Harm Reduction Strategies for Surviving a Pandemic

Harm Reduction Strategies for Surviving a Pandemic
​- Dr. Katzman

We’ve all struggled in our own ways to adjust to the unfolding global crisis. Though the severity of the impact varies widely, humanity is generally contending with not only the tangible disruptions in every domain of our lives, but also the loneliness and isolation in being cut off from nourishing social contact and our various communities. Video chat burnout may leave us with shrinking connection options. We may be in intense grief after losing a loved one; we may be overworked or furloughed, bored or overwhelmed, checked out or completely frazzled, anxious or depressed. 

We are trying our best to cope, and coping can look a lot of different ways.

There are some preliminary reports and observations that alcohol use has increased significantly during this first month of quarantine (42% more than usual in the Bay Area!). Legal cannabis sales in five states similarly increased, and some cities designated dispensaries as essential businesses. Virtual happy hours have rushed in to replace our after-work socializing opportunities.

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