Overview of harm reduction in alcohol use

Offer harm reduction measures to everyone with a disorder of alcohol use. Measures to consider in any disorder of substance use are outlined in Interventions by clinicians for harm reduction in substance use and addictive behaviours. Issues specific to alcohol use include:

• thiamine supplementation
• managing organ damage—see Management of complications of alcohol use.

../Overview-of-substance-use-and-addictive-behaviours/c_AMG_Overview-of-substance-use-and-addictive-behaviours_topic_28.html#c_AMG_Overview-of-substance-use-and-addictive-behaviours_topic_28__table-3187 is a printable patient information sheet on ways to get help and reduce harm from use of alcohol and other drugs.

In some states and territories, sobering-up centres (to supervise people who are intoxicated) are an additional harm reduction measure. Managed alcohol programs are being trialled; they provide regulated amounts of alcohol in a hostel setting to people with severe alcohol dependence who are homeless.

A nonjudgemental approach to harm reduction can help to maintain a therapeutic relationship and promote opportunities to reconsider gradual reduction of alcohol use, short-term interventions for withdrawal management and long-term management of alcohol dependence.