Harm reduction strategies from a social service perspective in substance abuse process

This study aims to analyze the perceptions and practices of substance users towards harm reduction approach and to evaluate this approach from a social work perspective. The research focuses on how individuals who use substances define harm reduction, which harm reduction practices they experience and the effects of these practices on their lives. In addition, the barriers to harm reduction practices and solutions to overcome these barriers were examined. In addition, how social workers define harm reduction approaches, which strategies they include in their practices and their evaluations of the effectiveness of these strategies constitute another important dimension of the research. The research is based on a phenomenological methodology and 16 in-depth interviews with substance users (11) and social workers (5). The findings revealed that harm reduction strategies should be addressed with both individual and social dimensions. Individuals who use substances have achieved positive results in terms of both health and social relations by adapting harm reduction to their own lives. On the other hand, social workers evaluated harm reduction as an individually planned tool that facilitates transition to treatment and improves the quality of life of individuals. The research results reveal that harm reduction practices in Turkey need to be embedded in a more comprehensive policy framework. Moreover, the active role of social workers in this field is critical to increase individuals' compliance with treatment and reduce stigmatization in society. However, there is a need to integrate health, social work and legal frameworks to overcome the legal and social barriers encountered in the implementation of harm reduction strategies. This study aims to contribute to the discipline of addiction treatment and social work by addressing the harm reduction approach from both a theoretical and applied perspective. Research findings emphasize that harm reduction strategies should be used more effectively in order to improve individuals' health and social relationships.