No matter your situation, it’s important to know that you are not alone. Substance use is a very serious issue that one in five Canadians experience, but addiction affects a larger population than just the individuals experiencing it. The families and loved ones of these affected individuals are also seriously afflicted. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction and/or substance use, our resources may help.

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Resources
Stats on Addiction in Canada

This TED Talk by Sam Fowler depicts the effects of addiction in families. She speaks about her brother who is in active addiction, the stigma around addiction and substance use, and how it can be dangerous for family members of the user as well. Sam does a great job of showing that addiction has many faces and is not something that should to be hidden or kept a secret. Addiction thrives in darkness, but people are often too afraid or ashamed to bring it to the light. Sam suggests we can shed light on the situation by talking about substance use and accepting addiction for the disease that it is, instead of letting fear and shame keep it in the dark.

Moore, J. (2021, December 12). Statistics on Addiction in Canada. Calgary Dream Centre. https://calgarydreamcentre.com/statistics-on-addiction-in-canada

TEDx Talks. (2018, March 18). Sam Fowler: Wasted: Exposing the Family Effect of Addiction | TED Talk [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qI-Qn7xass