Substance use

Substance use

Last updated

Overview

The term "substance use" refers to the use of drugs or alcohol, and includes substances such as cannabis, vapes, tobacco or cigarettes, illegal drugs, prescription drugs, inhalants and solvents. Substance use can be viewed on a spectrum with varying stages of benefit and harm. There can be risks associated with using substances and any type of substance use can cause harm. Substance use can also lead to addiction.

Anyone, at any age or any stage of their life can experience problematic or risky use of substances. It’s important to know that no matter how you are feeling, you are not alone. Learn about symptoms, harm reduction strategies and how to get help.

Alcohol and other drugs

Cannabis

Tobacco and nicotine products

Other drugs and substances

Harm reduction

Help lines

Individual, family and small group counselling is available to people of all ages who are directly or indirectly affected by alcohol and other drug use by calling the help lines below.

Alcohol and Drug Information Referral Service: 1-800-663-1441

Provides free, confidential, multilingual information and referral services for people in B.C. in need of support with any kind of substance use issue, including alcohol or other drugs. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

  • Call 1-800-663-1441 (toll-free)
  • Call 604-660-9382 (lower mainland)

First Nations and Métis KUU-US Crisis Line

Provides culturally safe help for First Nations and Indigenous people. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

  • Call 1-800-588-8717 (toll-free)
  • Call 250-723-2040 for the youth line
  • Call 250-723-4050 for the adult line

Mental Health Crisis Line

Provides a toll-free number connecting callers to a B.C. crisis line, without a wait or busy signal. Offers emotional support, information on appropriate referral options and a wide range of support relating to mental health concerns. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

  • Call 310-6789 (no area code)

2-1-1 British Columbia

Provides a free, confidential, multilingual service to connect people to helpful and vital resources. Offers information and referral to community, government and social services in B.C. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

  • Call or text 2-1-1 (toll free)

B.C. programs and supports

B.C. Smoking Cessation Program

Helps eligible B.C. residents who want to stop smoking or stop using other tobacco products. It covers the cost of one of two treatment options outlined below:

  • Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products such as patch or gum
  • Prescription smoking cessation medications

BC Children's Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre

Provides mental health and substances use information and resources for youth. It helps families navigate the mental health system. It also provides free personalized support from parent peer support workers. Services are available to families across B.C. and Yukon with children and youth up to age 24, by phone, email or a virtual meeting.

Foundry BC

Offers tools and resources designed to help youth and young adults identify mental health challenges early on and develop the skills and strategies they need to manage these problems before they become more serious. Topics include depression, anxiety, alcohol and substance use, psychosis, and body image and eating. Young people can also access services at 17 local Foundry Centres or connecting virtually through their app.

Help Starts Here

Provides a directory of wellbeing, mental health and substance use supports across B.C. This website is managed by the Ministry of Health.

Here to Help

Features personal stories and self-help resources on mental health and substance use. They provide resources for a number of audiences including people concerned for themselves or for a loved one.

Opioid Treatment Access Line

B.C. has launched the Opioid Treatment Access Line to provide faster and easier access to life-saving medication for opioid-use disorder and same-day care. This confidential, toll-free service (1-833-804-8111) is available across B.C. and connects individuals with a team of doctors and nurses who can prescribe opioid agonist medications. Callers are also linked to regional health-care teams for ongoing treatment and support. The service, covered by BC PharmaCare, is available seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Overdose Prevention and Response in B.C.

Provides services and information on overdose prevention and response, including how to avoid and react to an overdose, how to get a naloxone kit and how it works, reducing stigma and talking to youth about substance use.

QuitNow

Provides support and resources for people who use tobacco or e-cigarettes. It supports you if you want to quit or reduce your use. Trained quit coaches work with you one-on-one to stick to your quit plan and help you through rough patches. The website and online community provide information and motivational support to guide your quit.

Talk Tobacco

Provides culturally appropriate support for Indigenous community members. Services are designed with input and guidance from First Nation, Inuit, Metis and urban Indigenous leaders, partners, community members and health care providers. They offer support and information about quitting smoking or vaping. Services are free and confidential, and available by phone, online chat and text.

Toward the Heart

The BC Centre for Disease Control harm reduction program offers resources to learn about naloxone, fentanyl and other harm reduction information. Use their harm reduction site locator to help you find Take Home Naloxone Program supplies in your community:

Useful resources

British Columbia Centre on Substance Use

Comprehensive resources including medication guides and clinical care guidance for treating substance use disorders.