BREAKINGBREAKINGBREAKING THE CHAINSTHE CHAINSTHE CHAINS BREAKING THE CHAINSOF SUBSTANCE USEOF SUBSTANCE USEOF SUBSTANCE USE
WHAT IS AWHAT IS AWHAT IS A SUBSTANCE?SUBSTANCE?SUBSTANCE? WHAT IS A SUBSTANCE?A substance is a chemical orA substance is a chemical or compound that may change howcompound that may change how your body or brain functions.your body or brain functions. A substance is a chemical or compound that may change how your body or brain functions.(Government of Canada, 2024)
SUBSTANCE USE: The use of any substance (illegal, legal, herbal, prescribed, etc.). The affects may be beneficial or harmful. TOLERANCE: Occurs when the body becomes accustomed to substance use, and requires a higher amount for similar effects. DEPENDENCE: Occurs when substance(s) are used for an extended period and the body relies on it for functioning. The effects may be beneficial or harmful. MISUSE: Occurs when substances are taken against intended purpose, dose, frequency, etc. ADDICTION: Occurs when substance use becomes compulsive and continuous despite negative impacts. SUBSTANCE USE: The use of any substance (illegal, legal, herbal, prescribed, etc.). The affects may be beneficial or harmful. TOLERANCE: Occurs when the body becomes accustomed to substance use, and requires a higher amount for similar effects. DEPENDENCE: Occurs when substance(s) are used for an extended period and the body relies on it for functioning. The effects may be beneficial or harmful. MISUSE: Occurs when substances are taken against intended purpose, dose, frequency, etc. ADDICTION: Occurs when substance use becomes compulsive and continuous despite negative impacts. WHAT IS SUBSTANCE USE & SUBSTANCE MISUSE?WHAT IS SUBSTANCE USE & SUBSTANCE MISUSE?WHAT IS SUBSTANCE USE & SUBSTANCE MISUSE?WHAT IS SUBSTANCE USE & SUBSTANCE MISUSE? (Stamler et al., 2020 and Government of Canada, 2024)
CHANGES IN BEHAVIOUR OR PERSONALITY WITHDRAWING FROM USUAL ACTIVITIES DECLINE IN PERFORMANCE RISK TAKING & IMPULSIVITY CHANGES IN BEHAVIOUR OR PERSONALITY WITHDRAWING FROM USUAL ACTIVITIES DECLINE IN PERFORMANCE RISK TAKING & IMPULSIVITY SIGNS OF SUBSTANCE MISUSE:SIGNS OF SUBSTANCE MISUSE:SIGNS OF SUBSTANCE MISUSE:SIGNS OF SUBSTANCE MISUSE: STEALING MONEY/OBJECTS CHANGES IN APPETITE CHANGES IN SLEEP CHANGES IN APPEARANCE (BLOODSHOT EYES, PUPIL SIZE, HYGIENE, WEIGHT) UNEXPLAINED INJURIES, ACCIDENTS, AND/OR CONFLICT. STEALING MONEY/OBJECTS CHANGES IN APPETITE CHANGES IN SLEEP CHANGES IN APPEARANCE (BLOODSHOT EYES, PUPIL SIZE, HYGIENE, WEIGHT) UNEXPLAINED INJURIES, ACCIDENTS, AND/OR CONFLICT. IMPAIRED COORDINATION FREQUENT ACCIDENTS CHANGES IN MENTAL HEALTH (MOOD, AGITATION, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, STRESS, CONCENTRATION, MEMORY, MOTIVATION, ) CHANGES IN RELATIONSHIP(S) IMPAIRED COORDINATION FREQUENT ACCIDENTS CHANGES IN MENTAL HEALTH (MOOD, AGITATION, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, STRESS, CONCENTRATION, MEMORY, MOTIVATION, ) CHANGES IN RELATIONSHIP(S) (Government of Canada, 2024)
RISKS OFRISKS OFRISKS OF SUBSTANCE USE &SUBSTANCE USE &SUBSTANCE USE & SUBSTANCE MISUSE:SUBSTANCE MISUSE:SUBSTANCE MISUSE: RISKS OF SUBSTANCE USE & SUBSTANCE MISUSE: DEPENDENCEDEPENDENCE ADDICTIONADDICTION WITHDRAWALWITHDRAWAL ILLNESSILLNESS OVERDOSEOVERDOSE DEATHDEATH INTERPERSONALINTERPERSONAL CONFLICTCONFLICT DEPENDENCE ADDICTION WITHDRAWAL ILLNESS OVERDOSE DEATH INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT BODILY HARMBODILY HARM IMPAIRED JUDGEMENTIMPAIRED JUDGEMENT FINANCIAL ISSUESFINANCIAL ISSUES HOSPITALIZATIONHOSPITALIZATION IMPAIRED MENTALIMPAIRED MENTAL HEALTHHEALTH RISK TAKINGRISK TAKING BEHAVIOURBEHAVIOUR BODILY HARM IMPAIRED JUDGEMENT FINANCIAL ISSUES HOSPITALIZATION IMPAIRED MENTAL HEALTH RISK TAKING BEHAVIOUR (Government of Canada, 2024)
ALCOHOL ER VISITS/ 100 Grey-Bruce SUBSTANCE USE IN GREY-BRUCE:SUBSTANCE USE IN GREY-BRUCE:SUBSTANCE USE IN GREY-BRUCE:SUBSTANCE USE IN GREY-BRUCE: (Government of Canada, 2026 and Public Health Ontario, 2024) 22% 3,501 33.6%4:100OF RESIDENTS OFTEN DRINK HEAVILY. ER VISITS ARE RELATED TO OPIOD USE. ER VISITS RELATED TO ALCOHOL USE IN 2023. OF STUDENTS (GR. 7-12) REPORTED ALCOHOL USE. GREY-BRUCE vs ONTARIO HEAVY DRINKING/ POPULATION 22% GB 16% ON 12.5 GB 7.2 ON OPIOID ER VISITS/ 100 3.98 GB 2.1 ON Ontario
HOW TO HELPHOW TO HELPHOW TO HELP SOMEONE:SOMEONE:SOMEONE: HOW TO HELP SOMEONE: BE PRESENT REMAIN CALM OFFER SUPPORT DO NOT JUDGE ENCOURAGE HELP BE PRESENT REMAIN CALM OFFER SUPPORT DO NOT JUDGE ENCOURAGE HELP LEARN FIRST AID KEEP NALOXONE ON HAND AVOID CONFLICT CALL 911 LEARN FIRST AID KEEP NALOXONE ON HAND AVOID CONFLICT CALL 911 (Stamler et al., 2020)
NEED SUPPORT?NEED SUPPORT?NEED SUPPORT?NEED SUPPORT? CONNEX-ONTARIO PHONE: 1-866-531-2600 OFFERS: 24/7 ADDICTION SERVICE HELPS LOCATE: DETOX, REHAB, COUNSELLING, & OAT CLINICS CHOICES PROGRAM (YOUTH & FAMILY ADDICTION SERVICES) ADDRESS: 1101 2ND AVE E, OWEN SOUND PHONE: 519-371-5487 OFFERS: ▪ ADDICTION COUNSELLING FOR YOUTH ▪ FAMILY SUPPORT ▪ PREVENTATIVE AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS HARM REDUCTION PROGRAM GREY BRUCE PUBLIC HEALTH UNIT PHONE: 519-376-9420 OFFERS: ▪ NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM ▪ NALOXONE KITS ▪ SAFE CONSUMPTION EDUCATION ▪ OUTREACH TO RURAL AREAS M’WIKWEDONG INDIGENOUS FRIENDSHIP CENTRE OF OWEN SOUND PHONE: 519-371-1147 OFFERS: ▪ INDIGENOUS WELLNESS PROGRAMMING ▪ CULTURAL HEALING PRACTICES ▪ ADDICTION SUPPORT SERVICES ▪ PROGRAMS FOR FAMILY & YOUTH NARCOTICS AND ALCOHOL ANOYMOUS SUPPORT GROUPS: HTTPS://NA.ORG/MEETINGSEARCH/ HTTPS://WWW.AA.ORG/FIND-AA OFFERS: PEER SUPPORT GROUPS, SPONSORSHIP, PHYSICAL AND ONLINE SERVICES STILL NEED HELP FINDING THE RIGHT SERVICE? VISIT: HTTPS://211ONTARIO.CA OR CALL: 2-1-1
REFERENCES:REFERENCES:REFERENCES:REFERENCES: Government of Canada. (2024). Canadian substance use statistics (CSUS). https://health -infobase.canada.ca/substance-use/reports/csus/ Government of Canada. (2024). Signs of substance use. https://www.canada.ca Government of Canada. (2026). Substance use: Data compiled from Public Health Ontario, LHIN data, and OSDUHS 2023 Public Health: Grey-Bruce (2026). Community profile. Grey Bruce Public Health. https://www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca Public Health Ontario. (2024). Mental health and substance use emergency department visits: Health equity snapshot. https://www.publichealthontario.ca Stamler, L.L., Dosani,A., Yiu, L., Etowa, J., & Van Daalen-Smith, C. (2020). Community Health Nursing: A Canadian Perspective. (5th Canadian ed.). Toronto, Canada: Pearson.