Not all people who use substances experience challenges. In fact, people use substances for a variety of reasons including relaxation, enhancing social experiences, exploring new ideas, and coping with anxiety or other health-related conditions.

Take alcohol for example – many people use this mind-altering substance in safe and enjoyable ways.

For some however, substance use has the potential to lead to addiction and other unhappy and unhealthy experiences.

More and more, problematic substance use is understood as a response to a variety of life circumstances including grief, trauma, and abuse.

What causes addiction?

Addiction is complex. There are a range of personal, social, economic, and environmental factors that influence how substance use affects someone.

Every person’s experience is different and everyone has the right to control their own health and wellbeing, including when it comes to substance use and addiction.

Addiction is a health condition. When someone uses substances, changes can occur in their brain, making it challenging for them to stop using substances, especially if they don’t have access to supports to reduce harm or begin their recovery.

Some of the factors that may contribute to substance use include:

• Traumatic events
• Childhood trauma
• Intergenerational trauma
• Physical pain
• Mental health challenges
• Notions of masculinity

Find help for addiction

• Find Opioid Agonist Treatment Clinics that are accepting new patients. 
• Call the Opioid Treatment Access Line at 1-833-804-8111 for same-day support 
• Learn about treatment and supportive recovery services and find a list of services throughout B.C.
• Call 8-1-1 for information on recovery and addiction treatment services in your area, or to speak to a registered nurse or pharmacist.