Recovery Month
Ending the Overdose Crisis Calls For
a Unified Front
Polarizing debates are weakening our collective strength in saving lives threatened by fentanyl.
There is no one way to solve a problem as huge and complex as the opioid crisis in Canada. Across the healthcare spectrum, heated debates are raging over how to best save lives: Is safer supply truly safe? Which approach to care is the "right one"? How should public funding be best spent?
Rather than focusing on our own individual part of the problem, it is essential that we keep our focus where it needs to be: squarely on the people we all serve.
The toxic illicit supply of drugs is constantly morphing in new and dangerous ways. Under the crushing weight of homelessness, food insecurity, and unsupported mental health, vulnerable Canadians are being backed into a corner—one from which drugs can seem like the only escape. Keeping quality care for substance use disorder fast and easily accessible is our only hope of breaking the cycle of addiction
— and we simply can’t do it in silos. We provide same-day access to fully-integrated care at over 80 treatment centres, 365 days a year; often in isolated remote areas. For years, due to an absence of qualified local addictions specialists, our patients there have depended on virtual care to connect with doctors hundreds of kilometres away. Where there’s no road access, the medications critical to their recovery are air-dropped by plane to the clinics through our connected pharmacy shipping network. Many rural treatment centres providing lifesaving care in underserved communities are bearing the brunt of unprecedented inflation and, in many cases, are one human resource challenge away from having to close their doors. That would mean hundreds of at-risk people suddenly left without a viable option to avoid a potentially fatal accidental overdose. We can all agree that ensuring continuity of this care is critical.
Research shows that people who receive treatment for opioid use disorder in a fully-integrated care model* are 4x more likely to stay in recovery.
If the pandemic taught us anything it’s that, in times of crisis, we need to come together. Our more than 15,000 patients deserve the best possible care. As a highly specialized branch of health care, public funding for addictions medicine is complex and precarious—one seemingly small change in funding can have unintentionally catastrophic effects on our ability to keep clinic doors open where they’re needed most. As Canada’s largest provider of evidence-based care for substance use disorder, we remain steadfast in our commitment to work with Government, health care providers and other community partners across the spectrum of care to implement innovative solutions toward achieving the goal we collectively share: saving lives.We may not know what the next toxic drug hitting the streets will look like but we do know that, in the fight to defend our communities, we’re stronger together.
*Including onsite pharmacy services, harm reduction, regular health assessments and linkage to primary care.
April Gamache CEO, Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres (CATC)
To learn more, visit canatc.ca
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April Gamache, CEO, Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres
*Northern Ontario School of Medicine
Challenging Feelings of Shame: Families Coping Through Mental Illness
Supporting a loved one while mitigating the ripple effects that stigma brings.
Iknow from first-hand experience that it can be hard admitting when a family member is struggling with a mental illness. Whether it is depression or anxiety, substance use or problem gambling, confiding and sharing information about a loved one’s mental health struggles can feel embarrassing and shameful. Despite growing awareness and education regarding the prevalence of mental health disorders, stigma surrounding mental illness continues to exist. Not only do these negative attitudes and beliefs impact the individuals themselves, they also negatively impact family members. Feeling shame and embarrassment, family members may want to hide their loved one’s mental illness or addiction from others to protect themselves from judging eyes and covert whispers.
Recognizing and addressing shame
Shame is feeling flawed and inadequate, and can lead to distressing emotions and poor mental health.
Family members may be sensitive and worried about what others may think of them and begin to socially withdraw, isolating themselves from natural supports such as friends and family. 1
To address feelings of shame, family members are encouraged to speak openly and honestly with their supports. Let others know how they can help and what is needed.2 Supports can offer a safe, non-judgmental space, and finding confidence in others such as friends, family, or mental health professionals provides an opportunity for family
To adress the shame that family members experience, we need to confront the stigma and bias surrounding mental illness, substance use, and problem gambling.
members to explore and accept feelings of shame.3 Look for family member support groups. Sharing experiences with other family members who truly understand what you are going through, and knowing you are not alone, can be empowering and validating.
Supporting families, changing attitudes
To address the shame that family members experience, we need to confront the stigma and bias surrounding mental illness, substance use, and problem gambling. Be an advocate for mental health by speaking up and discussing the truth about mental health. By sharing our personal experiences as family members, we shed a new light on mental illness and start to dispel the negative thoughts and attitudes surrounding mental illness. When we speak up, we let other family members know it's not their fault, they are not alone, and they have nothing to be shameful about.
1 Cuncic, Arlin. (June 28, 2023). The Psychology of Shame. Verywell mind. Retrieved August 9, 2023 from https://www.verywellmind. com/what-is-shame-5115076
2 Nexus Family Healing. (February 25, 2020). A Parent’s Shame
– Having a Child with a Mental Illness Health Issue. Retrieved August 9, 2023, from https://www.nexusfamilyhealing.org/blog/ parents-shame what-is-shame-5115076
3 Cuncic, Arlin. (June 28, 2023). The Psychology of Shame. Verywell mind. Retrieved August 9, 2023 from https://www.verywellmind. com/what-is-shame-5115076what-is-shame-5115076
Samantha Cornelissen Health Data Liaison, ConnexOntario
For 24/7 support for mental health in Ontario, visit connexontario.ca or call 1.866.531.2600. For resources and information for young adults, visit mindyourmind.ca
This article was sponsored by Connex Ontario
Samantha Cornelissen