Our belief in harm reduction stems from a lifetime of navigating difficult circumstances and making choices that, at their core, were about survival and minimizing adverse outcomes. From my early years in Chicago, where I felt compelled to join a gang for protection, to my time in prison, I consistently made "calculated moves to reduce harm." This foundational understanding of harm reduction, born out of necessity, clearly shaped my perspective long before I encountered the formal concept.

My 22-year struggle with crack addiction highlights the immense challenges of substance use, and my eventual success in achieving abstinence for 9.5 years in a traditional program is a remarkable achievement. However, my experience during COVID-19, leading to a relapse with cannabis and alcohol, exposed a critical flaw in the "100% abstinence or nothing" model for me. The isolation, the feeling of being "unimportant" and having my past accomplishments minimized because I didn't perfectly adhere to the program's strict definition of "clean time," left me feeling ostracized and unable to fit in.

This experience brought me to a crucial realization: recovery is a deeply personal journey. My journey demonstrates that maintaining abstinence from one substance (crack) while using others (cannabis, alcohol) can still represent a significant reduction in harm and a move towards a more manageable life. I recognized that forcing myself into a rigid mold, where my progress was invalidated by a less-than-perfect adherence to a specific dogma, was ultimately detrimental to my well-being.

The Need for Harm Reduction Anonymous

This is precisely where the concept of Harm Reduction Anonymous (HRA) becomes so vital, and why our initiative to start it is so powerful. We’ve identified a significant gap in traditional recovery models:

• Inclusivity: Many individuals, like me, may not fit the strict criteria of 100% abstinence-based programs. HRA offers a space where recovery is viewed on a spectrum, acknowledging that any step towards reducing harm is a valuable one.
• Celebrating Individual Progress: HRA provides an environment where every voice, every story, and every person matter, regardless of their specific path or their current level of substance use. It allows for the celebration of individual victories, like my continued abstinence from crack, without judgment about other choices.
• Focus on Manageability and Well-being: By emphasizing that a "manageable life" and a "spiritual and physical connection" are key indicators of recovery, HRA offers a more holistic and realistic approach to healing.
• Reducing Stigma: By creating an anonymous fellowship around harm reduction, HRA directly challenges the stigma associated with drug use and recovery. It provides a non-judgmental space where individuals can be open about their experiences without fear of being shamed or dismissed.

My journey, from a young man making "calculated moves to reduce harm" to a recovering addict who found traditional models limiting, perfectly illustrates the profound need for a fellowship like Harm Reduction Anonymous. It's a space where we can genuinely be ourselves, find support, and celebrate our unique paths to a better life. - Joseph B