GROUP SUGGESTIONS
DUO respects you know what is best for you, since you know yourself best.
Treat everyone with respect. We are grown adults - putdowns, insults, and name-calling will not be tolerated. Do no harm.
Approach conversations with curiosity to actively listen instead of listening to respond.
Practice empathy. Assume positive intent and that everyone is putting forth their best effort. Meet people where they are at in every way possible, respecting their expertise and giving them grace in the face of what you might perceive as mistakes. Compassion and love make everyone stronger.
Step In/Step back: Try to limit dialogue to 2-3 minutes per turn, ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to speak. Those who are usually quiet should try to step in more, and those who talk regularly should step back and make space for others.
Don’t let each other fail. Look for others who may be struggling or stuck. If you see someone who needs help, reach out and offer a hand.
Anonymity is vital. What you see and hear in DUO needs to stay in DUO, but you can take what you learned with you.
For everyone’s safety and security, meetings are not to be recorded.
In this space, the group’s well-being comes first. We are stronger together.
DUO includes members from all places on the drug use spectrum, from abstinence to dependence. There is no hierarchy in drug use or recovery here.
DUO’s main purposes are to provide connection, discuss ways of reducing harm to drug users, and serve the community.
DUO shall not sell out to outside enterprises.
Disclaimer
We are not medical experts. We sometimes discuss ways we’ve tried to reduce the harms associated with living as people who use drugs, but we do not endorse these methods. Similarly, we do not endorse any particular drugs or medications. While members may have personal experiences, we recognize that every body is different and that what works for one person may not work for another. Anything you try is at your own risk.
WE ENCOURAGE LEARNING MORE ABOUT HARM REDUCTION AND GETTING INVOLVED IN YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY. ALWAYS CARRY NALOXONE!
