Drug Addiction in Canada

Addiction to drugs in Canada, both prescription and street drugs, is not a small statistic. The availability of drugs in Canada is widespread, and has resulted in steadily increasing numbers of Canadian drug addicts. This trend poses danger to Canadians as more and more street drugs are developed through questionable chemical processes, and the Western mentality of depending on prescription drugs does not seem to be fading any time soon.

Street drugs that are sold on the black market are typically the ones associated with drug addiction. All of North America has access to a wide range of street drugs, but some are particularly prevalent in Canada. Cannabis is the most commonly abused illegal substance in Canada. In fact, Canada is the country most associated with cannabis use in the entire world, primarily because it is located in a region that produces particularly potent cannabis plants. Canada also contains high levels of cocaine, meth and heroin use.

Although street drugs are commonly thought of when discussing Canadian drug addiction, the truth is it is prescription drug abuse that is rising faster in Canadian drug addiction statistics, and through out all of North America. Medical and mental health professionals are unsure why this trend is on the rise. Some parallel the trend to the rising trend of anxiety and claim that the ability to cope with hardship and with pain is drastically declining, therefore making people hyper-dependent on their medications. This is also the most dangerous drug addiction problem in Canada, causing a higher mortality rate than street drugs do.

Understanding Canada’s drug problems requires an understanding of why people abuse drugs in the first place. Psychological problems heavily influence drug abuse problems, and confronting them has proven to be the only permanent way of ridding yourself of drug addiction. Through out Canada are some of North America’s highest rated addiction rehab facilities and substance abuse treatment centers that can lead you through your addiction problems and into the light of recovery. If you are a Canadian who is struggling with a drug addiction, seek out the services of treatment centers in AB, detox centers in QC or drug rehabs in BC.

Addiction Treatment in Canada

Canada is often discussed in the global media as one of the best countries in the world to live in, and one of the only countries where residents are still surprised when something goes wrong. Still, despite, how desirable Canadian residency is, its population still has its share of struggles, addiction being one of them. Canada is known as the most marijuana addicted country in the world, as well as a nation that struggles with alcoholism and a number of other addictive tendencies. Fortunately for Canadians, both the private and the public sector provide some of the best addiction treatment services in North America.

Canadian rehabs are taken very seriously. As a country with a reputation for accessible medical and mental health care, Canada’s addiction treatment services are of good quality at every income level. Every province and territory offers government funded rehabilitation services for those who are low income or have minimal recovery needs. Every region of Canada also offers private rehabs, detox centers and treatment facilities for those who are looking for a recovery experience more tailored to their needs. An individual may need a drug rehab in Alberta, a detox center in Quebec or an alcohol treatment center BC.

British Columbia is the province that has been found to have the worst substance abuse problems. This is a trend for all North American countries in the areas along the Pacific coast. Drug problems in particular are more extreme in British Columbia than anywhere else in Canada. In response to this problem, some of Canada’s finest addiction treatment facilities are located in British Columbia, ranging from basic and located within dense cities, to luxurious and found in exclusive, scenic locations.

Canada is a very unified nation compared to many others, with social sensibilities far stronger than those of the United States. Addiction, as difficult as it is too overcome, will not change that. Those who are struggling with addiction in Canada should be made aware of how accessible and reputable its addiction treatment organizations are and receive the help they need to overcome addiction today.

Other Types of Addiction in Canada

Addiction is not regional to one demographic. Addiction is found in every region of the world at every level of society. Canadian people are susceptible to every kind of addiction, ranging from drugs, to alcohol to a great many more. Although drugs and alcohol are the most common addictions in Canada, there are a few others that are found to be particularly widespread through out Canada and much of North America. These addictions are sex, gambling, cell phones and the internet.

Sex is a very widespread addiction through out the world, and Canada is no exception. A large number of Canadians seek treatment for sex addiction, and many more are in need of it. Sex addiction is when a person compulsively involves themselves in and focuses on a particular sexual fascination. This is not limited to intercourse with other people. Sexual addiction can be to masturbation, pornography or a wide range of sexual fetishes.

Gambling addiction is another common addiction among Canadians and North Americans. Like sex addiction, it is an addiction to a behavior instead of a substance, but unlike sex addiction, it is not as direct a release of the brain chemical dopamine that indicates pleasure. A gambling addiction creates pleasure feelings through a long process of anticipation and suspense. There is a type of addict that is heavily drawn to risk taking, and those who develop a gambling addiction fit into this category.

Canadians and North Americans love their cell phones and internet, apparently a little too much. Addiction to these types of communication devices and digital mediums is increasing along with technological advances. Cell phone addiction is qualified by how heavily a person relies on their phone for communication, information and entertainment. Internet addiction is qualified by how heavily a person is on the internet to use social media sites and browsers by choice.

A number of addictions are found within the Canadian population, but every single one of them is treatable. Addiction is caused by underlying psychological, emotional, behavioral and environmental factors which can be eradicated through cognitive behavioral therapy and counseling. If you or a fellow Canadian in your life is struggling with addiction, reach out to an addiction treatment facility today.

Alcohol Addiction in Canada

Addiction to alcohol, or alcoholism, is one of the most prevalent addictions in Canada. This is for a number of reasons. Alcoholism was present even at the time Canada was forming as a country. The European nations that colonized Canada brought with them a love for the drink, and it became as established a tradition in Canada as it had been in the older countries. Though many of these countries that helped lay the foundation for Canada as a nation currently have worse problems with alcoholism than Canada does, Canada still makes the list of the top thirty countries that struggle with alcoholism.

Many Canadians attribute their alcohol tradition to the cold weather. This may seem like a way of excusing an alcohol addiction, but statistically, it is in line with other cold weather countries. Cold weather countries have a tendency to have a higher rate of alcohol consumption than warm weather countries. Alcohol is known to give off a feeling of “false warmth,” reducing the sensation of cold. This could be why cold weather countries consume more of it, or it could be simply because the alcohol is a way of amusing people indoors during winter months. For whatever reason, alcohol has a heavy draw to Canadians, and its sales only increase during the cold season.

Alcoholism certainly causes its share of problems in Canada. A large majority of domestic disputes and violent episodes involve alcohol. A huge number of arrests are made daily for crimes fueled by alcohol consumption. Suicides, depression and seasonal disorders are also increased in Canada due to alcohol. Fortunately, significant efforts are being made to treat alcoholism and give people the tools necessary to return to a sober way of life. Because alcohol is one of the most accessible means of escaping from problems, many people prefer it to healthy coping skills. But thanks to comprehensive treatment efforts, there is hope for Canadians who are struggling with an addiction to alcohol.