Harm reduction is about reducing the "collateral damage" of your alcohol use. As an analogy, we wear seatbelts to reduce the risk of injury from automobile accidents. To give up driving would eliminate this risk 100% - but for most of us, that would be a tremendous sacrifice. We choose to accept some risk in order to enjoy the benefits of driving, and we do what we can to lower the risk.
Motivational Interviewing is a respectful "meet you where you are" approach that supports people in exploring their capacity to make changes in their drinking patterns when they do not desire abstinence. This stands in stark contrast to the abstinence-only model of AA, which holds at its core philosophy, "you are an addict; you are powerless over alcohol; and you must never drink again."
Alcohol moderation counseling acknowledges that there are concrete strategies and steps people can take to develop more moderate patterns of alcohol use when they are motivated for change.
Motivational Interviewing is a respectful "meet you where you are" approach that supports people in exploring their capacity to make changes in their drinking patterns when they do not desire abstinence. This stands in stark contrast to the abstinence-only model of AA, which holds at its core philosophy, "you are an addict; you are powerless over alcohol; and you must never drink again."
Alcohol moderation counseling acknowledges that there are concrete strategies and steps people can take to develop more moderate patterns of alcohol use when they are motivated for change.