When it comes to drug use, the most important thing to know is that, at any time, the only way to successfully reduce risk is by abstaining from the use of dangerous chemicals. Our genetic makeup plays a significant role in how drugs affect us; different people have different reactions to different drugs. Some people need help to get to that point, and that is what a harm reduction program in Portland aims to do. At Crestview Recovery in Oregon, we aim to provide you with the help you need to get to the point of being drug-free.
Would you like to learn more about our aftercare program? Call us today at 866.262.0531 for more information.
What Is Harm Reduction?
Harm reduction is the process by which people work to reduce the risks of using drugs and alcohol. It doesn’t encourage use, but it recognizes that if people are going to use, they need to avoid negative outcomes and the highest-risk situations. If you have an addiction and you want help for it in Oregon, we encourage you to reach out to our addiction treatment center in Portland, Oregon now for help.
Reach Out to Our Team for Treatment in Oregon
Now is the best time for you to call to learn more about drug and alcohol treatment in Oregon. The sooner you reach out to our team, the faster we can help you find the help and healing you deserve. Crestview Recovery has ample experience helping people at various points in the recovery process. We’re the compassionate team you need to find a way forward in this very difficult experience.
Learn more about how we can help, including for:
- Opioid addiction rehab
- Prescription drug addiction rehab
- Meth addiction rehab
- Cocaine addiction rehab
- Alcohol addiction rehab
5 Tips for Harm Reduction Strategies in Oregon
Consider a few ways that you can use harm-reduction strategies to help yourself avoid the worst outcomes.
- If you’re going to use substances, use a clean needle. Ensure that no one else has used it before you have.
- Whenever possible, avoid injecting a drug. Smoking it is a safer way to get access to it.
- If you’re going to drink alcohol, don’t get in a car. Don’t even take a car. Plan to avoid driving.
- Don’t use drugs or alcohol alone. Don’t be in a room with others who are all using. You need someone to be able to call for help if you need it.
- Whenever possible, use the lowest dose possible.
When it comes to harm reduction strategies, each one of these is a simple thing you can do to somewhat reduce your risks. Yet, they do not provide you with a way to stop using just yet.
How to Know You’re Ready to Stop Using?
An overdose occurs. You still feel the need to use. You are fighting with your family, but you still feel the need to get drunk. The fact is, there may not be a time when you realize that now is when you should stop using. In short, it will never be easy to make that decision. It is one of the most difficult you’ll make in your lifetime.
In fact, there are signs that may help you decide when the time is right. First, if you’re struggling with depression and other mental health issues due to your drug or alcohol use, then it might be time to get help. Second, if your relationships are suffering because of your substance use, this is a clear indication that you need to make a change. Third, if your career or schooling is beginning to suffer, then this may be another sign that it’s time to get help and stop using. Finally, if your physical health has deteriorated due to substance use, then it’s definitely time to seek out professional help.
Here in Oregon, we know that you can make that decision at any time and find the support and care you need from a residential and inpatient treatment program to get sober. The key is to recognize in yourself that you can do this instead of using again. When you realize that, that’s when you know you’re going to do well.
Embrace the Care You Need at Crestview Recovery
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that you are in control of your own life and can make the decision to stop when the time is right. It may never be easy, but as long as you have the support of family, friends, and professionals, you will be able to find success in sobriety.
When you need help with harm reduction or just need to talk to someone about what’s happening to you, reach out to our team. At Crestview Recovery, our dedicated professionals are here to support you in the best way we can. Learn more about how we can help you in Oregon by calling 866.262.0531 or reaching out to us right here online.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
