Get Resources and Referrals
What is Addiction and Substance Misuse?
Problematic substance use is the use of any psychoactive substance in a manner, situation, amount, or frequency that is harmful to the individual or to society. [1] Addiction is characterized by behaviours that have become out of control, such as gambling or alcohol and other drug use. Many people with a substance use or gambling problem have a co-occurring mental health problem.
Many people with a substance use or gambling problem have a co-occurring mental health problem. Trauma, especially in childhood, is often linked to addiction problems and is more likely to affect the most vulnerable people and populations. [2]
FACTS AND STATS
- Canadians use alcohol most commonly. In 2015, 3.3 million Canadians consumed enough alcohol to be at risk for immediate injury, while at least 4.3 million consumed enough to be at risk for long-term health effects such as liver damage.
- Almost 4 million Canadians aged 15 years and older reported that they used at least one illegal substance in the past year. Illegal substances included cannabis, cocaine/crack, ecstasy, hallucinogens, heroin or speed/methamphetamines.[3]
- Drug use and abuse in Canada is a problem that not only ruins the lives of the users and their families, but also costs taxpayers $22.8 billion per year. This cost is from treatment for drug abusers, as well as hiring additional law enforcement and equipment. [4]
Why is it Important?
Addiction can affect all parts of a person’s life, including their physical health, brain function, emotional well-being, finances, work life and social relationships, including with family. Each family member is uniquely affected by a person’s substance use or gambling problem.[5]
Problems occur when substance use causes harm to an individual, their family and friends, or their communities.
Problematic substance use is an ongoing public health and safety concern in Canada. It is estimated that approximately one in five Canadians aged 15 years and older experiences a substance use disorder in their lifetime.
The estimated total cost to society of alcohol and illegal drug use in 2014 was $38.4 billion, with tobacco and alcohol accounting for almost 70% of the total. [6]
What Does it Look Like?
The indicators of addiction can be summarized using the memory aid ABCDE (ASAM, 2011):
- inability to abstain
- little control over behaviour
- craving or “hunger” for substances or rewarding experiences
- decreased ability to recognize major problems in their behaviour and relationships
- a problematic emotional response.
See Addictions and Substance Misuse in the Mental Health Training Framework document
Mental Health Training Framework
Resources
Alberta Addictions Service Providers
Website contains links to numerous in-person events, online courses and archived webinars on various mental health and addictions topics. Visit Website
Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange
Website offers various resources on Harm Reduction including Best Practices, Recommendations for Harm Reduction Programs, Harm Reduction as a Tool for Health Living, Harm Reduction in Action
Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
Website offers a variety of research, reports, videos, podcasts and publications related to substance use and addictions and harm reduction. Also includes the Competencies for Canada’s Substance Abuse Workforce.
Community Education Service
Website provides parents/caregivers and other community members with opportunities to access free, public education sessions on child and youth emotional wellness and health topics.
Drug Safe (AHS)
Drug Safe offers information for the public on Alcohol, Cannabis and Opioids
Harm Reduction
Harm Reduction – Harm Reduction is an evidence-based, client-centred approach that seeks to reduce the health and social harms associated with addiction and substance use. Identifies examples and goals. (1 page information sheet)
Harm Reduction Coalition
Website offers a variety of publications, multimedia resources and archived webinars on various harm reduction principles, approaches and strategies.
Streetworks
The Streetworks Harm Reduction approach is a set of non-judgmental strategies and approaches, which aim to provide or enhance the skills, knowledge, resources and support street involved injection drug users’ and sex trade (target population) need to live safe and healthier lives.
Toolkits
Addiction Prevention Toolkit (AHS)
The purpose of the toolkit is to provide documents that will help facilitate connections with community partners and members of the general public with the goal of raising awareness and building relationships.
Enhancing Concurrent Capability Toolkit
This toolkit is intended to support critical components including Engagement strategy, Understanding Concurrent Capable Competencies, Screening, Assessment, Treatment Planning, offered through AHS.
Harm Reduction: A British Columbia Community Guide
Harm Reduction: A British Columbia Community Guide This guide assists municipalities in taking a leadership and a facilitative role in reducing the level of drug related harm in their communities.
Videos
Alberta Family Wellness Initiative
Website contains a variety of videos related to addictions and substance misuse.
Concurrent Disorder Comprehensive Assessment
This video demonstrates how to engage clients in assessment, treatment planning and a decision making that is guided by ASAM’s patient placement criteria. (70 minutes) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW0d9YDymvg
Domestic Violence & Addictions and Mental Health Parts 1 and 2 (AHS)
This AHS video series includes - Part 1: Key messages include Prolonged exposure to violence is associated with onset, duration and recurrence of mental health disorders/addictive behaviours. 2: Responding to Domestic Violence. (38 minutes) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EyBaHexy-U
Engaging Clients with Complex PTSD and Chronic Substance Abuse Issues
This AHS video addresses effective engagement interventions for those experiencing chronic substance abuse and complex PTSD. (52 minutes) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyY-utr8sbA
Online Training
Addiction 101
Free online education with the Centre for Additions and Mental Health (CAMH) is aimed at building awareness and knowledge of mental health challenges and reducing stigma. (20 minutes) Competency: Knowledge Audience: All Cost: Free
Developmental Pathways of Addiction and Mental Health
This AHS Mental Health and Addictions Learning Series offers a web- based interactive e-Learning curriculum designed to support healthcare providers to enhance their practice working with children, youth and their families experiencing addiction and mental health issues. The focus of these modules is to help health providers recognize and reduce
Harm Reduction Approach Overview
The State of New York Department of Health offers an introduction to basic philosophy and practices of HIV/STI/HCV harm reduction with regards to substance use and sexual risk behavior. The webinar provides an opportunity to reflect on your values and attitudes regarding harm reduction, as well as learn specific harm
PACES Provincial Addiction Curricula and Experiential Skills Training/Alberta Opioid Dependency Treatment Virtual Training
The focus of the Alberta ODT Virtual Training Program through AHS is to provide healthcare providers with the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes when providing care to patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). (7 modules, 25-35 minutes each) Competency: Knowledge, Behavioural Audience: General Cost: Free
Prescription Drug Training for Youth and Adults
The Spirit of Healing offers 2 courses. The course for youth focuses on safe and unsafe use of prescription and over-the-counter medication and encourages using traditional and alternative ways to stay safe, healthy and balanced in all areas - mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. The adult course provides information on
The Brain Story Certification
The Alberta Family Wellness Initiative’s new course has been streamlined and is more concise, but continues to provide a deeper understanding of brain development and its connection to addiction and mental health. The course now includes a new bibliography, a new glossary, an improved navigation system, updated videos and reflective
References
- Government of Canada. (2018). Strengthening Canada’s Approach to Substance Abuse Issues. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/canadian-drugs-substances-strategy/strengthening-canada- approach-substance-use-issue.html#a2
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. (2018). Addiction 101. Retrieved from https://moodle8.camhx.ca/moodle/mod/book/view.php?id=82
- Government of Canada. (2018). Strengthening Canada’s Approach to Substance Abuse Issues. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/canadian-drugs-substances-strategy/strengthening-canada- approach-substance-use-issue.html#a2
- Canada Centre for Addictions. (2019). Retrieved from https://canadiancentreforaddictions.org/drug-use-and-abuse-in-canada/
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. (2018). Addiction 101. Retrieved from https://moodle8.camhx.ca/moodle/mod/book/view.php?id=82
- Government of Canada. (2018). Strengthening Canada’s Approach to Substance Abuse Issues. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/canadian-drugs-substances-strategy/strengthening-canada-approach-substance-use-issue.html#a2
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Addiction 101. Retrieved from https://moodle8.camhx.ca/moodle/mod/book/view.php?id=82