Addictions
What is Addiction?
Addiction is characterized by an overwhelming involvement with a particular substance or activity. For individuals addicted to a licit or an illicit substance, using the substance, recovering from using the substance and securing the supply of the substance becomes necessarily central to their lifestyle. Addiction affects everyone in different ways, but its severity is measured by the degree to which the activity impairs a person’s ability to function adequately in society and be autonomous. Addiction touches us all at some point in our lives, either directly or indirectly. It is crucial that everyone is aware of the potential consequences of substance use.
Addictions are very common and very complex. They seem to depend on a lot of things:
- The drug or behavior involved
- The person’s psychology, biology and genes
- The person’s past experiences
- The person’s life situation
- How available drugs are to the person
- How acceptable the drug or behavior is to the person, their friends and society
Fortunately, there are things that can help anyone avoid addiction.
A person has choices. If they seem to be using a drug more and more in certain situations, they can look for ways to avoid those situations.
If someone has a history of addiction in their family, it’s wise to be extra alert and take the time to learn about their generational patterns.
Learn about the addictiveness of any drug, including prescription drugs and caffeine
If someone is already having trouble with a drug or type of behavior, they should seek help and support for their addiction.
Addiction Services
Adult Substance Use Counselling
This program provides one-to-one counselling support to individuals who are substance using or substance affected by a family member or loved one.
Youth Substance Use Counselling
Mental Health Substance Use Community Program
School-Based Program
Hope and Area Transition Society provides services, advocacy and education to build resiliency, empowerment and inclusion.
Main Office: (604) 869-5111
400 Park Street, PO Box 1761, Hope, BC V0X1L0
House of Hope Emergency Shelter: (604) 869-7574
650 Old Princeton Hwy. Hope, BC V0X1L4
info@hopetransition.org
Jean Scott Transition House: (604) 869-5191
I acknowledge our agency provides services within the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Stó:lō and Nlaka’pamux.