Psychedelic Education and Continuing Care Program

Breaking Down the Harmful Myth of the "Strong Black Woman" and Addiction - Virtual Event

Thursday, September 12, 2024, 5:30 PM 7:00 PM

In the kaleidoscopic tapestry of American culture, the myth of the "strong Black woman" emerges as both a beacon and a burden, intricately woven by Hollywood's lens. Films and television have long perpetuated an image of resilience synonymous with stoic endurance. Characters embodying this archetype often endure addiction battles, domestic violence turmoil, and mental health struggles without faltering. This portrayal is usually encapsulated within resilient characters who triumph over adversity with unyielding grace and inadvertently reinforces the "black woman schema," suggesting that strength is an inherent trait rather than a response to systemic burdens. As America now witnesses its first Black woman in the presidential race, a transformative wave ripples through generations of Black girls who once felt confined to narrow narratives dictated by outdated schemas.

Join Dr. Andrew Tatarsky, Dr. Evangelist Izetta Briggs-bolling, and Dr. Jeanette Aycock as they delve beneath this polished facade and start a much-needed conversation introducing harm reduction strategies tailored specifically for those grappling with societal pressures and personal demons—offering suggested pathways toward healing rather than mere survival.

Breaking Down the Harmful Myth of the "Strong Black Woman" and Addiction — Freedom Institute Join Dr. Andrew Tatartasy, Dr. Izetta Briggs-Bolling, and Dr.Jeanette Aycock as they delve beneath this polished facade and start a much-needed conversation introducing harm reduction strategies tailored specifically for those grappling with societal pressures and personal demons—offering suggeste...

What is Harm Reduction-Informed Substance Use Treatment?

Many are hearing about harm reduction-informed substance use/addiction treatment but don't really know what it is.

I wrote a piece for the Psychotherapy Networker that discusses my approach to this. In it I really tried to bring the reader into the experience of this work for client and clinician.

The Challenge of Harm Reduction: Changing Attitudes Toward Addiction Treatment

I'd love you to take a look and let me know what you think!

The Challenge of Harm Reduction Until they’ve done the challenging and sometimes painful work in therapy, many people can’t even begin to imagine curtailing their drug use. For them, therapy is a before, not an after; and their engagement in therapy, rather than their abstinence, is the primary goal of treatment.

April 27-30, 2025 Harm Reduction International Conference in Bogota!

Harm reduction International's biennial conference is happening next April in Bogota and gives us an opportunity to have a strong presence at the conference, update the international community on our work and meet and learn from one another.

I am planning to be at the conference and wonder if any of you might attend also.

I think it would be great if we did a number of activities focused on harm reduction therapy/treatment, harm reduction-informed addiction treatment.

I have felt that this has been underrepresented in previous harm reduction conferences and this could be where treatment people have a big presence.

We might do individual proposals and propose a track focused on this.

Please let the group know of your interest and if you'd like to do something on your work in harm reduction addiction treatment.

I'd love to hear any ideas and suggestions.

I'll be meeting with the conference organizers in a few weeks and would like to be able to present some proposals.

Warmly, Andrew Tatarsky

Harm Reduction International Conference - Harm Reduction International We convene the Harm Reduction International Conference in a different city every two years. It attracts over 1,000 international delegates and has been held in almost every region of the world.