Term referring to the concept that complete cessation of alcohol and drug abuse should not be the only goal of drug and alcohol programs; a decrease in use and the avoidance of harm to the person and others also should be a goal of treatment.
Harm avoidance is also used to describe a personality trait characterized by excessive worrying; pessimism; shyness; and being fearful, doubtful, and easily fatigued. In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, harm avoidance has been correlated with reduced gray matter volume in the orbitofrontal, occipital, and parietal regions.