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When considering Substance Use Disorder (SUD), it is often the generalized goal of all providers that achieving sobriety and remaining abstinent of substances is what is needed. However, with substance use comes numerous obstacles an individual faces when considering overall health, the reason for use, treatment options available, and willingness to become sober (Dukakis, 2017). Often, individuals with SUD do not have a desire to cease use (Dukakis, 2017). For example, an individual adapting to homelessness that also uses substances may use methamphetamines to assist in staying awake and being alert to avoid attacks and use heroin to put the mind at ease, cope with trauma, and sleep (Dukakis, 2017). While, this might be viewed It should be noted that substance use is nondiscriminatory, and has the potential to influence all populations. Harm Reduction is intended to assist individuals with SUD that are not ready to stop use mitigate the acute and chronic health issues related to substance use (Dukakis, 2017). In 2010, Colorado legalized the first Harm Reduction Action Center to begin to scratch the surface of substance abuse and the opioid epidemic. These sites focus on the overall well-being of the individuals, providing access to clean needles and syringes, education on vein health, preventing infections and communicable diseases, reduction of overdoses, and connection with counseling and substance use resources when warranted (Dukakis, 2017). Much of the staff at these action centers are volunteers that have used substances previously or have been impacted by individuals who have used or used substances, this provides a greater understanding and trust between patients and staff members (Dukakis, 2017). There are also medical and behavioral health services on-site that assist in education process (Dukakis, 2017). It is imperative to consider those in the population that do not view substance use as an issue and the resources and focus on harm-reduction approaches such as a clean needle exchange program or reduction of use (Blanch et al., 2019). One of the biggest barriers is the cost of treatment, taking a community approach to these treatment options allows for opportunities by providing a variety of sobriety resources attainable for all (Blanch et al., 2019). Addiction Medicine has developed over time as research of substance use and insight into mental health continues to grow (Blanch et al., 2019).
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