Skip to main content

Hacks for Recognizing the Physical Signs of Escalation

Most of us are relatively familiar with the physical signs of escalation, but they include a few you may be less familiar with, including:

  • Pacing
  • Sweating
  • Shaking
  • Clenched fist or jaw.
  • General restlessness.
  • Rapid breathing.
  • Aggressive or defensive postures, including stiff body language, crossed arms, stepping back, or staring people down.

Featured Hacks

These featured hacks highlight creative, practical solutions from harm reduction leaders on the ground. From DIY tools to clever workarounds, each one reflects the ingenuity, care, and real-world experience that keeps this movement alive. 

Creating effective policies in harm reduction work means grounding them in your mission, being thoughtful about their impact, and ensuring they’re both practical and inclusive. The tips below offer a starting point for organisations looking to build policies that reflect their values, meet external requirements, and genuinely support the people they serve and work with.
Community member agreements are shared agreements regarding behavior expected of everyone who participates in a harm reduction site or service. The primary rule all harm reduction leaders talked about was the need to treat everyone with respect.