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Maia Szalavitz on The Case For Harm Reduction
Maia Szalavitz on The Case For Harm Reduction
Maia Szalavitz on The Case For Harm Reduction
Tuesday 14th September 2021
Join Maia Szalavitz and Eric Zimmer on 'The One You Feed' as they discuss harm reduction and its promise for addiction treatment.
57 minutes
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Thought-provoking
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Get the buttons here!Maia Szalavitz on Rethinking Addiction: Harm Reduction's Promise
What we should focus on is stopping people from getting hurt, not stopping them from getting high, and stop people from hurting others, not stopping them from taking drugs.
What if the key to tackling addiction wasn't about forcing abstinence but about making healthier choices possible? That's the idea Maia Szalavitz brings to the table in this thought-provoking episode of 'The One You Feed'. An award-winning journalist and best-selling author, Szalavitz sits down with host Eric Zimmer to discuss her book, *Undoing Drugs: The Untold Story of Harm Reduction and the Future of Addiction*.
With over 30 years of groundbreaking work in addiction, drug policy, and neuroscience, Szalavitz offers a fresh perspective that challenges traditional approaches to addiction treatment. Harm reduction, as Szalavitz explains, focuses on minimizing the negative consequences of drug use rather than simply trying to eliminate drug use altogether. She argues that this approach can lead to healthier and more fulfilling lives for those struggling with addiction.
Instead of waging a moralistic war on drugs, harm reduction aims to reduce harm and improve well-being, whether or not someone continues to use substances. Throughout the conversation, Szalavitz and Zimmer delve into various facets of harm reduction, from its impact on the opioid crisis and chronic pain management to its role in addressing systemic issues like racism in drug policy.
Szalavitz also clarifies the often-confused terms of dependence and addiction, providing listeners with a clearer understanding of these complex issues. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in a more compassionate and effective approach to addiction. Szalavitz's insights are both eye-opening and hopeful, offering a path forward that prioritizes health and humanity over punishment and abstinence.