Mental Health and Addiction
- Team A
- Apr 4, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 11, 2022
What is Addiction?
Addiction is also known as substance abuse disorder and is when there is an uncontrolled use of a particular substance despite knowing the consequences of using this substance. Addiction causes distorted thinking and behaviour, which can change brain structure and function and is often the reason people experience intense-cravings, personality changes, abnormal movements, etc.
People can develop an addiction to:
Alcohol
Marijuana
Hallucinogens like PCP and LSD
Inhalants like paint thinners and glue
Opioid pain killers like codeine and heroin
Sedatives, hypnotics and anxiolytics (tranquilizers, etc.)
Cocaine, methamphetamine etc.
Tobacco
Addiction can impair:
Judgement
decision making
learning
memory
sense of control
Reasons why people use substances:
to feel good — feeling of pleasure, “high” or "intoxication"
to feel better — relieve stress, forget problems, feel numb
to do better — improve performance or thinking
curiosity and peer pressure or experimenting
people can also develop addiction to behaviours, like gambling
Symptoms of substance use disorder are grouped into four categories:
Impaired control: craving the use of a substance; unable to control substance
Social problems: addiction causes the inability to complete tasks at work, school or home; affects social relationships with friends or family, and leisure activities are pursued less and less
Risky use: substance is used in risky places; it continues to be used despite knowing the risks/consequences
Drug effects: tolerance (need for larger amounts to get the same effect); withdrawal symptoms (different for each substance)
Mental Health and Addiction
People who experience a problems in mental health are more likely to also experience a substance use problem.
Similarly, people who experience problems with alcohol or drug use are also those with impaired mental health
A theory is that using alcohol or drugs may help people cope with the diff symptoms that come with impaired mental health
For example, people who experience some anxiety disorders might use a short-term anti-anxiety medication in ways that it wasn’t prescribed, which can increase the risk of dependence.
Factors like genes or changes in the brain may make some people more likely to experience both mental health problems and substance use problems.
Experiences of trauma, pain, poor housing, low income, loneliness, discrimination, poor access to services, easy access to substances, and other concerns that affect our community impact every individual’s health and well-being and lead to increased substance use
Mental Health and Addiction Journaling Prompts:
When I look back at my life, what events can I trace back to that directly impacted substance use habits?
Who has been my biggest support in my recovery?
Where do I see myself in 5 years having achieved sobriety?
Where will I be in 5 years if my addiction is still disrupting my life?
Where do I feel most at peace, and what can I do to bring that sense of peace into my daily life?
Mental Health and Addiction Coping Strategies:
Mindfulness and meditation
ability to maintain an ongoing awareness of one's vulnerability
understand one’s triggers and try to prevent them
improve environment around them so as to not expose themselves to possible triggers
facilitates forgiveness and coming to terms with this problem
Group therapy recovery programs like Alcohols Anonymous
Try therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Seek social support such as friends or family
Journaling – admitting powerlessness and being honest; allowing you to motivate yourself and acknowledge that this was a problem and you are capable of overcoming it
Volunteering; getting involved in the community
Mental Health and Addiction Videos:
Addiction:
Breathing Exercise Video:
Canada-wide Resources:
Location | Service | Notes |
Canada | Wellness Together Canada 1-866-585-0445 | 24 hours Free service Service available in other languages Chat service |
Canada | 1-800-668-6868 | For youth 24 hours Chat service |
Alberta | Addiction Helpline 1-866-332-2322 | 24 hours Service available in other languages |
Alberta | Health Link 8-1-1 | 24 hours Service available in other languages |
Alberta | Mental Health Help Line 1-877-303-2642 | 24 hours Service available in other languages |
British Columbia | 24 hours Service available in other languages | |
British Columbia | 8-1-1 | 24 hours Service available in other languages |
British Columbia | 310-6789 (no need to dial area code) | 24 hours Service available in other languages |
Manitoba | | |
Manitoba | 24 hours | |
Manitoba | Youth Addictions Centralized Intake Services 1-877-710-3999 | For youth |
New Brunswick | 1-800-667-5005 | 24 hours |
New Brunswick | 8-1-1 | 24 hours |
Newfoundland and Labrador
| HealthLine 8-1-1 | 24 hours |
Newfoundland and Labrador
| 1-888-737-4668 | 24 hours |
Nova Scotia | Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line 1-888-429-8167 | 24 hours |
Nunavut
| 24 hours Service available in other languages | |
Ontario | Addiction, Mental Health, and Problem Gambling Services (ConnexOntario) 1-866-531-2600 | 24 hours Chat service |
Ontario | Most centres are open 24 hours | Chat service Text Service |
Ontario | 1-866-925-5454 | 24 hours For post-secondary students between the ages of 17-25 |
Prince Edward Island | 1-888-299-8399 | 24 hours |
Quebec | 24 hours | |
Quebec | 8-1-1 | For youth 24 hours Text Service |
Quebec | Tel-jeunes (website in French only) 1-800-263-2266 Text messaging (8:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.): 514-600-1002 | For Parents 24 hours |
Quebec | LigneParents (website in French only) 1-800-361-5085 | 24 hours Service available in other languages |
Saskatchewan | 8-1-1 | |
Yukon | Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services (8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday) 867-456-3838 1-866-456-3838 | |
Yukon | Withdrawal Management (Detox) 867-667-8473 | |
Provincial and territorial health services
Alberta – Addiction & Mental Health
British Columbia – Mental Health and Substance Use Supports in B.C.
Manitoba – Mental Health and Addictions
New Brunswick – New Brunswick Addiction Centers
Newfoundland and Labrador – Addiction Services
Northwest Territories – Getting Help With Addictions
Nova Scotia – Addiction Services
Nunavut – Department of Health
Ontario – Mental health and addictions support
Prince Edward Island – Addiction Services
Quebec – Dépendances (alcool, drogues, jeu) (website in French only)
Saskatchewan – Mental Health and Addiction Services
Programs for First Nations and Inuit
For First Nations communities looking for help regarding substance abuse, they have access to two programs funded by the Canadian government:
National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (NNADAP)
National Youth Solvent Abuse Program (NYSAP)
Link to Treatment Centres throughout Canada for Fist Nations communities:
Resources from CAMH – Centre of Mental Health and Addiction
For patients and families
Brochures and guides
Do You Know . . . Alcohol, Other Drugs and Driving: This brochure holds information from CAMH for the general public on the effects of alcohol and other drugs when driving.
Addiction: An Information Guide: This guide from CAMH is for individuals with drug and alcohol abuse problems in their families. It described substance abuse, treatment options, chance, recovery, relapse and preventions. There is also a child-friendly section explaining substance use disorders to children.
In Ontario, the Drug & Alcohol Helpline provides free, confidential and anonymous information about alcohol and other treatment services, 24 hours a day. Call 1 800 565-8603 or search online.
Sunshine Coast Health Centre: a comprehensive listing of government-funded and private alcohol and drug treatment programs and services located in Canada.
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