{"id":46091,"date":"2025-09-30T14:59:12","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T19:59:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/portage.ca\/resources-for-youth-counsellors-and-practitioners-understanding-and-preventing-addiction\/"},"modified":"2026-05-06T10:40:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T15:40:14","slug":"resources-for-counsellors","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/portage.ca\/en\/resources-for-counsellors\/","title":{"rendered":"Resources for Youth Counsellors and Practitioners – Understanding and Preventing Addiction"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\n\t\t\tPractical resources
to support youth facing addiction\t<\/b><\/h1>\n
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Practical tools for counsellors, teachers, social workers, and parents.<\/p>\n\t

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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.<\/p>\n

The content is organized by theme and will be updated regularly to reflect the evolving realities faced by youth and those who support them.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tI need help\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n

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Youth, Mental Health, and Self-Medication<\/h2>\n

\n\t\t\tUnderstanding Self-Medication Among Youth\t<\/h3>\n\t

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<\/em>, is often misunderstood – yet it lies at the heart of many situations faced by youth workers.<\/p>\nA mental health issue that must not be overlooked<\/strong>
\nSelf-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.\n\t

“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.”<\/em> – James, youth in treatment<\/em><\/p>\n

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One pager<\/h2>\nWhen Pain Leads to Substance Use – Understanding and Supporting Youth<\/strong>
\nDownload our info sheet to better understand self-medication among youth and learn how to intervene effectively.\n\t

Download<\/a><\/p>\n\t