Substance Abuse Support in Canada

There is a growing agreement in Canada that problematic substance use is a health issue that can be prevented, managed, and treated, and that requires a health focused response. The Government of Canada recognizes that there is an opportunity to do a better job of protecting and supporting Canadians who are affected by substance use (Health Canada, n.d.). Primarily, addressing the root causes of problematic substance abuse is important. While broad-based awareness campaigns have shown limited effectiveness, targeted communication of accurate and trusted information on the impacts of problematic substance use can reduce its associated harms (Health Canada, n.d.). To date, educating Canadians about the potential risks of substance use through information and awareness campaigns such as those targeting opioids, cannabis use, and impaired driving has been the focus of many prevention initiatives, for example the Don't Drive High campaign (Health Canada, n.d.).

It is widely recognized that stigma around substance abuse and addiction in health care needs to be addressed. For example, stigma in the health care system may lead to the denial of health services if a health care provider does not offer treatment options based on an assumption that the patient is "drug seeking" or is assumed to be under the influence of alcohol (Whiteford et al., 2013). This can cause people who use substances to be reluctant to use the health care system. This added barrier to accessing health care or social services needs to be looked at via health authorities. Having trained staff in mental health and addictions readily accessible in emergency departments or walk in clinics is an important tool in caring for these patients. In my line of work, nurses/physicians/health care workers are spending most of their careers caring for this patient population without adequate training to do so. There needs to be more training specifically for nurses and physicians to care for patients with addiction issues to make sure they have the appropriate resources in hospital and outside of hospital.

Health care professionals can look to a variety of interventions to treat pain, including opioid medications. Opioids can be effective in managing pain for some Canadians, allowing them to lead full and productive lives; however, as with all medications, opioids have risks and potentially dangerous side effects (Whiteford et al., 2013). In health care today, as a society need to look at other options besides just prescribing opioid medications, especially to high risk individuals and patient populations. There needs to be more focus on other treatments may also help individuals manage their pain, such as physical therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, meditation, and relaxation techniques; however, these therapies may not be offered everywhere, or they may be cost-prohibitive for some patients (Whiteford et al., 2013).

Reducing stigma is key to effectively addressing problematic substance use, and is a critical step in recognizing the fundamental rights and dignity of all Canadians, including those who use substances (Health Canada, n.d.). People who use substances, the families of people struggling with substance use, and people in recovery provide a unique and valuable perspective that can help ensure a more compassionate and effective approach to substance use issues (Health Canada, n.d.). How as a society and health care workers talk about addiction issues should be addressed in the workplace. All health care workers should be educated and must take mandatory training on how to care for patients with substance abuse problems and their families (Health Canada, n.d.).

Lastly, health care providers and the health care system need to offer treatment options to address the individual needs of people who use substances. Screening and early intervention, management of withdraw symptoms, and long term care and follow up are things that improve the chances of successful recovery (Health Canada, n.d.). Medical and non medical treatments should be more easily accessible and more commonly talked about within this patient population (Health Canada, n.d.). Health care providers should be educated on the supports and treatments such as medications, ways to prevent overdoses, and ways to help manage withdraw symptoms.

References

Health Canada. (n.d.). Strengthening Canada’s Approach to Substance Use Issues -

Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/use/canadian-

substances-strategy/strengthening-canada-approach-substance-use-issue.html

Whiteford, H. A., Degenhardt, L., Rehm, J., Baxter, A. J., Ferrari, A. J., Erskine, Charlson, J.,

Norman, R. E., Flaxman, A. D., Johns, N., Burstein, R., Murray, C. J., & Vos, T. (2013).

Global burden of disease attributable to mental and substance use disorders: findings

from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010. The Lancet, 382(9904), 1575–1586.

Photo from: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(13)61611-6