All subjects
- All subjects
- Adolescents
- Addiction
- Family
- Mental health
- Sobriety
- School
- Harm reduction
- Social media
Self-Medication: When Young People Try to Alleviate their Suffering
Could substance use be hiding an attempt to survive? Adolescence and the transition to adulthood are often synonymous with instability and challenges. For many adolescents, hormonal changes, a desire for...
Social Media and Illicit Drug Sales: One Click Away From Addiction (continued)
Insights from youth and counsellors In January of this year, we published an article uncovering an unsettling truth: social media has become the main gateway to substance use among youth....
Concurrent Disorders: Better Support Through Better Understanding
Concurrent disorders are among the most challenging issues in our health care system. Individuals who have both significant mental health problems and substance use disorders are often caught up in...
Choosing sobriety: A growing movement
Over the past few years, alcohol consumption has decreased significantly in Canada, while non-alcoholic beverages have become increasingly popular. This shift in consumer habits can be attributed to health concerns,...
Women and Addiction: Offering Understanding and Support
On March 8, Portage marked International Women's Rights Day, a perfect opportunity to reflect on the issues women face in various aspects of their lives. The issue of women and...
Portage Transforms Young People’s Lives Through Education and Therapy
The Portage Lac Écho Centre provides a space where young people can learn to rebuild their lives and lead a substance-free life. This article explores the positive impact of a...
Social Media and Illicit Drug Sales: One Click Away From Addiction
Over the past few years, more and more young people have been buying drugs through major social media platforms. Online access to drugs has become extremely easy and the overwhelming...
Bell Let’s Talk 2025: Youth mental health, a priority
While conversations about mental health have come a long way over the past few decades, there is still much work ahead. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, one in...
Portage’s integrated school program: Learning through recovery
Portage's educational program stands as a unique model that integrates academic achievement with therapeutic recovery. The program offers a specialized learning environment where residents receive individualized attention and support during...
Five celebrities who transformed their lives by overcoming addiction
Anyone can become addicted to drugs or alcohol, even celebrities. Some choose to speak openly about their road to recovery. Here are five celebrities who battled their demons and now...
Tips on attending festivals while staying sober
For those who are in their post-therapy reintegration phase or who want to avoid falling back into their old patterns of substance use, summer festivals can be both enjoyable and...
Substance Use Treatment Techniques
Our clinical counsellors play a vital role in our residents' therapeutic journey. They are pillars of support for our residents as they progress through their therapy. Inspired by the expertise...
Mental Health: The Great Quandary
Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic, much has been said about the disastrous state of the population's mental health. Mental health issues are thought to affect a large segment of society,...
From Addiction to Recovery: 5 Stages of Change
Recovery day, which is celebrated every year on September 30, helps raise awareness about the complexity of addiction while also sending an important message: you can overcome addiction. People from...
The Dark Side of Dopamine: Pleasure, Drugs and Solutions
Dopamine plays a central role in our well-being and our ability to experience feelings of pleasure and motivation. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter; often referred to as the ʺhappy hormoneʺ, it...
The Truman Show: Awakening, Finding Freedom and Redefining Oneself
Mr. Richard Mayrand, a generous donor and committed Portage volunteer, recently organized a special showing of the movie ʺThe Truman Showʺ for youth at the Lac Écho Centre. Residents from...
