7383E The Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: General Principles of Harm Reduction-Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The training session conducted by Jenna Fold from the New England Region Opioid Response Network introduces general principles on Treatment of Substance Use Disorders with a focus on Harm Reduction. Dr. Joji Suzuki, a prominent addiction psychiatrist, is the featured speaker. He emphasizes the chronic nature of substance use disorders, equating them with other chronic diseases like diabetes or hypertension, where ongoing management and relapse prevention are critical. The biological basis of addiction involves the brain's reward pathway and dopamine, making cravings a powerful component that complicates recovery.<br /><br />Harm reduction strategies are highlighted as crucial public health measures. These include providing clean needles, overdose reversal medications, and supervised consumption sites. Such strategies do not necessarily aim for abstinence but focus on minimizing harm from drug use, analogous to using seatbelts or helmets. Dr. Suzuki also discusses the stigma surrounding substance use, stressing its impact on healthcare outcomes, and the importance of using non-stigmatizing language. The training underscores the necessity of accessible, affordable treatment services and the recognition of varied recovery pathways.

Keywords

Substance Use Disorders

Harm Reduction

Addiction Psychiatry

Chronic Diseases

Relapse Prevention

Overdose Reversal

Stigma

Recovery Pathways