Stigma surrounding addiction and substance use thrives on myths. Behind every number or headline is a real person with a story. In reality, people, not numbers, live with addiction. Across Canada, many people continue to be impacted by the opioid crisis and preventable overdose deaths. The issue is also prominent close to home—in 2023, there were 250 emergency department visits for opioid overdoses alone among York Region residents.
By separating facts from fiction, we can foster understanding, encourage compassion, and end stigma. Campaigns like Someone’s Someone by CMHA Ontario humanize addiction and provide best practices for supporting individuals with substance use disorders.
Here are 5 myths about addiction that fuel stigma, and practical ways each of us can talk about it without further stigmatizing.
Myth 1: Addiction is a moral failing
Often, people believe that someone who struggles with substance use or addiction is weak or lacks willpower.
In reality, no one chooses to develop an addiction. It is a health issue. Many things can contribute to it, including stress, trauma, genetics, and mental health. According to the 2023 Canadian Substance Use Survey, “those rating their mental health as poor or fair were 4 times more likely to have used any illegal substance in the past 12 months.”
Seeing addiction as a health issue helps people get the care and support they deserve. Real people represent every addiction, overdose, or drug poisoning statistic you see.
Myth 2: You can tell someone is struggling with addiction by their appearance or housing
Many people carry stereotypes about what addiction “looks like.” Transforming the image we hold in our mind’s eye is an important step in our collective journey to ending stigma.
Substance use issues can affect anyone from all walks of life, regardless of their appearance, background, housing status, ethnicity, race or gender. Anyone could be struggling – your friendly barista, the commuters you’re surrounded by each morning and evening, and even your family and neighbors. People who use substances are important members of families and communities. They are our neighbours, coworkers, family members, and friends. Research shows that many people struggling with substance use have stable housing, jobs, and families.
We never know what someone’s journey may look like, so the best approach is empathy and understanding.
Myth 3: Harm reduction enables drug use
It’s often claimed, and sometimes reinforced by the media, that supervised injection sites encourage addiction. In reality, harm reduction saves lives without increasing substance use. The data shows that these services make communities safer and healthier. They play a crucial role in reducing overdoses and drug poisoning through immediate interventions.
Programs that offer safer supplies and support services can reduce overdose deaths and improve overall health outcomes. Harm reduction equips people with tools and knowledge to make safer decisions and supports their recovery and reintegration into their communities.
Myth 4: “Just say no” is a feasible option for people struggling with addiction
It’s easy to look in from the outside and ask why people who struggle with substance use don’t just ask for help or utilize available resources.
According to a report from Public Health Ontario, less than one-third of people with opioid use disorder who died from an opioid-related toxicity had received recommended medications in the month before their death. Many people are disengaged from medical care for addictions and substance use, which further emphasizes the need for integrated harm reduction.
This is a systemic issue which calls for policy reforms, peer support, and outreach. It also requires that health care is a safe space for people to receive non-judgemental care.
Myth 5: Language around addiction doesn’t matter
It’s proven that stigma—in the form of language and ideals—around addiction leads to worse health outcomes. In fact, stigma is increasingly recognized as a pressing public health problem.
Addiction and substance use stigma often stems from healthcare institutions themselves and prevents people from seeking care. According to the Mental Health Commission July 2019 opioid report, many respondents emphasized that the crux of the problem was how language is used to reinforce social distance or devalue people with lived experience of opioid or other drug use. Terms such as “dirty, clean, misuse, abuse, addict” are outdated and reinforce stigma.
When we equip ourselves with knowledge, training, and compassionate, non-stigmatizing language, we create better care and stronger paths to recovery. It ends stigma, so more people feel safe to ask for help when they need it most.
If you, or someone you know and love needs compassionate support, click here.
Sources:
Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario. “The Real Impact of Consumption and Treatment Services on Community Safety.” Accessed November 12, 2025. https://ontario.cmha.ca/news/the-real-impact-of-consumption-treatment-services-on-community-safety/.
Government of Canada. “Canadian Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CADS): Summary of Results for 2023.” Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/canadian-alcohol-drugs-survey/2023-summary.html.
Mental Health Commission of Canada. Strengthening the Evidence: Opioid-Related Harms and Interventions. Accessed November 12, 2025. https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/wp-content/uploads/drupal/2019-07/Opioid_Report_july_2019_eng.pdf.
Public Health Agency of Canada. A Primer to Reduce Substance Use Stigma in the Health System. Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/phac-aspc/documents/services/publications/healthy-living/primer-reduce-substance-use-stigma-health-system/stigma-primer-eng.pdf.
Public Health Ontario. “ODPRN Report.” Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/About/News/2024/03/ODPRN-Report.
Someone’s Someone. “Home.” Accessed November 12, 2025. https://someonessomeone.ca/home/.
York Region. “Opioids.” Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.york.ca/health/substance-use/opioids.
