An estimated 21 per cent of Canadians, about six million people, will meet the criteria for a substance use disorder at some point in their lives, according to Statistics Canada. Despite the prevalence of the disease, a swirl of misinformation and social stigma still surrounds it.

For Spencer Krahn, ’17 BSc, a family physician with an enhanced certification in addiction medicine, a volunteer experience during his undergraduate studies helped him recognize his misconceptions. Today, Krahn works on the Addiction Recovery and Community Health Team at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, a multi­disciplinary team that supports patients with substance use disorders. In this article he passes his experience along with five insights to better understand addiction.

Summary

1. It’s Not a Choice

“In the past, we used to see addiction as either a moral failing or a flaw in character. Addiction was seen as a choice,” says Krahn. “It’s not a choice. It’s a medical and mental health condition.”

2. Trauma Takes a Toll

A growing body of research has found a connection between adverse childhood experiences and the risk of developing an addiction.

3. Legal Substances Pose a Risk

“We have a misconception that just because things are legal or easy to access, it means they’re not harmful,” says Krahn. “The majority of harms arise from using legal substances.

4. Supervised Consumption Sites Save Lives

When people talk about these sites, they often misunderstand how they actually work — and the outcomes for those who use them, Krahn says. “The sites provide connection and safety.”

5. Resilience Remains

We need to examine our own biases when it comes to the assumptions we make about people with addictions — and how they should be cared for, says Krahn. “I wasn’t looking at people who were powerless. I was looking at people who had survived so much, whether it was trauma, physical health challenges or immigrating to Canada. I recognized through relationships that these folks have such resilience and strength.”