The health risks linked to excessive alcohol use are well-known and have been the focus of numerous awareness campaigns. But it’s not always easy to assess your alcohol consumption. Below are guidelines you can use to determine if you have an alcohol problem. 1. Determine how much you’re drinking Start by counting… Read more »
The 33rd annual Suicide Prevention Week will take place from February 5th to 11th. Held under the theme ʺPrevention is Better than Deathʺ, the campaign seeks to promote dialogue and sharing in order to save lives and support people who are potentially at risk. Suicide impacts numerous people everywhere in the world, making it… Read more »
They are practical, odorless, less expensive, easy to get and more discreet. Electronic cigarettes have become ubiquitous in Canadian society and among young people in just a few years. Though they may seem slightly less harmful than tobacco, e-cigarettes are fraught with several known risks and hazards still poorly understood. The e-cigarette device heats a… Read more »
Are all drug users criminals? The debate came up once again in Canada following a request by several public health researchers and police forces dealing with the current devastating opioid crisis. While Oregon has become the first American state to vote for the decriminalization of all drugs, other examples have put into question whether decriminalization… Read more »
Recent questions about caring for young adults battling drug and alcohol addiction are changing mindsets about where these young people belong in social and health services. Portage considered this matter and has now extended its adolescent program in Eastern Quebec to cater to young adults aged 18 to 21 as of March 2021. The New… Read more »
There is a strong connection between addiction and mental health disorders and the two are often mutually sustaining. People with this dual diagnosis often have to contend with a lack of available resources, a slow-moving system, and isolation. An Overstretched System On March 3, 2020, the Ontario Health Minister announced an unprecedented 25-million-dollar investment to… Read more »
It’s not easy for parents to start a conversation about drugs with their children. But youths become vulnerable targets as soon as they set foot in school, where they quickly meet people who use drugs. That’s why parents must take the time to discuss this matter with their children. Sure, drug use is sometimes a… Read more »
May 2020: Mental Health Awareness Month In honor of mental health awareness month which has now come to a close, Portage is shedding some light on a common form of diagnosis that is often unrecognized by the general public: dual diagnosis. What is it? What are the warning signs? When and how should co-occurring disorders… Read more »
As quarantine continues to establish itself as the new normal, the majority of us are experiencing unfamiliar concepts. Boredom, free time, and unfamiliar anxiety, to name a few. With all of the humorous coronavirus content online, it’s normal to feel the effects of alcohol romanticism. Maybe you’re dealing with parenting, navigating working from home, or… Read more »
Quarantine is mentally and emotionally challenging, that’s for sure. Given the current state of the world, staying home is the new normal. For some, it can bring up feelings of anxiety, anger, frustration, depression, and even symptoms of PTSD. Here are 8 tips to help your mental health during these uncertain times. 1. Only Trust… Read more »
