Recognizing The Symptoms

What are the Signs of Addiction?

According to a report published by Health Canada, toxic street drugs including fentanyl, killed nearly 20 Canadians per day in the first six months of 2022. The fear of losing someone to addiction is in the hearts and minds of many Canadians. Determining whether someone you love has an issue with addiction and needs help, can be very difficult.

Addiction is clinically referred to as a ‘substance use disorder’ and is a complex need of the brain and body that involves the compulsive use of one or more substances despite serious health and social consequences.

The signs of addiction are not always easy to recognize. Some people may not even be aware that they are struggling with drug addiction or alcoholism. The signs of addiction may include changes in weight, insomnia, mood swings or depression. However, the most common sign of addiction is the inability to stop using harmful substances despite knowing the negative consequences of use.

How to Talk to a Loved One

“At Teen Challenge, we know that it is not easy to talk to a loved one about getting help with their addiction. It can be a difficult conversation and it’s important that you are prepared for it,” says Mark Webb, Director of Program for Teen Challenge Canada.

If you want to encourage your loved one to get help, some of the benefits you can offer to them about Teen Challenge Canada include its yearlong, three-phase core program, which provides time for clients to heal physically, spiritually, and mentally.

To get help today, visit teenchallenge.ca/gethelp