Addiction 101

How common is addiction?


graphic showing six illegal substances

Over the course of the 2015, 13 per cent of people in Canada used at least one of six illegal substances, an increase from 11 per cent in 2013. The increases were mainly in the use of cannabis, hallucinogens and ecstasy (Health Canada, 2017).1

Approximately 21.6 per cent of people in Canada meet the criteria for substance use disorder during their lifetime (Pearson et al., 2013).

map of Canada illustrating 21.6 per cent
Women 10% - Men 15%

Males (15 per cent) are more likely to use illegal substances than females (10 per cent) (Health Canada, 2017).

Youth between 15 and 19 (21 per cent) and young adults between 20 and 24 (31 per cent) are more likely to use illegal substances than adults age 25 years or older (10 per cent) (Health Canada, 2017).

21% of youth, 31% of young adults and 10% of adults are more likely to use illegal substances

18.1 per cent of people in Canada met the criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence, making it the most commonly misused substance (Pearson et al., 2013).

More Canadians have symptoms of problematic cannabis use (6.8 per cent) than any other illegal drug (4 per cent) (Pearson et al., 2013).2

Women 10% - Men 15%

In Canada, 2.4 percent of the general population has a gambling problem (Williams et al., 2012).

22 per cent of Canadians over age 15 have taken psychoactive prescription drugs, specifically opioid pain relievers, stimulants (such as medication prescribed for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and tranquillizers/sedatives. Of that population, 3 per cent abused the drug (Health Canada, 2017).

21% of youth, 31% of young adults and 10% of adults are more likely to use illegal substances

1. This study was completed before the legalization of cannabis in 2018; as such, cannabis is defined as an illegal substance.
2. This study was completed before the legalization of cannabis in 2018.


Addiction 101 © , CAMH.