Understandably, our American resistance to giving up our marlistic attitude drives a need to preach abstinence of all "evils". We're also a culture steeped in religiosity, and for God's sake, we do yell quit drinking. But, I think that more than morals drives the helping hand to prefer our loved ones quit their illness altogether, albeit impossible to ask of them. I think many of us preach abstinence because we understand to not quit will inevitably lead to death, not only by means of car crashes and other dumb under the influence accidents, but by liver failure, cancer, and disease in general. Harm reduction does not allay these preventable causes of death satisfactorily. I think research money should go into devising a plan of abstinence that focuses on holistic healing, such as the 12-steps program. And we shouldn't settle for non-positive results, but push towards ending addiction once and for all. It can be done, and it should be done. Harm reduction is not the means to an end, but the perpetuation of illness. We wouldn't reduce the harm of a drowning victim by tossing him a life jacket and hoping he has enough strength to put it on, and we shouldn't reduce the harm of alcoholics by saying drink, but drink responsibly. That's an oxymoron if I've ever heard one.

Drug rehabs that have life skills programs can teach the addicted person to stay out of harms way.

good blog

Fortunately there is finally a support group available for people who wish to reduce the harm in their lives caused by the use of alcohol: The HAMS Harm Reduction Network. AA and abstinence are no longer the only options.