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What is NAAW?
National Addictions Awareness Week (NAAW) occurs annually in Canada, aiming to increase understanding of addiction and promote solutions to address substance use-related harms. This year, NAAW is November 24-30th, 2024, and the theme is "Forging Connections," to emphasise collaboration among individuals, families, and communities to overcome substance use challenges. NAAW offers an opportunity to learn about prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery which enables a supportive approach to addiction as a treatable medical condition. The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) leads this initiative and develops resources to support these efforts.
What Are The Most Prevalent Addictions in Canada?
Defined by the Canadian government as “a treatable medical condition that affects the brain…involves compulsive and continuous [substance] use despite negative impacts to a person…”, addiction is most prevalent in Canadians aged 15-24. Among Canadian students, the most popular substances used include alcohol (58%), cannabis (35%), non-prescribed pain medications (17%) and tobacco (11.7%). As such, Canadians of this age cohort are more likely to develop addiction to these substances. Recent research also indicates that youth aged 10-24 are more likely to engage in problematic gambling behaviours than older adults. When discussing addiction, it is critical to understand that recovery is possible especially when family and friends encourage someone with a substance use disorder to seek help.
Resources for Help with Addiction
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are fortunately many resources that you can seek out for help. If you are from Ontario, ConnexOntario is a helpline that offers 24/7 mental health and addiction services, connecting people to counselling, treatment, and crisis support options across the province. If you are from BC, British Columbia’s Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service is another 24/7 helpline that connects people with resources for addiction support. Broader resources which exist across Canada include Kids Help Phone, which is another helpline catered to young people specifically, Salvation Army treatment programs, and self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and SMART Recovery Canada.
Helpful Links
https://bhn.cmha.ca/events/national-addictions-awareness-week-naaw-is-november-24-30-2024/
https://amho.ca/government-submissions/health-canada-national-addictions-awarenessweek/#:~:text=This%20week%20is%20National%20Addictions,reduce%20substance%20use%2Drelated%20harms.
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