Practical tools for counsellors, teachers, social workers, and parents.
Adolescence is a vulnerable time when young people may be exposed to risky behaviours, including substance use. This page brings together reliable resources, authentic testimonials, and practical tools to help supporters—whether professionals or loved ones—better understand the challenges of addiction, intervene effectively, and support youth with compassion.
The content is organized by theme and will be updated regularly to reflect the evolving realities faced by youth and those who support them.
Youth, Mental Health, and Self-Medication
Understanding Self-Medication Among Youth
More and more young people are experiencing psychological distress they struggle to express. To calm their anxiety, escape painful memories, or simply “function,” some turn to substance use. This phenomenon, known as self-medication, is often misunderstood — yet it lies at the heart of many situations faced by youth workers.
A mental health issue that must not be overlooked
Self-medication is a sign of suffering. It can mask undiagnosed mental health disorders, trauma, or an urgent need for empathy and support. As youth workers, understanding this mechanism helps open up dialogue, adapt our approaches, and guide young people toward specialized resources like those offered by Portage.
“I projected this image of being the cool kid by using, but in reality, I was trying to hide a deep feeling of loneliness. That feeling of being different, of not belonging.” - James, youth in treatment
One pager
When Pain Leads to Substance Use – Understanding and Supporting Youth
Download our info sheet to better understand self-medication among youth and learn how to intervene effectively.
Blog Articles on This Topic
Social Media and Drug Sales: Fast Access, Real Consequences
Social media has become a platform for substance sales among youth. This discreet yet widespread phenomenon affects more and more adolescents—often without their families even realizing it.
At Portage, we support young people every year who have been exposed to this type of trafficking. This page brings together our educational content and practical tools to help key supporters—teachers, counsellors, and social workers—better understand, raise awareness, and intervene effectively.
Video Testimonials: Real stories to help you understand the reality
Discover a series of video clips featuring young people in therapy and counsellors sharing their experiences and insights on drug sales through social media. These videos explore topics such as:
- How youth are approached online
- The normalization of the phenomenon
- Marketing strategies used by dealers
- How to talk about substance use with an adolescent
“They sent me pictures like a menu, showing everything they had. You choose, you reply, and they come deliver it.”
“It’s like Uber Eats, but for drugs.”
Webinar - In French Only
A Moment for Dialogue and Reflection
Portage hosted a webinar titled Social Media and Drug Sales – Fast Access, Real Consequences, designed for parents, counsellors, and professionals in the field. This webinar offers:
- Testimonials from youth and counsellors
- Recent data on the phenomenon
- Concrete intervention strategies
Teens and Drugs: How to Talk to Them About Substance Use
Adolescence is a time of intense transformation, marked by physical, emotional, and social changes. Young people seek to define themselves, assert their identity, and experiment—sometimes at the expense of their mental or physical health. This content explores the many facets of this reality: the mechanisms of addiction, early warning signs to watch for, current substance use trends among youth, and communication strategies that help maintain trust.
It also examines the impact of social media on self-image, mental health, and the normalization of risky behaviours. Practical guidance is offered to help parents support their children, prevent problematic behaviours, and intervene with compassion.
Download this document for relevant information on the topic.
Watch the recording of the webinar broadcast on November 27, 2024
Blog Articles on This Topic
Need Support?
We provide engaging presentations in schools, as well as informative sessions about our services.
