Navigating Substance Use

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In Canada, about 3 out of 4 people (76%) use substances like caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, prescription medications, or unregulated drugs. People use substances for many reasons: medical, religious, personal enjoyment, or to cope with stress, trauma, or pain.

Often, when people hear “substance use,” they think of addiction. But only about 4% of Canadians 12 and older are living with a substance use disorder (CAPSA, 2024a). This misunderstanding adds to stigma (negative or false beliefs and attitudes) about substance use. Stigma makes people afraid to talk about substance use for fear of being judged. Sometimes, even healthcare providers avoid asking about it.

Grand Erie Public Health has compiled resources for those within our community who are looking for supports and resources related to addiction and harm reduction. See below for a list of some local resources designed to help with specific issues that are affecting those within the GEPH region:

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Substance Use Health (SUH) is about looking at substance use on a spectrum, just like we do with physical or mental health. Everyone falls somewhere on this spectrum, whether they use substances or not. Talking about SUH this way helps reduce stigma and shows that substance use can affect health in both positive and negative ways.

Promoting SUH means having open, compassionate, and non-judgmental conversations. It’s about helping people understand the effects of substances and make informed choices about their own level of risk.

Download the SUH fact sheet here (PDF).

No Use

Some people don’t use substances for cultural or religious reasons, health conditions, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or athletic training.

Lower Risk

  • Aims to lower health and social harms from substance use
  • It does not mean substance use is free from harm or risk
  • Even in small amounts (moderation), substance use can still have an impact on your health and how you feel (well-being)

Higher Risk

  • A person is at increased risk for substance tolerance, dependence and withdrawal (substance use disorder)
  • There’s a higher chance of getting hurt or hurting someone
  • It can lead to health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, cancer, liver and stomach issues, trouble remembering things, and worsening mental health issues such as feeling more sad, anxious, or angry
  • It can also raise the risk of getting infections, like those spread through blood or sexual activity

Declining Health

  • Feeling sick or having problems when cutting back or trying to stop after regularly using a substance for a long time or after using high doses
  • Having substance related health issues like worsening mental health issues, difficulty focusing or thinking clearly at school or work, high blood pressure, liver disease, lung disease, cancer etc.
  • Hurting oneself or others while using a substance, for example, impaired driving
  • A parent’s substance use is making it harder to take care for their child
  • Substance use is causing relationship problems with family and friends, like increased arguments or spending less time together

Substance Use Disorder

  • A SUD is a health condition that affects the brain, making it hard to stop using a substance even when it’s causing harm (Health Canada, 2024)
  • It is not caused by weakness or lack of willpower—it can be linked to a number of factors such as, health issues, stress, trauma, or personal circumstances
  • SUD can involve substances such as alcohol, caffeine, cannabis, opioids, stimulants, tobacco, and more
  • Treatment works and depends on the person’s needs. It can include:
    • Medication
    • Counselling or therapy
    • Peer support (learning from people with lived experience)
    • Withdrawal management (safely stopping substance use)

Because mental, physical, emotional, and social health all connect, treating SUD often involves support for all areas of health and wellbeing.

Youth need accurate, reliable information to make safe choices. Parents and caregivers have an important role to play in helping prevent and delay the start of youth using substances, reducing harm, and helping make safe decisions

Learn more through our resource: Supporting Our Youth: Navigating Substance Use (PDF)

Aboriginal Health Centre (De Dwa Da Dehs Nye>s): call 519-752-4340

  • Adult, child & youth counselling and supports available

Brant Erie Alcoholics Anonymous: call 519-752-5981

  • Group-based support program for individuals to share experiences and help with alcohol use

Canadian Mental Health Association Brant Haldimand Norfolk: call 519-752-2998

  • Provides recovery-focused programs and services for people of all ages and their families

Grand River Community Health Centre (GRCHC) Wellness Programs: call 519-754-0777

  • Free programs offered to promote health and wellbeing in the community

Norfolk Brant Narcotics Anonymous (NA): 1-888-881-3887

  • Meetings and 24/7 help line

The Brant Haldimand Norfolk RAAM Clinic: call 519-758-0008

  • Provides mental health and addiction care for substance cravings, withdrawal, counselling, system navigation, peer support and much more

SOAR – Concurrent Disorders Outpatient

  • Addiction assessment and counselling services

SOAR – Withdrawal Management & Treatment Services: call 519-753-6222

  • Offers a safe, supportive environment for withdrawal from substances as well as gender-based residential treatment programs

Alcoholics Anon. (AA) & AL-ANON (family group) 24hr helpline: 519-752-5981

Caledonia Clinic (Addictions Services): 905-765-5885

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA): 519-428-2380

Crisis Assessment and Support Team (CAST) – Suicide Hotline: 1-866-487-2278

Norfolk Brant Narcotics Anonymous (NA): 1-888-881-3887

  • Meetings and 24/7 help line

Norfolk General Hospital – Holmes House: 519-428-1911

The Brant Haldimand Norfolk RAAM Clinic: call 519-758-0008

  • Provides mental health and addiction care for substance cravings, withdrawal, counselling, system navigation, peer support and much more

South Coast Wellness: 1-877-909-HELP (4357)

Ontario Drug & Alcohol Helpline: 1-800-565-8603

Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-888-230-3505

West Haldimand General Hospital: 905-768-3311

Youth Mental Health

Canadian Drug Rehab Services, call 1-877-254-3348

  • Free, confidential professional help and resources for drug and alcohol addiction in Canada. Referrals for clients seeking support with substances

ConnexOntario, call 1-866-531-2600 or text CONNEXT to 247247

  • 24/7 Mental Health and Addiction Services support for ages 18+

Get help with substance use – Canada.ca

Good2Talk, call 1-866-925-5454 or text GOOD2TALKON to 686868

  • Confidential support services for post-secondary students

Health Connect Ontario (previously Telehealth Ontario), call 1-866-797-0007 or call 8-1-1

  • 24/7 confidential support for health matters and addiction concerns

Kids Help Phone, call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868

  • Support for ages 0-20

Choose Compassion

  • Treat people with dignity, care, and respect.
  • See the person, not just their substance use.
  • Don’t make assumptions or judgments based on your own experiences.
  • Offer support to both the person and their loved ones. Listen, show up, and acknowledge their struggles.
  • Focus on their strengths and potential, not just their challenges.

Choose Your Words Carefully

  • Language matters. Stigmatizing words and disrespectful attitudes have real consequences – they can feed shame, blame, and barriers to care.
  • Avoid labels like “addict” or “drug abuser.” Instead say, “a person with a substance use disorder.”
  • Accept people where they are, without judgment or blame.
  • Show care and concern instead of making negative assumptions.
  • Listen without lecturing. Let people share in their own time.
  • Ask, “How can I help” instead of deciding for them. Sometimes small things – like company, water, or connecting them to support—make a big difference.
  • Reflect on your own biases and work to challenge them.

The Overcoming Stigma Through Language: A Primer by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction and CAPSA, is a user-friendly guide to help you take action!