{"id":2285,"date":"2023-04-20T15:39:42","date_gmt":"2023-04-20T19:39:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stationsme.ca\/explorer-par-sujet\/consommation-et-dependance\/"},"modified":"2026-03-18T13:44:26","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T17:44:26","slug":"consommation-et-dependance","status":"publish","type":"subject","link":"https:\/\/stationsme.ca\/en\/students\/taking-care-of-yourself\/exploring-subject\/consommation-et-dependance\/","title":{"rendered":"Substance use and addiction"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The transition to adulthood and post-secondary education is a good time to start experimenting with new substances, games, technology, online shopping and more. There are many possibilities that can provide an escape to quickly reduce stress or experience pleasure in the present moment.<\/strong> Consumer behaviours aren\u2019t always harmful. However, it\u2019s important to keep an eye open to minimize your risk of developing an addiction by knowing how to recognize it, or substance abuse, to the point of harming your life and health. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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View all tools for this subject<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

WHAT IS AN ADDICTION? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Addiction means feeling the need to consume something or perform an action without being able to control oneself, despite the inconvenience. Let\u2019s take a look at the addiction cycle in the illustration below.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we experience a difficult situation or encounter a problem, an uncomfortable emotion can generate the urge to use a substance or engage in a specific behaviour to reduce suffering. In doing so, the body is soothed, and the brain produces dopamine, also known as the pleasure molecule. It\u2019s at this point, too, that a change occurs in the reward system: the brain registers that the solution put in place has been effective in warding off uncomfortable emotions. However, this state of calm is temporary and can quickly give way to feelings of anxiety, guilt, and shame. Then, as you\u2019ll have guessed… the cycle starts all over again!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It\u2019s also important to understand that a tolerance threshold may develop. In others words, the amount of substance will have to be increased or the behaviour repeated more frequently to produce the same dose of dopamine and avoid physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. This is what happens when, for example, you feel the need to consume three beers rather than one to cope with the stress experienced at the end of the day, or when every evening video game sessions always end a little later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to recognize the consequences of addiction?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You observe that the person:<\/p>\n\n\n\n