Addiction Solutions

No one intends to become addicted to substances. Instead the initial drinking or drug use was fun, comforting or a much needed escape. However, as many as 21.6% of Canadians will start to lose control over their substance use*. I spent the first four years of my undergrad education trying to understand the multitude of influences that make good people vulnerable to substance use struggles. These include neurobiological factors, trauma, lack of healthy coping skills, untreated mental health concerns, broken sense of self, lack of purpose, environmental influences and interpersonal struggles. A thorough assessment to determine what factors may have triggered or are maintaining your personal substance use is therefore imperative to developing an effective treatment plan. Reduction or abstinence from substances almost always involves addressing these numerous biological, psychological and social factors that have maintained your substance use, so you can rediscover your best self.

Experiences Consistent with Addiction Include:

-unsuccessful attempts to stop or reduce use

-consuming thoughts about the substance

-increase in risk taking behaviour

-interference in daily activities

-friends, family or colleagues have expressed concerns about your use

-loss of hobbies or interests

-financial stressors related to use

-continued use despite health problems

Addiction can occur independently or comorbidly with any other clinical mental health disorder. Common co-occuring disorders may include:

-Major Depression

-Social or Generalized Anxiety

-Bipolar Disorder

-Schizophrenia

-PTSD

-Borderline Personality Disorder

*Canadian Alcohol and Drug Use Monitoring Survey 2012