On This Page :
How do I know if my substance use is a
problem?
How do I know if I need treatment?
Where can I get an addiction assessment
or find out about treatment?
What happens in treatment?
How much does treatment cost?
How long do I stay in treatment?
How do I know if I need help with withdrawal?
Where can I get information about substance
use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
I’ve been told I might have to wait weeks
or months to get into a treatment program. What can I do right now?
I’ve been through treatment before. What’s
the use in trying again?
How do I know if my substance use is a problem?
If you think your substance use may be causing problems in your life, try the following
questionnaire, called the CAGE (each letter stands for a key word in the four questions):
1. Have you ever tried to cut down on your drinking or other drug use or gambling?
2. Have you ever felt angry at or annoyed by someone else’s comments about your
drinking or other drug use or gambling?
3. Have you ever felt guilty about your drinking or other drug use or gambling?
4. Have you ever used alcohol or other drugs or gambled as an eye-opener—that is,
have you used or gambled first thing in the morning?
If you answer yes to two or more of these questions, you may have a substance use
or gambling problem. Even a “yes” answer to one question might be a cause for concern
and worth investigating further.
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How do I know if I need treatment?
If you feel that substance use or gambling is causing problems in your life and
that you are unable to control your use, see a trained counselor for an assessment.
The assessment gathers information about your use and related problems and other
factors in your life, such as your personal strengths and supports. From this information,
you and your assessment counselor can decide whether you might benefit from treatment
or other support.
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Where can I get an addiction assessment or find out about treatment?
To find assessment and treatment services in your community, click on the map provided
to find aid in your area.
⇒ Talk to your doctor. Some doctors may be able to provide
treatment, but most will refer you to a specialized treatment service.
⇒ Visit a community health centre; the staff can provide you
with advice and information.
⇒ Ask people you know who have been through treatment. The
online chat can provide some direction. They can give you some ideas about where
to go for help and what they experienced.
⇒ Call your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) if you have
one. Many employers offer EAP, which can link you with an assessment or treatment
service.
⇒ Look in the Yellow Pages under “Addiction” to find your
local referral service.
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What happens in treatment?
Each treatment service is different, but all have trained staff who will:
⇒ explore how alcohol and other drugs and gambling affect
your life
⇒ plan treatment with you
⇒ link you to other services that you might need
⇒ help you learn skills for leading a healthy, balanced life
⇒ help you set and meet your goals
⇒ provide individual and/or group counseling
⇒ offer support and information for family members
⇒ help you to learn how to avoid or cope with slips or relapses
⇒ prepare a plan for what will happen after treatment.
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How much does treatment cost?
Fees vary by country, state and region. We will endeavor to provide information
and direction on this site to help to determine. Please send us and email if you
have a specific question that we will try and get the answers or direction to the
answers for you.
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How long do I stay in treatment?
How long you stay in treatment depends on the service and on how much help you need
to achieve your goals. Treatment can range from a few weeks to several months or
longer.
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How do I know if I need help with withdrawal?
Withdrawal symptoms are more likely if the addiction is stopped suddenly, rather
than reduced over time. Symptoms of withdrawal vary. They depend on the substance
used, the health of the person and other factors. If within hours or days of stopping
use you feel ill and distressed, you may wish to seek withdrawal management support
(also known as detoxification or detox). If you can’t access a withdrawal management
service right away, try a hospital emergency department. Emergency medical staff
are also trained in assessing and helping people in withdrawal.
Withdrawal services can be medical or non-medical, depending on your needs. They
can even be managed in your own home. Medical withdrawal management is the safest
route if you:
⇒ have a history of severe withdrawal (e.g., seizures or hallucinations)
⇒ are dependent on more than one drug
⇒ have a physical illness that withdrawal symptoms would worsen
(e.g., heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure)
⇒ are pregnant.
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Where can I get information about substance use during pregnancy
or while breastfeeding?
Using alcohol or other drugs while pregnant or during breastfeeding can harm the
baby.
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I’ve been told I might have to wait weeks or months to get into
a treatment program. What can I do right now?
Waiting periods for formal treatment programs are typical, and can be distressing.
Immediate support is available from withdrawal management services and self-help
meetings (see Resources above for a list of self-help organizations). Some treatment
programs offer orientation (or “getting started”) groups that you can attend while
you are on the waiting list. While you are waiting, get all the support you can
from your family and friends who do not use substances, and/or your faith community.
Try counseling services outside of the addiction treatment system, such as those
available through community health centers or your EAP. Live chat, and discussion
groups are extremely useful.
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I’ve been through treatment before. What’s the use in trying again?
Some people think that completing a treatment program and then returning to substance
use or gambling means that the treatment didn’t work. They see no point in trying
again. However, while returning to the behavior after treatment can be discouraging,
it is common and is not a reason to give up hope. Lasting success usually takes
more than one—or even several—treatment experiences or attempts to quit or cut down.
Sometimes a different treatment approach is more effective; for example, one that
is more specific to you. Sometimes people return later to the same treatment program
and have greater success. The most important thing is to keep trying. Lasting change
is possible.
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