October Health – 2025 Report

Addiction in Canada

The leading cause of addiction-related stress in Canada at the population level is often linked to social and economic factors such as job insecurity, financial stress, and workplace pressures. These factors contribute significantly to stress, which can lead to substance use as a coping mechanism. Workplace mental health programs, like those offered through digital group sessions and assessments by services like October, can help address these stressors in the employee population.

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Addiction Prevalence
10%
Affected people
5,500,000

Impact on the people of Canada

  • Health Effects:

    • Increased risk of mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders
    • Physical health problems including weakened immune system, cardiovascular issues, and sleep disturbances
    • Reduced ability to recover from illness due to chronic stress effects

  • Personal Life Effects:

    • Strained relationships with family, friends, and colleagues due to mood swings and behavioral changes
    • Decreased productivity and engagement at work, potentially leading to job loss or underperformance
    • Financial difficulties stemming from addiction-related expenses and possible job instability

Workplace Note: Offering digital group sessions through platforms like October can provide employees with accessible support and education to manage addiction stress effectively.

Impact on the Canada Economy

Effects of High Addiction Stress on an Economy

  1. Reduced Worker Productivity:
    Addiction-related stress leads to absenteeism, presenteeism, and decreased efficiency, lowering overall workplace output.

  2. Increased Healthcare Costs:
    Higher addiction rates result in greater demand for medical and mental health services, raising healthcare expenditures for businesses and public systems.

  3. Higher Unemployment and Job Turnover:
    Individuals struggling with addiction stress may face difficulties maintaining employment, increasing unemployment rates and turnover costs.

  4. Workplace Safety Risks:
    Addiction-related impairment can increase workplace accidents and liability issues, impacting organizational stability.

  5. Economic Burden on Social Services:
    Greater addiction stress strains social welfare programs due to increased need for support services.

For workplaces, implementing mental health support through digital group sessions and assessments, like those offered by October, can mitigate addiction stress and its economic impacts.

What can government do to assist? 

 Strategies to Lower Addiction-Related Stress in a Country

1. **Increase Access to Mental Health and Addiction Services**
   - Expand affordable, culturally sensitive treatment programs.
   - Promote digital group therapy options like October to provide peer support and accessible care.

2. **Workplace Mental Health Support**
   - Encourage companies to implement employee assistance programs.
   - Provide training on early signs of addiction-related stress and resources for help.

3. **Public Education and Awareness Campaigns**
   - Normalize seeking help for addiction and stress.
   - Educate on coping skills and resilience-building techniques.

4. **Policy and Regulation**
   - Control availability of addictive substances with balanced regulation.
   - Implement harm reduction strategies such as safe consumption sites.

5. **Community-Based Support Systems**
   - Foster peer support networks and community outreach initiatives.
   - Engage families in prevention and recovery efforts.

6. **Routine Mental Health Assessments**
   - Encourage workplaces to use tools and digital solutions for regular mental health check-ins, reducing stigma and enabling early intervention.

What can businesses do to assist their employees?

Ways a Company Can Lower Addiction Stress

  1. Promote Awareness and Education
    Provide employees with information about addiction and its impact on mental health through workshops or digital content.

  2. Create Supportive Policies
    Implement clear, compassionate policies around addiction and substance use that focus on support rather than punishment.

  3. Offer Access to Professional Help
    Facilitate easy access to addiction counseling, Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), or digital platforms like October that offer group sessions and assessments.

  4. Encourage Open Communication
    Foster a stigma-free workplace culture where employees feel safe discussing addiction-related issues without fear of discrimination.

  5. Provide Stress Management Resources
    Offer stress reduction tools and mental health resources to reduce triggers that could lead to addictive behaviors.

These steps can help reduce addiction-related stress and support overall workplace mental health.