Addiction: alcohol and drugs
Drug addiction is a generic term to identify any dependency on a psychotropic substance, such as alcohol, psychotropic drugs or illicit drugs (Health Canada, Best Practices – Methadone Maintenance Treatment, Ottawa, Canada’s Drug Strategy Division, 2002, p. 4).
The consumption of psychotropic substances has serious negative effects on psychological functioning. It is widely known that consumption leads to symptoms, depressive and anxiety syndroms. Cognitive after-effects are also frequently observed. (Fédération québécoise des Centres de réadaptation pour personnes alcooliques et autres toxicomanes http://www.fqcrpat.org/conceptiontoxico.php )
In The Human Face of Mental Health and Mental Illness in Canada 2006, the Government of Canada states that:
“The relationship between mental illnesses and problematic substance use is complex. For some people, mental health problems can be risk factors for problematic substance use; for others, problematic substance use contributes to the appearance of mental health problems.
Substance use, which is neither abuse nor dependence, may also interfere with the recovery of some people with mental illness and is therefore an important consideration in treatment. Substances may also interact with psychotropic medications, reducing their efficacy.
According to the 2002 Mental Health and Well-being survey (ESCC 1.2), around one adult in 10 with anxiety disorders (9.6%) or mood disorders (11.3%) met the criteria of substance dependence in the last 12 months. This proportion was higher than among the general population presenting symptoms of substance dependency (3.0%)
Among alcoholics, 15% had also suffered from depression in the past year, compared to 4.8% among the general population. Depression was even more prevalent (26%) among people who are dependent on illegal drugs. Women who are dependent on alcohol were twice as likely as men to also suffer from depression.” (Government of Canada, The Human Face of Mental Illness in Canada 2006, p. 141 or http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/human-humain06/pdf/human_face_e.pdf )
To find out more about alcohol and drugs
Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
The Centre is a non-profit organization that attempts to reduce the harm related to the use of abuse, tobacco and other drugs.
http://www.ccsa.ca/
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
For new and current information on the issues surrounding drug addiction and mental health.
www.camh.net/About_Addiction_Mental_Health/index.html
The Centre de documentation en toxicomanie and Centre de réadaptation en toxicomanie Dollard-Cormier de Montréal share this site, providing the necessary information for people who need help or are interested in the subject.
www.centredollardcormier.qc.ca/
For emergencies: Drug addiction emergency: 514.288.1515
For requests for information regarding services for people under 21:
Programme Jeunesse 514.982.1232
Youth programs are available for people under 21.
Phone number in Montreal: 514.385.1232 (Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
By e-mail: cqdt.cdc@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Drugs: help and referral
Confidential, free and bilingual on-line service, 24 hours a day, seven days a week:
Phone number in Montreal: 514.527.2626
Phone number outside Montreal: 1.800.265.2626
By e-mail:dar@info-reference.qc.ca
www.drogue-aidereference.qc.ca
La Maison Jean Lapointe fights alcoholism and drug addiction. This site has useful references for all of Quebec.
www.maisonjeanlapointe.com
The consumption of psychotropic substances has serious negative effects on psychological functioning. It is widely known that consumption leads to symptoms, depressive and anxiety syndroms. Cognitive after-effects are also frequently observed. (Fédération québécoise des Centres de réadaptation pour personnes alcooliques et autres toxicomanes http://www.fqcrpat.org/conceptiontoxico.php )
In The Human Face of Mental Health and Mental Illness in Canada 2006, the Government of Canada states that:
“The relationship between mental illnesses and problematic substance use is complex. For some people, mental health problems can be risk factors for problematic substance use; for others, problematic substance use contributes to the appearance of mental health problems.
Substance use, which is neither abuse nor dependence, may also interfere with the recovery of some people with mental illness and is therefore an important consideration in treatment. Substances may also interact with psychotropic medications, reducing their efficacy.
According to the 2002 Mental Health and Well-being survey (ESCC 1.2), around one adult in 10 with anxiety disorders (9.6%) or mood disorders (11.3%) met the criteria of substance dependence in the last 12 months. This proportion was higher than among the general population presenting symptoms of substance dependency (3.0%)
Among alcoholics, 15% had also suffered from depression in the past year, compared to 4.8% among the general population. Depression was even more prevalent (26%) among people who are dependent on illegal drugs. Women who are dependent on alcohol were twice as likely as men to also suffer from depression.” (Government of Canada, The Human Face of Mental Illness in Canada 2006, p. 141 or http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/human-humain06/pdf/human_face_e.pdf )
To find out more about alcohol and drugs
Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
The Centre is a non-profit organization that attempts to reduce the harm related to the use of abuse, tobacco and other drugs.
http://www.ccsa.ca/
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
For new and current information on the issues surrounding drug addiction and mental health.
www.camh.net/About_Addiction_Mental_Health/index.html
The Centre de documentation en toxicomanie and Centre de réadaptation en toxicomanie Dollard-Cormier de Montréal share this site, providing the necessary information for people who need help or are interested in the subject.
www.centredollardcormier.qc.ca/
For emergencies: Drug addiction emergency: 514.288.1515
For requests for information regarding services for people under 21:
Programme Jeunesse 514.982.1232
Youth programs are available for people under 21.
Phone number in Montreal: 514.385.1232 (Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
By e-mail: cqdt.cdc@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Drugs: help and referral
Confidential, free and bilingual on-line service, 24 hours a day, seven days a week:
Phone number in Montreal: 514.527.2626
Phone number outside Montreal: 1.800.265.2626
By e-mail:dar@info-reference.qc.ca
www.drogue-aidereference.qc.ca
La Maison Jean Lapointe fights alcoholism and drug addiction. This site has useful references for all of Quebec.
www.maisonjeanlapointe.com