My Private Progress is informed by established harm-reduction principles, research and specialist practice.

This collection brings together research, national data and reports relevant to substance use, changing patterns of risk, harm reduction, stigma and access to support.

These sources provide wider context for the issues My Private Progress is designed to help people explore.

Research & reports 

Harm Reduction International 

International information, research and resources on harm reduction.

Harm Reduction Journal- Articles

Peer-reviewed research covering harm reduction and related areas.

National Harm Reduction Coalition- Principles of Harm Reduction

Provides practical resources, education and information on harm reduction principles and approaches to reducing drug-related harm.

The Global State of Harm Reduction

A global overview produced by Harm Reduction International, examining the availability, development and implementation of harm reduction policies and services around the world.

UK Drug Trends Intelligence Report 2026

Published by TD Consultancy, this report examines emerging drug trends across the UK, including changing patterns of substance use, drug-related harms, emerging substances and the increasing complexity of the drug supply.

It highlights why understanding risk involves more than knowing which substance someone is using. Strength, contents, combinations, methods of use and individual circumstances can all influence potential harm.

The report brings together evidence to support a better understanding of current drug trends and the importance of informed harm-reduction approaches.

Drug Misuse in England and Wales: Year Ending March 2025

Office for National Statistics (ONS), published December 2025

This report provides official statistics on the prevalence and patterns of illicit drug use in England and Wales, including occasional and frequent use, differences across age groups and changes in substance use over time.

Drawing on the Crime Survey for England and Wales, it provides valuable insight into how substance use varies across the wider population, including people who may never access specialist drug services.

Drinking at Home: Changing Patterns and Opportunities for Prevention

Drinkaware (2026)

This report explores changing patterns of alcohol consumption in the UK, particularly drinking at home. It examines how alcohol can become part of everyday routines, the factors influencing drinking habits and how risks may develop gradually without becoming immediately apparent.

The findings highlight the importance of recognising patterns, understanding what influences alcohol use and creating opportunities for earlier awareness and harm reduction.

Interventions to reduce self-stigma in people who use drugs: A systematic review. Sibley et al. (2024) 

Published in the Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment, this systematic review examined 15 studies involving 2,280 people who use drugs.

The research explores how self-stigma — when people internalise negative attitudes or judgements about substance use — can affect wellbeing and engagement with treatment and harm-reduction services.

The findings suggest that interventions can help reduce self-stigma, although further research is needed to establish which approaches are most effective.

Importantly, the authors highlight that most existing interventions are delivered through clinical or group settings, identifying a need to explore more accessible, self-directed approaches for people who are not engaged with treatment.

Practical harm reduction resources

WEDINOS - Check drug testing results.

WEDINOS publishes the results of substances submitted for testing, providing up-to-date information about what has been identified in drug samples.

Checking published results can help you stay informed about unexpected substances, changing drug contents and emerging trends. A substance sold or supplied as one thing may not always contain what you expect.

The results can be used as an additional source of information when thinking about risk and making safer choices.