Welcome back to part two of my conversation with Dr. Andrew Tatarsky. If you missed part one, we unpacked the roots of the abstinence-only model and why it often fails to support the majority of people seeking help for substance use. Today, we pick up with Andrew’s personal turning point — the moment he began questioning that system from the inside. For context, Dr. Tatarsky is a clinical psychologist, author of Harm Reduction Psychotherapy, and a leading voice in the movement to create more compassionate, flexible approaches to recovery. In this episode, we dive into the core philosophy of harm reduction, how it actually works in practice, and why small, self-directed steps can be more powerful than rigid rules.Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Go to https://ctbk.co/4doo5dq for a free 15-day trial.--Listen to Journey to the Sunnyside Podcast: https://bit.ly/4bxCqT3Subscribe to Sunnyside’s YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3zuoID4CONNECT WITH SUNNYSIDE:- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joinsunnyside/- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joinsunnyside/- Twitter: https://x.com/joinsunnyside- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joinsunnysideABOUT SUNNYSIDE: Sunnyside is the #1 alcohol moderation app that helps you drink less without any shame, guilt, or pressure to quit. Optimize your alcohol habits to achieve benefits like sleeping better, losing weight, feeling more energy, and saving money. We know that an all-or-nothing approach doesn’t work for everyone, so we focus on helping you set your own goals, celebrate small wins, and build a lasting system of accountability. As a result, 96.7% of our members see a big drop in their drinking after 90 days.Disclaimer: This podcast is not intended as medical advice, and the views of the guests may not represent the views of Sunnyside. If you’re concerned about your health or alcohol use, please consider seeking advice from a doctor.

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.