Knowledge Centre

Addiction can take many forms and shapes. It involves a compulsive or uncontrollable need to find and use a substance. Addiction can be psychological, which means that you need it to feel better mentally; or addiction can be physical, which means that your body craves the substance. All types of addiction cause similar harms to a person’s social and emotional life, and the lives of those around them. One simple way of describing addiction is the presence of the 4 Cs:

1. Having craving for a substance;
2. Loss of control of amount or frequency of use ;
3. Having compulsions to use; and,
4. Using despite the consequences.

Nobody chooses to become addicted, and addiction is not about personal weakness or character flaws. When addicted, it can be difficult to give up the substance or stop the behavior. Most people usually need extra support from friends, families or health care professionals. Whether its alcohol, nicotine, drugs, gambling, the internet, or some other form of addiction, there is hope and help available. Call your local mental health and addictions office to speak to a counselor or visit the Find Support page of this app.

People can become dependent on some types of behaviors such as gambling, shopping, sexual activity, and playing computer games. These compulsive behaviors are common and can require professional treatment to overcome. A behavioural addiction does not involve the use of an addictive substance. Behavioural addictions are often overlooked. All types of addiction cause similar harm to a person’s social and emotional life, and the lives of those around them.

When it comes to substance use, there are two kinds of dependence:

1. Psychological dependence occurs when a person feels he or she needs the drug to function or feel comfortable; and,
2. Physical dependence occurs when a person’s body has become used to the presence of a substance. Tolerance means the person needs to use more of the substance to get the same effect. When the person stops using the drug, symptoms of withdrawal occur.

Substance use can be hard to change. One thing that makes change so difficult is that the immediate effects of substance use tend to be positive. Initially, the reward the brain receives is often pleasurable and we may call this a “high”. Over time, as our bodies become dependent on that substance and we experience withdrawals, the reward of using the substance may be to avoid the negative withdrawals.

Not everyone who uses alcohol or other drugs will become addicted. Every person’s body and brain are different. Your relationships, surroundings, lifestyle, and other mental health issues can make you more or less likely to become addicted. The progression of substance use to addiction is on a continuum, ranging from no use to dependency. Generally people advance from no use, to use, misuse, abuse, and finally to dependency. As a general rule, when substance use starts to cause problems in your relationships, or begins to negatively affect your work, finances or health, it’s probably time to think about making some changes.

1. Alcohol is considered a drug, and it can cause just as much damage as other drugs if misused.
2. After tobacco, alcohol is the substance that causes the most harm in Canada.
3. Alcohol is the most commonly used substance followed by cannabis and tobacco.
4. Addiction affects all genders, all socioeconomic classes, and all communities. Addiction impacts our friends, family, and coworkers.
5. Legal substances (tobacco and alcohol) account for 79.3% of the total cost of substance abuse in Canada. Illegal drugs account for 20.7% of substance abuse.
6. Ecstasy, cocaine and heroin are a few examples of illegal drugs.
7. Psychoactive pharmaceuticals are the third most commonly-abused substances among Canadian youth.
8. Prescription drug abuse is intentionally taking medication in a way that was not prescribed. The most common types of prescription drugs abused include opioids (used to treat pain), benzodiazepines (used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders), and stimulants (used to treat attention deficit disorder).
9. Many people are not aware of the potential risks to using substances. Abuse of these medications can cause serious health effects, including addiction, overdose and even death.

Test your mental illness know-how and get the facts straight—for your loved ones, for your community or even for your own health.

Myth: “Crazy” is just a word or expression, it isn’t meant to be harmful. It can’t do damage.

Fact: The language we use can add to stigma. This experience of feeling shame and being judged is part of the problem individuals living with mental illness and addiction face each day. Many people say that the stigma associated with mental illness and addiction, including harmful words or phrases, is worse than the illness itself.

Myth: People living with schizophrenia are dangerous. I saw a story on TV where someone with that illness shot someone!

Fact: Individuals living with schizophrenia or any mental illness are rarely dangerous. Individuals living with mental illness are more likely to be victims of violence than inflict harm on others.

Myth: People with addictions are weak. They just need to stop.

Fact: An addiction requires help, and people living with an addiction need support, hope and time to address the illness and recover.

Myth: Depression is pure laziness. Get it together!

Fact: This myth that depression can be fixed by pulling up your socks, putting on a brave face and just simply “getting it together” is common. All of us have a personal responsibility to do what we can to get well, regardless of the illness. Depression is often accompanied by fatigue, decreased energy, poor concentration and slowed thinking. It requires a treatment plan that may include medication as well as therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy. This therapy teaches us how our thoughts can affect our feelings and ultimately our behaviour. This can be intensive and when the person is well enough to participate, can include components of self help, journal writing, homework and other techniques. Depression is a serious medical illness that, at times, requires hospitalization. It can lead to hopelessness and suicide. Treating depression with pep talks or by trying to cajole or put pressure on the person can reaffirm their feelings of being judged and misunderstood. Listen to the person’s experience! Understanding what depression is can make the recovery journey that much easier.

Myth: Alcoholism and gambling addiction are choices.

Fact: Cancer isn’t a choice. Neither is heart disease. Alcoholism and gambling addiction are serious disorders and they are also not the choice of the individual. Again, as with any illness, we all have a personal responsibility to do what we can to get well. The same applies to persons with addictions. They require treatment, support and understanding, just like treating many other illnesses.

Myth: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) only impacts soldiers or those who have been to war.

Fact: PTSD can impact anyone, not just individuals who have represented their country abroad during military action. Individuals with a history of tragedy, loss or a major event (such as sexual, emotional or physical abuse or an accident) may have painful memories impacting their emotional wellness as part of their PTSD.

Myth: If I ask my husband if he has suicidal thoughts, it will give him the idea and may cause him to act on those thoughts.

Fact: Asking someone whether they have suicidal thoughts won’t increase their chances of attempting suicide. However, not asking may. Feelings of hopelessness (no one understands) and helplessness (nothing can help me) can lead to suicide. Talking about it, offering support and reaching out can make the difference.

Myth: Mental illness only impacts the poor.

Fact: Mental illnesses impact 1 in 5 Canadians, each year, from all walks of life, men and women, of all ages and in all parts of Canada. The campaign to reduce stigma is for all Canadians. We are all affected—let’s create waves of change and understanding.

Want to Learn More? Keep Going for Change!

Does the fact that one person in five lives with a mental illness in any year surprise you? Consider the following:

• 1 in 25 people in Canada lives with heart disease. 1 in 15 lives with type 2 diabetes. Unlike most other chronic diseases, mental health problems and illnesses hit early in people’s lives. More than 70% have their onset in childhood and 28% of people aged 20-29 experience a mental illness in a given year. By the time people reach 40 years of age, 1 in 2 people in Canada will have had or have a mental illness.
• With nearly 4 million people living with either a mood or an anxiety disorder in 2011, these are the most common mental illnesses in Canada.
• People in their early and prime working years are among the hardest hit by mental health problems and illnesses. According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, about 21.4% of the working population in Canada currently experience mental health problems and illnesses, which can affect their productivity.
• Mental health problems and illnesses account for approximately 30% of short- and long-term disability claims, and are rated one of the top three drivers of such claims by more than 80% of Canadian employers.
• There are some gender differences: women are more often diagnosed with depression than men, while men are diagnosed more with alcohol dependence. Women attempt suicide more often than men, but men die from suicide more often than women.
• Canada’s Aboriginal communities experience higher rates of suicide. Suicide is the leading cause of death for First Nations youth and adults up to 44 years of age.

Consider these warning signs:

• Do you feel an overwhelming desire to use?
• Is the problem behaviour suddenly frequent? Does it feel out of control?
• Is it on your mind often? Interfering with the ability to complete work or manage your day-to-day life?
• Is the addiction causing problems at work or home?

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is a resource for addictions- related information – read more about what addiction is and isn’t here.

What’s normal? What’s addiction?

We all get cravings, but when does it become problematic? Be aware of the warning signs in yourself and your loved ones.

• Insatiable craving.

  Is it a craving that doesn’t seem to pass?

• Loss of control.

  Is the behaviour occurring more frequently? Is the amount taken or spent increasing? Does it seem like life is centred around this one thing?

• Compulsion to use.

  Are thoughts about the behaviour obsessive? Is the behaviour interfering with the ability to complete work or manage day-to-day life?

• Use despite consequences.

  Is the behaviour causing problems at work or home but you or your loved one just can’t stop? Is the behaviour having a negative financial impact?

Someone does not have to show clear signs of a problem to have an addiction. It’s easy to become dependent on a drug or an activity without realizing it right away. Harmful consequences and loss of control are two important signs that a person’s substance use is risky, or is already a problem. Substance use may be a problem when you:

• Have difficulty meeting responsibilities at home, work or school;
• Use more than you intended despite wanting to cut down or quit;
• Have recurring problems with health, safety, relationships, finances or the law through the substance use;
• Need the substance to cope with everyday life or particular experiences;
• Organize other events or needs around your substance use;
• Need increasing amounts of the substance to have the same effect;
• Feel sick or moody without the substance, but feel a little improved upon resuming use; and,
• Have tried unsuccessfully to reduce or cease use.

If you are experiencing any of the above you may have a substance abuse problem. Remember, no matter what type of addiction or problem you are facing, hope and help is available. Visit the Find Support page of this app for a listing of services in your area.

The most important thing to do is be there for your friend or family member if s/he needs to talk. It is important to remind yourself that you cannot fix it, but you can support your friend if he/she chooses to get help. It can be really tough to watch a friend or loved one struggle with addiction. Remind yourself of the four C’s: you didn’t create it, you didn’t cause it, you can’t cure it and you can’t control it. If your loved one is not ready to make changes with his/her substance use, you can still seek support for yourself so that you can learn how to cope and take care of yourself. Having the support of family members and/or friends may help people feel more supported to take steps toward treatment. Here are some simple things to start with:

• Raise your concerns with the person and let him or her know you are available to listen;
• Provide factual information about the consequences or concerns associated with their substance use. If the person gets angry or denies there is a problem, be patient but firm;
• Be positive and encourage change instead of blaming the person or making him or her feel guilty;
• Find out about available treatment programs and tell the person about them; and,
• Learn about the nature of drug abuse and addiction to give yourself a better understanding of the problem and how to best deal with it.

Sometimes you might feel like no one really understands you or your struggles. Many people question their use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. Some people are able to overcome their problems on their own, or with self-help materials. Most of us need support from other people, family members, friends, therapists, and medical professionals. You are not alone and help is available. There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to addiction treatment. Choosing the appropriate treatment depends on the severity and type of addiction; the support available from family, friends and others; and the person’s motivation to change. Examples of help available include self-help materials, self-help groups, harm reduction approaches, professional individual or group counselling, education, medication, withdrawal management, and other holistic treatments. Change is a process and relapse can be part of the process, but recovery is possible. Visit the Find Support page of this app for a listing of services in your area.