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If you are in need of immediate help, call 9-1-1.

Crisis Line

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

Call if you are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including thoughts of suicide.

310 Mental Health Support

310-6789 (NO AREA CODE)

Call for emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health.

KUU-US Crisis Response Service

1-800-588-8717

Call for culturally-aware crisis support for Indigenous peoples in B.C.

Wellbeing

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    • Healthy Living
      • Eating Well
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    What is Mindfulness?

    You can use mindfulness every day. It’s a tool you can use at any time. It helps you slow down, accept things as they are, cope well with problems, and simply appreciate what’s in your life right now.

    Learn more
  • Mental health
    • Anxiety
      • What to Do About Anxiety
      • Panic Attacks
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    • Depression
      • Symptoms of Depression
      • What to Do About Depression
    • Stress
      • Symptoms of Stress
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    Getting Help for Depression

    At first, you may find depression hard to notice in yourself or someone else. Learn what you can do if you are experiencing depression.

    Learn more
  • Substance use
    • Types of Substance Use
      • Alcohol
      • Opioids
      • Stimulants
    • Addiction
      • Addiction and Health
      • Treatment and Recovery
    • Harm Reduction
      • Overdose Prevention
      • Naloxone
      • Drug Checking
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    Two men standing and laughing by a brick wall

    Drinking and Your Health

    Alcohol is a substance that can be enjoyed in moderation. However, the more you drink, the more your risk of certain diseases can go up. Find out how many drinks it takes to put you at risk, and how high or low those risks can be.

    Learn more
  • Browse supports

Main navigation

  • Wellbeing
    • Healthy Living
      • Eating Well
      • Staying Active
      • Sleep Habits
      • Mindfulness
    • Emotional
      • Resilience
      • Self-Esteem
      • Loneliness
    • Social
      • Stigma
      • Family
    Image
    Woman outside looking off to the right

    What is Mindfulness?

    You can use mindfulness every day. It’s a tool you can use at any time. It helps you slow down, accept things as they are, cope well with problems, and simply appreciate what’s in your life right now.

    Learn more
  • Mental health
    • Anxiety
      • What to Do About Anxiety
      • Panic Attacks
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    • Depression
      • Symptoms of Depression
      • What to Do About Depression
    • Stress
      • Symptoms of Stress
      • COVID-19 Stress
      • Managing Stress
    • Self-Harm
    • Suicide
    • Seeking Help
      • Families Supporting Youth
      • Youth Supporting Themselves
    Image
    Man sits on couch, looking at smart phone

    Getting Help for Depression

    At first, you may find depression hard to notice in yourself or someone else. Learn what you can do if you are experiencing depression.

    Learn more
  • Substance use
    • Types of Substance Use
      • Alcohol
      • Opioids
      • Stimulants
    • Addiction
      • Addiction and Health
      • Treatment and Recovery
    • Harm Reduction
      • Overdose Prevention
      • Naloxone
      • Drug Checking
    Image
    Two men standing and laughing by a brick wall

    Drinking and Your Health

    Alcohol is a substance that can be enjoyed in moderation. However, the more you drink, the more your risk of certain diseases can go up. Find out how many drinks it takes to put you at risk, and how high or low those risks can be.

    Learn more
  • Browse supports

Top Navigation

  • Our Partners
  • Contact
  • About Us

Help Phone Lines

If you are in need of immediate help, call 9-1-1.

Crisis Line

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

Call if you are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including thoughts of suicide.

310 Mental Health Support

310-6789 (NO AREA CODE)

Call for emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health.

KUU-US Crisis Response Service

1-800-588-8717

Call for culturally-aware crisis support for Indigenous peoples in B.C.

Wellbeing

Addiction and Health

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  2. Substance Use
  3. Addiction
  4. Addiction And Health

Substance use

  • Types of Substance Use
    • Alcohol
    • Opioids
    • Stimulants
  • Addiction
    • Addiction and Health
    • Treatment and Recovery
  • Harm Reduction
    • Overdose Prevention
    • Naloxone
    • Drug Checking

Not all people who use substances experience challenges. In fact, people use substances for a variety of reasons including relaxation, enhancing social experiences, exploring new ideas, and coping with anxiety or other health-related conditions.

Take alcohol for example – many people use this mind-altering substance in safe and enjoyable ways.

For some however, substance use has the potential to lead to addiction and other unhappy and unhealthy experiences.

More and more, problematic substance use is understood as a response to a variety of life circumstances including grief, trauma, and abuse.

What causes addiction?

Addiction is complex. There are a range of personal, social, economic, and environmental factors that influence how substance use affects someone.

Every person’s experience is different and everyone has the right to control their own health and wellbeing, including when it comes to substance use and addiction.

Addiction is a health condition. When someone uses substances, changes can occur in their brain, making it challenging for them to stop using substances, especially if they don’t have access to supports to reduce harm or begin their recovery.

Reasons that could be behind a person’s substance use challenge can include:

  • Traumatic events
  • Childhood trauma
  • Intergenerational trauma
  • Physical pain
  • Mental health challenges
  • Notions of masculinity

Find help for addiction

  • Find Opioid Agonist Treatment Clinics that are accepting new patients. 
  • Learn about treatment and supportive recovery services and find a list of services throughout B.C.
  • Call 8-1-1 for information on recovery and addiction treatment services in your area, or to speak to a registered nurse or pharmacist.

Resources

Showing 7 Resources

Alcohol and Drug Information Referral Service

Free, confidential information and referral services to support you with any kind of substance use challenge.

Addiction and recovery
Alcohol
Drug use
Fraser Health
Help hotlines
Help navigating services
In crisis
Information and tools
Interior Health
Island Health

Alcohol and Drug Information Referral Service

Contact

1-800-663-1441

About

Call for a referral to community substance use treatment services.

Description

This service can help you learn about prevention resources, support groups, and other topics related to addiction and substance use. This includes referrals to detox and treatment programs.

Free, multilingual phone assistance is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This service is provided by 211 British Columbia Services Society.

Addiction and recovery
Alcohol
Drug use
Fraser Health
Help hotlines
Help navigating services
In crisis
Information and tools
Interior Health
Island Health
Northern Health
Person who uses drugs
Treatment services
Vancouver Coastal Health
Virtual supports
Learn more
Learn More

First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day

Free access to primary and mental health care closer to home for First Nations people who have limited or no access to doctors. 

Addiction and recovery
Alcohol
Anxiety
Depression
Drug use
Eating and body image
First Nations person
Fraser Health
Help navigating services
Indigenous person

First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day

Contact

1-855-344-3800
Website
Sun: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Mon: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Tue: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Wed: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Thu: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Fri: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Sat: 8:30 am-4:30 pm

About

Free video and phone-based appointments that help members of BC First Nations access primary and mental health care closer to home.

Description

Provided through the First Nations Health Authority, this program is for First Nations people who have limited or no access to their own doctors. 

All First Nations people who live in B.C. are eligible for this service – and so are their family members, even if those family members are non-status. There are no age limits.

The program includes doctors of Indigenous ancestry, and all doctors are trained to follow the principles and practices of cultural safety and humility. 

Addiction and recovery
Alcohol
Anxiety
Depression
Drug use
Eating and body image
First Nations person
Fraser Health
Help navigating services
Indigenous person
Information and tools
Interior Health
Inuit person
Island Health
Mental health care
Mental health intake
Métis person
Northern Health
Relationship or family violence
Stress
Understanding mental health
Understanding wellness
Vancouver Coastal Health
Virtual supports
Learn more
Learn More

Lifeguard App

A free app that connects people to emergency responders automatically if they become unresponsive while using drugs. 

Addiction and recovery
Drug use
Fraser Health
Help hotlines
In crisis
Information and tools
Interior Health
Island Health
Northern Health
Person who uses drugs

Lifeguard App

Contact

Email
Website

About

A free app that connects people to emergency responders automatically if they become unresponsive while using drugs.

Description

Lifeguard App app gives people who use drugs one more way to stay safer. It empowers people who use drugs to take charge of their health and helps them to survive accidental overdose.

When someone is about to use a drug, especially alone, they can open the app and record the type of substance they are using and confirm their location. The app will hold this information, and a timer is set which can be paused or extended by the app user at any time. 

App users can access treatment options quickly and easily, directly through the app. This means that users can remain safer until they are ready to start their journey to recovery.

Download the app for free on your smartphone or tablet through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. 

Addiction and recovery
Drug use
Fraser Health
Help hotlines
In crisis
Information and tools
Interior Health
Island Health
Northern Health
Person who uses drugs
Vancouver Coastal Health
Virtual supports
Learn more
Learn More

Overdose Prevention Sites Listings (Toward the Heart)

Locations where people can safely use drugs under supervision of staff trained in emergency response. Services are free.

Addiction and recovery
Drug use
Fraser Health
Help navigating services
Interior Health
Island Health
Northern Health
Person who uses drugs
Vancouver Coastal Health
Virtual supports

Overdose Prevention Sites Listings (Toward the Heart)

Contact

Website

About

Sites offer drug checking services, overdose prevention, education, naloxone kits and naloxone training.

Description

Some sites may also have harm reduction supplies like sterile needles, safe needle disposal, filters, cookers, condoms, etc. They can help refer you to more mental health and substance use services. 

Overdose prevention sites are managed by health authorities with community partners across B.C. These spaces work together with social services and healthcare.

Addiction and recovery
Drug use
Fraser Health
Help navigating services
Interior Health
Island Health
Northern Health
Person who uses drugs
Vancouver Coastal Health
Virtual supports
Learn more
Learn More

Naloxone Information and Support

Learn how to use naloxone to help stop an overdose and save lives. Pick up a free naloxone kit at a location near you. 

Addiction and recovery
Drug use
Fraser Health
Information and tools
Interior Health
Island Health
Northern Health
Person who uses drugs
Vancouver Coastal Health
Virtual supports

Naloxone Information and Support

Contact

Website

About

Learn how to tell when somebody is experiencing an overdose, and how to respond with your Take Home Naloxone kit.

Description

Take free nalaxone training online. Anyone can learn to use naloxone to reverse an overdose through Towards The Heart.

Find a nearby location where you can pick up a free kit and carry it with you. 

Have a question? Use the online form.

Addiction and recovery
Drug use
Fraser Health
Information and tools
Interior Health
Island Health
Northern Health
Person who uses drugs
Vancouver Coastal Health
Virtual supports
Wellness programs
Learn more
Learn More

ANKORS Drug Checking

Fast, free, anonymous drug checking with
FTIR spectrometry and fentanyl test strips.

Addiction and recovery
Drug use
In-person services
Information and tools
Interior Health
Person who uses drugs

ANKORS Drug Checking

Contact

1-800-421-2437
Email
Website
Cranbrook
Back Cranbrook

#209A – 16th Ave N
Cranbrook BC V1C 5S8
Canada

1-250-426-3383
Email
Website
Nelson
Back Nelson

101 Baker Street
Nelson BC V1L 4H1
Canada

1-250-505-5506
Email
Website

About

Fast, free, anonymous drug checking with FTIR spectrometry and fentanyl test strips.

Description

Ankors hosts drug checking in person, in their offices so clients can have a conversation about what exactly their substance is made of.

Ankors also offers take home fentanyl test strips, and lessons on how to use them, so you can test your drugs for fentanyl even when the offices are closed.

Addiction and recovery
Drug use
In-person services
Information and tools
Interior Health
Person who uses drugs
Learn more
Learn More

BC Responsible & Problem Gambling Program and Help Hotline

Free, confidential gambling support and information is available via phone or video conferencing.

Addiction and recovery
Adult
Counselling
Fraser Health
Help hotlines
Information and tools
Interior Health
Island Health
Northern Health
Treatment services

BC Responsible & Problem Gambling Program and Help Hotline

Contact

1-888-795-6111
Website

About

BC Responsible Gambling exists to help reduce and prevent the harmful impacts of excessive or uncontrolled gambling.

Description

Concerned about gambling? Free, confidential gambling support and information is available via phone, text or video conferencing. This program is available to everyone impacted by gambling harms.

The Gambling Support Line is confidential and available in multiple languages, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

To talk to someone online, submit an online request.

Addiction and recovery
Adult
Counselling
Fraser Health
Help hotlines
Information and tools
Interior Health
Island Health
Northern Health
Treatment services
Vancouver Coastal Health
Virtual supports
Learn more
Learn More

Supports and Services

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Emergency Contact Information

Call 9-1-1 if you are in an emergency. For mental health support, call:

Crisis Line

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

Mental Health Support Line

310-6789 (no area code needed)

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Emergency Contacts

Crisis Line

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

Mental Health Support

310-6789