Never Use Alone Hotline - 877.696.1996
Remember: Start Low and Go Slow.
Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use. A comprehensive prevention strategy, harm reduction is part of the continuum of care. Harm reduction approaches have proven to prevent death, injury, disease, overdose, and prevent substance misuse or disorder. Harm reduction is an effective approach to addressing the public health epidemic involving substance use as well as infectious disease and other harms associated with drug use.
Quick Links:
Harm Reduction for Alcohol
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Pace Yourself
Stick to one standard drink per hour and alternate with water. -
Eat Before & While Drinking
Food slows alcohol absorption and reduces intoxication effects. -
Know Your Limits
Understand your tolerance and set a personal limit before drinking. -
Choose Lower-ABV Drinks
Lower alcohol-by-volume options can help prevent overconsumption. -
Avoid Mixing with Other Substances
Combining alcohol with other drugs (including prescription meds) can increase risks. -
Recognize Signs of Alcohol Poisoning
Symptoms include confusion, vomiting, slow breathing, or unconsciousness. Call 911 in the event of an emergency. -
Set Drinking-Free Days
Taking breaks from alcohol helps prevent dependency. -
Avoid Drinking When Stressed
Find alternative coping mechanisms like exercise or social support. -
Be Mindful of Emotional Triggers
If you notice certain emotions lead to drinking, seek healthier coping strategies. -
Seek Support if Needed
Recovery groups and harm reduction services are available if drinking becomes problematic. -
Peer Recovery Support
Peers are available to assist you in laying out a personalized plan to decrease your drinking habits and offer continued support on your journey. -
Medication Assisted Recovery
Reduces alcohol cravings and the rewarding effects of alcohol. Commonly found medications include Vivitrol, Campral, and Antabuse.
*Prevention Resources does not endorse or prescribe any of the listed medications.
Speak to your medical provider for the most appropriate treatment options.
Resources
Moderation Management – https://moderation.org/
Harm Reduction Works – https://meet.harmreduction.works/
SMART Recovery – https://www.smartrecovery.org/
BAC Calculator – https://duiprevention.org/bac-calculator/
Safer Smoking
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Clean your hands:
Wash your hands with soap and water before smoking. If soap and running water are not available, use hand sanitizing wipes. -
Clean your supplies:
Make sure to clean smoking supplies after each use, including the pipe and mouthpiece. -
Use a filter:
Use a brass screen or a small ball of chore to create a film for your pipe. You can use a paperclip or pusher to secure the filter in the long stem of the pipe. -
Use a mouthpiece:
Attaching a mouthpiece to the end of the pipe helps prevent complications such as burns, sores in the mouth, cuts to the lips, and infection. -
Handle the pipe with care:
Pipes get very hot in the heating process! -
Do not share smoking equipment:
Sharing used supplies with others puts both parties at risk for infection and other complications. -
Avoid using alone:
Smoking substances still puts a person at risk for overdose. Use with a group or a partner, and stagger turns. -
Narcan (Naloxone):
Carry Narcan (naloxone) for overdose prevention. Know how to use it and leave it visible while using substances. -
Inhaling and exhaling the vapor:
Inhale the vapor slowly and exhale immediately. Holding the vapor in the lungs can cause burns and lung irritation/damage. -
Test strips:
Use a test strip to test your substances for potentially fatal, hidden substances such as fentanyl or xylazine. -
Go slow:
Too much increases your risk of overdose and other serious complications. -
Complications:
If someone has trouble breathing, confusion, chest pain, or other serious symptoms after smoking, seek medical attention immediately.
Resources:
National Harm Reduction Website: https://harmreduction.org/
NJ Harm Reduction Website: https://njharmreduction.org/
Never Use Alone Hotline: https://neverusealone.com/
Safer Snorting
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Clean your hands:
Wash your hands with soap and water before snorting. If soap and running water are not available, use hand sanitizing wipes. -
Crushing Powder:
Crush powder as fine as possible - Straws: Use a new, unused straw for each snorting session. If reuse of equipment is unavoidable: Reusable items should be disinfected after each use to avoid the spread of bacteria, viruses, and infections.
- Avoid sharing snorting tools: To reduce the risk of transmitting infections like hepatitis C, HIV, or colds.
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Protect your nasal health:
Snorting can cause damage to the nasal passages, sinuses, and even the septum. Protect your nasal health by alternating nostrils between hits, taking breaks between uses, and hydrating your nose with saline nasal sprays or oils to keep the tissues moist and reduce irritation. -
Snort substances from a clean, flat surface:
To avoid inhaling harmful substances that may be present on a dirty surface. -
Start with a small amount of the substance:
Start small to gauge its potency and your body's reaction to the substance. -
Mixing substances:
Do not mix substances when snorting. The combination can lead to unpredictable and potentially life-threatening effects, such as respiratory depression or overdose. -
Avoid using alone:
Snorting substances still puts a person at risk for overdose. Use with a group or a partner. -
Narcan (Naloxone):
Carry Narcan (naloxone) for overdose prevention. Know how to use it and leave it visible while using substances. -
Clean and Protect Your Nose After Use:
After snorting, be sure to clean your nose by blowing gently to clear out any residue. Rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash to avoid any residual substance from staying in your mouth or throat. -
Test strips:
Use a test strip to test your substances for potentially fatal, hidden substances such as fentanyl or xylazine.
Resources:
National Harm Reduction Website: https://harmreduction.org/
NJ Harm Reduction Website: https://njharmreduction.org/
Never Use Alone Hotline: https://neverusealone.com/
Safe Injection Practices
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Clean your hands:
Wash your hands with soap and water before snorting. If soap and running water are not available, use hand sanitizing wipes. -
Clean the skin before injection:
Clean your skin with soap and water before injection. If those are not available, use an alcohol wipe and wipe in one direction. -
Dissolve your substance using sterile water ampoules:
Unopened sterile water ampoules have no organic microbes, making it a safe way to dissolve substances. Water from a sealed, unopened water bottle can also be used. -
Use filters:
A cotton filter can be used to filter particles out of a drug solution after it has been diluted with water. -
Cooker/rinse cap:
An aluminum cap can be used as a container to safely dilute substances with water and to draw up the injection -
Tourniquets:
A stretchable band that is used to enlarge a vein before injection when tied ABOVE the intended vein. Do not leave tourniquet on for too long. -
Insulin syringe
Use a NEW and sharp syringe for EACH injection to protect yourself from infection; Bleach and rinse if reuse is unavoidable. -
Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK) Towelettes
An antiseptic germicidal wipe that can be used to clean skin after injection. Does not sting or increase bleeding as alcohol pads can. -
Antibiotic ointment:
Can be applied a few hours after injecting to promote healing of the site. Do not apply to an open injection site. -
Band-Aid:
To keep injection site clean and protected from infection after injection. -
Do not share injection equipment:
Sharing used supplies with others puts both parties at risk for infection and other complications. -
Avoid using alone:
Intravenous injection carries high overdose risk. -
Naloxone:
Carry Naloxone when using opioids. Know how to use it and leave it visible while using. -
Rotate injection sites:
Rotate sites to avoid vein damage, infection, and scarring.
Resources:
National Harm Reduction Website: https://harmreduction.org/
NJ Harm Reduction Website: https://njharmreduction.org/
Never Use Alone Hotline: https://neverusealone.com/
Safer Sex Practices and Substance Use
Before Engaging in Sex:
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Plan:
If you know you'll be using substances, have safer sex supplies ready (condoms, lube, dental dams, etc.). -
Consent is Key:
Discuss boundaries and desires while sober. Impairment can impact the ability to give and recognize consent. -
Know Your Substances:
Some drugs and alcohol can lower inhibitions, affect decision making, or decrease physical sensation. -
Communicate Openly:
Talk to your partner(s) about STI status, protection preferences, and comfort levels before use.
During Sex:
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Use Protection:
Always use condoms, lube, and barriers to reduce the risk of STIs and unintended pregnancy. -
Hydrate & Take Breaks:
Some substances can cause dehydration or prolonged activity— stay mindful of your body. -
Check In with Your Partner(s):
Regularly confirm comfort and willingness, as substances can alter perception and endurance. -
Watch for Overuse:
Be aware of signs of overdose or distress in yourself or your partner(s). If needed, seek medical attention.
After Sex:
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Reflect & Reconnect:
Discuss how everyone feels about the experience when sober. -
Hygiene Matters:
: Urinate after sex to prevent infections, clean up with mild soap and water. -
Treat:
Treat: Take PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) within 3 days of an event where there may have been a risk of having been exposed to HIV. PEP is a 4-week course of medication to help prevent contracting HIV. Get regular STI checks including HIV and Hepatitis C.
Resources:
Free HIV testing: https://together.takemehome.org/
PrEP: https://heymistr.com/
NIH: https://hivinfo.nih.gov/hiv-and-aids-resources
Planned Parenthood: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/
Additional Information
Naloxone
Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids, including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications. Click here for trainings, updates, and more.
Medication Assisted Therapy
Medication-assisted Therapy (MAT) also know as Medication-assisted Recovery (MAR) is the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a “whole-patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders.
