Addiction, as defined in the DSM-5, is a substance use disorder—a pattern of harmful substance use that leads to distress or problems in daily life, marked by things like cravings, loss of control, and continued use despite negative consequences.
Tips & Links
Addiction is considered a chronic illness because it involves long-term changes in the brain, requires ongoing management, and often includes cycles of relapse and recovery.
Learn More
- Addiction is a medical condition, not a weakness, affecting brain function and behavior. It can happen to anyone, regardless of age, background, or lifestyle.
- Be aware that some people with addiction started using substances to cope with stress, trauma, mental health issues, or pain. Learn more about the causes of addiction from Help Starts Here a resource by the Government of BC.
- Know that addiction may coexist with other mental health disorders like depression or anxiety.
- Learn about substance use and its impact on your health and signs of addiction from Healthlink BC.
Things You Can Do
- Know that stigma and shame prevent people from seeking help, making education and compassion crucial.
- Tell your physician and health care professionals the types of substances you use, when you started, and the amount you use regularly. Any substances you use regularly should be noted in your health profile.
- Learn about harm reduction strategies—a term used to describe non-judgmental approaches to supporting people who use drugs—from HealthLink BC.
- Check out the list of virtual mental health services including how to get immediate help, free or low-cost counselling, workplace supports, and targeted services for youth, students, seniors, and indigenous people from the Government of BC.
- Call BC211, a free, confidential helpline that can connect you to a wide range of mental health resources and services available in your area.
Find Help and Support
- Learn about mental health, substance use, self-help resources and community support groups from Mind Health BC.
- Know that Alcohol & Drug Information Referral Service (ADIRS) provides free, confidential information and referral services to British Columbians in need of support with any kind of substance use issue. Contact ADIRS toll-free at 1 800 663-1441.
- Visit Pathways Sea to Sky for a list of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings in BC.
- Explore resources, research, and treatment guidelines for alcohol and substance use disorders from the BC Centre on Substance Use.
- Consider the mental health, substance use, and wellness services for youth aged 12-24, including support for alcohol use from the Foundry BC.
Mywell Health helps you learn about and organize your health information in one place. Add your alcohol or recreational drug use (amount & frequency) to your Health Profile fillable PDF tool and save it in your print or digital files under My Health Information.