Addiction is one problem most people battle with. This word is of a Latin origin, which means to be “bound to” or “enslaved by”. It is not uncommon to find many individuals from different societal classes, subjected to drug and alcohol abuse – regardless of the consequences. According to a 2012 survey on alcohol and drug use in Canada, about 21.6% of the population suffered from substance abuse disorder, while, in actuality, 8 million Canadians battle addiction – an alarming figure. Contrary to most addicts’ beliefs in not hurting anyone but themselves, quite many ill-fated events stem from substance abuse, including reckless driving, which leads to the loss of lives and properties.
Understanding Addiction Better
Most people engage in alcohol or drugs for so many reasons, some of which include to manage stress, have fun, relax, or experiment. However, the dangers of engaging in such acts boil down to an individual depending heavily on such toxic substances. Over time, this over dependence alters the person’s reasoning and behavioural pattern. Substance abuse has led to several mental and societal detriments, including organ damage, broken homes, loss of jobs, financial loss, mental illnesses, diseases, and damage to the nervous system. An addict finds it challenging to live a healthy lifestyle. To understand how addiction works, it is essential to look at how it affects an individual.
- People who suffer from substance abuse may have strong cravings for such toxic substances, like alcohol or drugs.
- Such persons may have the compulsion to use these substances.
- They hardly stand the chance against continuous substance use, regardless of the side-effects.
- They have no control over the amount of substance intake, or its frequency.
With these challenges in view, it is clear that addiction poses a serious problem in society, and measures should be put in place to curtail this personal and societal issue.
How Drugs and Alcohol Affect Canadians
It is no news that Canada manufactures drugs – and not the prescription variant. According to the United Nations, the Great White North, a nickname for this country, produces methamphetamines and ecstasy on a large scale. Even when the demand for narcotics and cannabis nosedived in 2011, citizens witnessed an increase in the demand for meth and MDMA (as it was initially known) soared beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. A surprising fact is that this vibrant country moves a large portion of her produced drugs to the United States, which is not limited to land transport. Another shocking fact is that 85% of seized methamphetamines (a potentially recreational, but illegal drug) come from Canada.
The dangers of these hard drugs cannot be overemphasized, as they leave their victims with virtually nothing. The number of addiction cases in Canada is at an all-time high. Millions of Canadians and their households battle substance abuse, with clinics left to manage the swelling records. Worse still, the side-effects of these toxic substances are highly volatile and unpredictable.
Another area of challenge most Canadian residents face is alcohol abuse. This act accounts for daily fatal car accidents, resulting in the loss of four lives. It is worth noting that driving under the influence of toxic substances (either alcohol or drugs, or both) led to 2,430 deaths in 2013. Understanding the dangers of drug and substance abuse, it is vital to have rehabilitation centres that will cater to patients suffering from addiction.
Searching for Rehabs in Canada
Canadians who struggle with addiction can seek quality treatment from rehabilitation centres in Canada. Addiction cases and their severities vary from one person to another. As a result, the treatment program will be different as well. Canadian rehabs offer fast, affordable, and efficient services to inpatients and outpatients. Medical services in Canada receive funding either privately or publicly. Medicare Canada (a publicly-funded healthcare system), amongst other disorders, insures addiction and mental disorders. This service implies that the government fully caters to the health and financial needs of Canadians seeking treatment. The downside to such provision is prolonged wait times, unlike the private healthcare sector that provide immediate attention. However, the patient would have to cover the medical cost.
Getting Treatment from Rehabilitation Centres
When it comes to addressing substance abuse and addiction, the Canadian Government implements the following four backbones:
- Prevention
- Treatment
- Harm reduction
- Enforcement
Hence, a patient suffering from addiction can undergo an examination to determine the area of substance abuse and the level of dependence. Individuals with a complex and long-term reliance on toxic substances have to check-in at the nearest residential rehabilitation centre. There are various treatment approaches and programs geared toward addressing a patient’s needs.
To begin with, the individual has to undergo detoxification. During this treatment phase, the body gets rid of toxic substances, while managing the potentially harmful adverse effects associated with abstinence. However, this treatment is not enough to treat a patient fully. If not followed up, such a person may experience detrimental social, psychological, and behavioural effects. To prevent such outcomes, the doctor administers effective medications that will place the addict on a recovery path. Such medications address withdrawal symptoms associated with the following substances:
- Alcohol
- Opioids
- Nicotine
- Benzodiazepines
- Barbiturates
Both inpatients and outpatients can seek counselling from specialized doctors at Canadian rehabilitation centres. In some cases, such appointments may occur daily, while others may be some days in the week, depending on the type and level of addiction. The counsellors identify underlying causes of these addictions, some of which may be physical or psychological. By addressing these issues, it is easy for a patient to experience a full recovery.
Patients may undergo private or group therapy – the latter being possible for a large group of people with a similar type of addiction. As such, it is easy to connect with other people who share the same problem. By doing so, a patient can recover fully, over time. Rehab counsellors help patients identify and combat emotional and psychological factors that may trigger substance abuse and addiction. They help these individuals develop the necessary skills needed to manage such problems. These coping mechanisms vary from one patient to another and are effective in preventing relapses.
For patients whose addictions stem from negative habits, they can develop the right mindset to address their issues. In some cases, these individuals may have to take up new activities or even let go of specific unhealthy routines, especially those that tend to build stress.