This brief is available in French only. Portage has submitted a brief entitled « S’unir pour mieux soutenir : du repérage à l’arrimage des services spécialisés pour un rétablissement durable » as part of the national consultations on mental health, homelessness and substance use in Quebec. Supported by an extensive consultation process involving clients, their… Read more »
On June 1, Portage had the privilege of welcoming ten experts from Canada, New Zealand, and the United States to its Montreal facilities as part of the Global Leadership Exchange (GLE) 2026. This day of discussions was part of an international dialogue aimed at better understanding how addiction is evolving and at fostering more integrated responses aligned with today’s realities. Addictions Beyond Traditional Categories Today, addictions and at-risk behaviours can no longer be approached in isolation. Substance use, gambling, technology use, video gaming, social media, compulsive shopping,… Read more »
Talking about substance use with your teen is never easy. Between normal adolescent experimentation, peer pressure, academic stress and social media influences, parents often wonder when they should be concerned about substance use. Substance use among young people can’t be characterized simply in terms of what’s “normal” as opposed to what’s “problematic”. There are a… Read more »
Testimonial of parent at a family support group – Cassidy Lake Note: They have chosen not to have their names attached Our son, 19 at the time, was struggling with addiction, which we were not aware of. We thought it was just weekend drinking with friends, but it was more than that. He was… Read more »
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 autonomy and the will to define oneself are intertwined with mental health issues. An increasing number of youth struggle with anxiety, depression or ADHD. Self-medication… Read more »
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 addiction is often misunderstood, not to mention taboo. Women often struggle with addiction on their own for fear of being stigmatized and judged and because… Read more »
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 majority of dealers who supply substance-dependent youth operate via social networks. Quick Access to Increasingly Dangerous Substances The growth of social networks has… Read more »
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 offer hope and motivation to those who are still struggling. Bradley Cooper: I got sober at 29 years old, and you know, I’ve been sober… Read more »
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 of a level 4 substance use clinical counsellor at Portage, this article explores the techniques used to accompany residents throughout their therapy. Plan of care… Read more »
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 all over the world talk about their journey, their challenges and their victories, providing hope and inspiration to those still battling addiction. This article details… Read more »
