What is a Harm Reduction Plan?
A harm reduction plan is a set of guidelines or a strategy to minimize harm done in our lives. Most of the time these are tied to certain symptoms or a diagnosis.
Some common diagnoses that could use a harm reduction plan are
- Substance use disorder
- Any addictions
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Eating disorders
- Personality disorders
- Paranoid Personality Disorder
- Schizoid Personality Disorder
- Schizotypal Personality Disorder
- Antisocial Personality Disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Histrionic Personality Disorder
- Narcissistic Personality Disorder
- Avoidant Personality Disorder
- Dependent Personality Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
The point of having a harm reduction plan is not just to minimize harm but to also start recognizing and thinking about your triggers or warning signs. Learning how they tie together to impact your own version of events from start to end is called ‘insight’.
The more insight you have into your diagnosis, the more you can strategize a plan and navigate your symptoms. You probably have a few ways you’re doing this already but putting a harm reduction plan down in writing will take it to the next level.
A lot of us don’t spend a lot of time analyzing what comes before we take a turn for the worse. We usually take a look aroud in the middle of the chaos and feel helpless to what’s happening around us; powerless over ourselves. But if we could see the slight signs that point to steep grade ahead, we would have that chance to prepare.
If you could see all of the warning signs clearly, you could plan for the worst parts of your symptoms.
So, what all goes into a harm reduction plan?
You really can personalize a harm reduction plan as much as you like but here are some possible topics covered;
- Triggers
- Signs your mood is changing
- Asking for accommodations
- Seeking support
- Safe/unsafe people
- Checking the facts
- Limitations
Some Things To Remember
Putting together a harm reduction plan can take some trial and error and will vary depending on what it is for.
A plan for an eating disorder is going to include different things than one for schizophrenia, and that’s okay.
Even two plans for the same diagnosis can vary.
You can have a harm reduction plan and still have harm done.
It’s up to you whether or not you share your harm reduction plan.
The example below was created for a bipolar II diagnosis.
Harm Reduction Worksheets PDF
Free PDF Harm Reduction Plan Version #1
Free PDF Harm Reduction Plan Version #2
Free PDF Harm Reduction Plan Version #3
Free PDF Harm Reduction Plan Version #4
Free PDF Harm Reduction Plan Version #5
Harm Reduction Plan Example
Harm Reduction Worksheets PDF
More Resources
I don’t like to recommend anything I haven’t tried myself.
So, these are some of the books, PDFS and groups that have helped me but there are SO many more.
🙜
PDFS Related to What is a Harm Reduction Plan
🙜
Posts Related To What is a Harm Reduction Plan
7 Root Causes of Addiction Exposed
How Childhood Trauma Affects Adult Relationships
Dealing With Triggers In Recovery: 10 Proven Methods That Work
Your Amygdala and Childhood Trauma: 4 Truths You Should Know
9 Tips For How to Get Out of Victim Mentality
Reading Material Related To What is a Harm Reduction Plan
The Body Keeps the Score & Workbook
Recovery: A Guide for Adult Children of Alcoholics
Groups Related to What is a Harm Reduction Plan
Adult Children of Alcoholics/Dysfunctional Families
Disclosure: Some of the links within What is a Harm Reduction Plan are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click a link through What is a Harm Reduction Plan and finalize a purchase.