Consequences of avoiding discussions
Someone who struggles with substance use and is not approached by anyone may feel...
- unseen
- no one cares about them
- helpless
- isolated
-stigmatized
Accessible resources at uOttawa for individuals struggling with substance use can be found at...
90U, UCU203, and 801 King Edward (Minto)
The best locations to approach someone about their substance use are
A calm environment. ie. home, a quiet cafe, the park, etc.
Physical risks of avoiding conversations about substance use include...
- addiction
- overdose
- death
- exacerbation of mental health issues
A student looking for alternatives to substance use to cope with school stresses can turn to
- TAO (therapy assisted online); a uOttawa online self-help platform of tools and modules designed to help with university life and stresses
- AcessMHA.ca; helps individuals 16+ in Eastern Ontario who want to find mental health/ substance use/ addictions support services and care
- Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation Get Ahead Program; free counselling
Things you can do to empower someone struggling with substance use are...
Reminding them of their inner strength; that they can seek help and have support.
Substance use negatively affects an individual's school life by...
- impacting academic performance
- increasing absenteesm
- decreasing motivation
- risking expulsion
After having a conversation with someone who is struggling with substance use, you should...
Check-in with yourself.
The best way to talk to someone struggling with substance use is...
- open and active listening
- say what you notice without judgement
- offer assistance/resources
- keeping the communication open