Chance or Predisposition? I always thought becoming a drug addict could only happen to others. I became one myself fairly late, at about 35 year-old, having never taken any drugs or alcohol in my life. In fact, I was terrified of all drugs, of their ability to rob people of their self-control. I was a… Read more »
Dependency is not Solely the Substance’s Fault The scientific community believed for the longest time that dependency to alcohol or to any drug was caused by the substance’s intrinsic addictive properties. Using the Skinner box invented in the early 1930s, scientists observed that rats, who were kept captive and isolated for the experiment, would self-administer… Read more »
Without my consent, I was personally and quickly propelled into the world of drug addiction. For over 15 years, I had been suffering from a panic disorder that splattered my days with anxiety attacks, making my life hellish. Nausea, vertigo, heart palpitations, abdominal pain, the feeling of dying… The symptoms resembled those of a heart… Read more »
Canada is currently experiencing an alarming opioid crisis, which is on the rise. It has been noticed that there has been a substantial increase of overdose-related deaths in many provinces over the past year. In Canada, this crisis has had devastating effects on family and friends. Context and Key Figures As per a report… Read more »
Montréal, November 16 2015 – During National Addictions Awareness Week, which runs from November 15 to 21, Portage is putting the spotlight on the challenges that women face with regards to getting help with drug addiction. Many women who suffer from drug or alcohol dependency have been victims of abuse, violence, or unhealthy relationships and… Read more »
Adolescence is a time of life when teenagers seek independence and when they want more than ever to be accepted by their peers. While this is perfectly normal, as parents, we often wonder what types of behaviours we need to question as possible indicators that our child is misusing or abusing drugs. Dowload the file… Read more »
Onde de choc Ayant grandi dans une famille où la religion était omniprésente, Débora-Rose voit sa vie basculer lorsque ses parents se séparent et que sa mère dévoile son homosexualité. Ébranlée et se sentant jugée, elle subit un véritable choc qui l’amène à rejeter son entourage. Dès le début du secondaire, elle expérimente différentes… Read more »
Stories like Fred’s are at the core of what we do at Portage. We are proud to share her story and to encourage other residents to share theirs. “Hi, my name is Frederic Laforge and I’m an addict. I was in the Portage program when I was only 15 years old, I am now 26… Read more »
