to reduced use to maintenance of drug use. total abstinence. What is harm reduction? A review of the literature on the term "harm reduction" reveals that there is no universal definition. The concept... at the center of the article... in Addictions, 11(1), 96-100. doi: 10.1080/1533256X.2011.546205 MacMaster, S. (2004). Harm reduction: A new perspective on substance abuse services. Social Work, 49(3), 356-63. Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2055/docview/215270642/fulltext?accountid=7113Pauly, B. (2008). Harm reduction through the lens of social justice. International Journal of Drug Policy, 19(1), 4-10. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2007.11.005Rosenberg, H., & Phillips, K. T. (2003). Acceptability and availability of harm reduction interventions for drug abuse in American substance abuse treatment agencies. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 17(3), 203-210. doi: 10.1037/0893-164X.17.3.203 Tatarsky, A. & Marlatt, G. (2010). State of the art in harm reduction psychotherapy: An emerging treatment for substance abuse. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 66(2), 117-122. doi: 10.1002/jclp.20672