By Sarah Bonato, Reference/Research Librarian, CAMH Library
Approximately 21% of the population in Canada (about 6 million people) will meet the criteria for addiction in their lifetime. (Statistics Canada, 2015—Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders in Canada). During National Addictions Awareness Week, the goal is to dispel some of the deeply held stereotypes we have about addiction.
See below for a selection of research resources for increasing awareness and hearing from Canadians who have experience with addiction.
Life in Recovery From Addiction in Canada (2017)
From Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
- A report on the personal experience of recovering from substance abuse, including system/personal barriers to recovery, relapse, and factors important to sustaining recovery. Over 800 participants completed the online survey on recovery and answered questions about their quality of life, physical health, age of first substance use, types of treatment utilized and their supports for maintaining recovery. This report is the first of its kind in Canada and is an especially good resource for understanding what life in recovery means
Access at http://www.ccsa.ca/Resource Library/CCSA-Life-in-Recovery-from-Addiction-Report-2017-en.pdf
Stigma, Discrimination and Substance Abuse: Experiences of People Who Use Drugs and Alcohol in Toronto (2010)
From the Toronto Drug Strategy Implementation Panel
- The goal of this research was to hear directly from people about their experiences in order to identify the types, sources and impact of stigma and discrimination. Potential solutions for combatting stigma and discrimination is also discussed. Although an older report, its value should not be underestimated. 60 individuals participated in focus groups and this research provides valuable insight on how participants may sometimes feel stigmatized by family, law enforcement, housing providers and social services.
Access at https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/93e2-stigmadiscrim_rep_2010_aoda.pdf
Opioids in Canada: One-in-Eight have Family or Close Friends who Faced Addiction (2017)
From the Angus Reid Institute
- This recent public opinion poll found that significant number of Canadians have close
friends or family who have become dependent on opiates—approximately 1 in 8 Canadians said they have a close friend or family member who has been dependent on or addicted to opiates. Info on the support for supervised injection facilities, mandatory treatment, and needed government response is also included.
Access at http://angusreid.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2018.01.11-opioids.pdf
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