PART 2 : ALCOHOL & DRUG USE

The Hidden Story of Addiction


When it comes to substance abuse, there’s always more than meets the eye. Misuse of substances never occurs "just because", there’s always something underlying the use.

While it’s understandable that we often focus on the behaviour of substance use, we rarely pay attention to what’s prompting the substance use. Virtually always, there is some type of pain behind the substance use.

Think of an iceberg when it comes to substance abuse:

What we see above the surface:

  • Problem Drinking
  • Substance Misuse
  • Social Disconnection
  • Lack of Control



What we don’t see below the surface:

  • Childhood Trauma
  • Mental Health Challenges
  • Physical, Emotional, & Sexual Abuse
  • Poverty
  • Depression
  • Grief & Loss