The primary goals of HHRP are health promotion and improved quality of life. More specific goals are abstinence from illicit drug use or from sexual risk behaviors; reduced drug use; reduced risk for HIV transmission; and improved medical, psychological, and social functioning. HHRP is based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model of HIV prevention behavioral change. According to this model, there are three steps to changing behavior: Providing HIV prevention information, motivation to engage in HIV prevention and opportunities to practice behavior skills for HIV prevention.
HHRP takes a harm reduction approach to behavior change in which abstinence from drug use or sexual risk-taking behavior is one goal along a continuum of risk-reduction strategies. Clients are not assumed to be abstinent from either drug use or sexual risk behaviors.