Skip to main content
55th ASAM Annual Conference Main banner
Final Program


Conference Program
Back

General Session

Opening General Session - Broadening Perspectives to Narrow the Treatment Gap

Friday, April 5, 2024
8:30 AM – 9:45 AM  
Narrow perspectives on recovery can limit patient engagement and negatively impact health outcomes. A broader approach, combining traditional treatment methods and harm reduction principles is necessary to adequately address the needs of people with substance use disorders. This presentation will describe the history of addiction care, identify shared goals of harm reduction and treatment service providers, and make the case for a chronic care model for addiction that is patient-centered and focuses on maximizing function and improving wellness. Join this session to learn more about incorporating this model into all practice settings and how even small changes can make a big difference.

Learning Objectives:

Learners will be able to:
  • Describe three examples of ways harm reduction principles can be embedded in clinical practice.
  • Learn how to leverage the trust of harm reduction programs to bring high quality low barrier care to people who inject drugs.
  • Explore frontline reactions to increased access to take-home doses and further individualized care.
  • Describe why evidence-base treatment and harm reduction are required to improve the health and well-being of people with substance use disorders.