Overcoming addiction is extremely difficult for anyone caught in its trap, whether it's for cannabis or any other substance. Yet, in most cases, the same pattern can be observed. There are many ways to break free from addiction and they all share the same goal: helping people return to a happy, productive life.
The addiction cycle and how to break it
Addiction to something, whether it be to cigarettes, alcohol, other drugs, or to certain behaviours (shopping, gambling, pornography, etc.), is hardly ever experienced as something pleasurable by a person who suffers from addiction, but rather, as a form of enslavement. Consuming substances, or chronically repeating a behaviour, is no longer a choice that can be controlled through willpower.
As soon as a person has entered into an addiction cycle, they feel incapable of breaking free, without really knowing why.
From Pot Smoker to Lamplighter
I was fourteen when I smoked my first joint. I lived in an outlying region and it was our way of having fun among friends on the weekend. During the week, I studied hard, I got good grades, I was into sports and I had a good social life.
Five years later, I decided to pack up and head to Montreal. I did all sorts of small jobs, and though I had few opportunities to play sports, I had more and more opportunities to smoke pot. At the time, I thought pot helped me relax and it quickly became a daily routine. And, of course, the people I hung out with with were regular smokers too.
Seven Ways to Start Talking About Drugs With a Teenager
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 taboo and difficult subject, but keep in mind that your child has probably already been in contact with people who use drugs, to varying degrees of severity.
Portage Blog
Advanced training for partners in the Chaudière-Appalaches region
Last year, two Portage Saint-Malachie staff members (Jackie Brousseau and Myriam Khediri) led a training day on prevention and awareness of sexual exploitation for youth workers in the MRCs of Montmagny-L’Islet and Bellechasse in Chaudière-Appalaches. Due to high demand, an in-depth training session is being held on Monday, March 17th, to address the challenges faced… Read more »
Outdoor Activity at Portage Lac Écho
On Saturday, March 8th, about fifteen participants from various social reintegration programs (Mother-Child, Mental Health and Addiction, Adults, and Adolescents and Young Adults) gathered for an outdoor activity at the Portage Lac Écho centre’s site. Supported by the social reintegration counselors, the activity was organized by the HCPII (Les Habitations communautaires Portage II) residents’ committee,… Read more »
Portage participates in Valero Energy Foundation of Canada panel
As part of International Women’s Rights Day, we had the privilege of participating in a panel hosted by our generous partner, the Valero Energy Foundation of Canada. Moderated by Louis-Philippe Gariépy, Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs – Canada, the discussion aimed to inform employees about the tangible impact of their company’s social investment… Read more »
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