Coming to Harm Reduction Kicking and Screaming: Stories of Radically Loving People Who Use Drugs

Harm Reduction for addiction is having a moment-and it's about time! Most of the books on the subject-and there are a few new ones-mainly discuss statistics and other traditional bits of evidence, including from other countries, to prove that harm reduction in addiction treatment works. Many in the US, however, aren't swayed, complaining that these proofs are coming from other countries and, after all, we're different. Coming to HR K&S 2nd edition does something no other book on harm reduction does: it provides proof of how HR works by allowing drug users and their families from across the US-who have used HR strategies successfully-share their stories directly. Instead of using tough love (which isn't love at all of course) these folks have been influenced to change their relationship to substances, or those they love who use substances chaotically, through more love, more connection, and sometimes simply having the guts to face their worst nightmare: the loss of a loved one.

Additionally, Stout & Clifford discuss what HR is and isn't, as well as the real roots of HR here in the US. Finally, a brand-new section dedicated to families and couples, again with historical notes but supplied by real-life people whose lives have been changed by HR. Does this mean everyone's life is perfect now? Absolutely not. Just like life, these are stories of how people change, grow, misstep, and continue to move forward even when the outcome is the worst. If storytelling is the way to change culture, these stories of guts and sheer tenacity be applauded ... and hopefully deeply listened to.