The word “addiction” comes from the Latin word Addictus – which meant a person enslaved for debt or theft. Today, addiction denotes a person who is enslaved to a substance or other activity.

Most commonly, addiction is associated with substance use disorder, commonly called drug addiction. The phenomenon of addiction, however, can occur with other things and behaviours – food, pornography, shopping and gambling are some examples. To find out whether you are addicted to a substance or behaviour, take the following quiz below based on information from the following site:

https://elevationshealth.com/take-our-addiction-quiz

Answer the following question with either yes or no.

• Have you missed time from work due to use of the substance or engaging in the behaviour?

• Are you experiencing home life issues due to use of the substance or engaging in the behaviour?

• Have you used the substance or engaged in the behaviour in order to deal with social anxiety?

• Have you experienced issues with your reputation due to use of the substance or engaging in the behaviour?

• Have you ever felt guilty or remorseful after use of the substance or engaging in the behaviour?

• Have you experienced financial difficulties due to your use of the substance or engaging in the behaviour?

• Have you sought out individuals you would normally not associate with due to use of the substance or engaging in the behaviour?

• Have you engaged in reckless or careless activities due to use of the substance or engaging in the behaviour?

• Have you lost the ambition to participate in activities you once loved?

• When not using the substance or engaging in the behaviour do you crave them?

• Do you use the substance or engage in the behaviour in the morning?

• Do you have difficulty sleeping without use of the substance or engaging in the behaviour?

• Have you become less efficient due to use of the substance or engaging in the behaviour?

• Has it affected your ability to work?

• Have you ever used the substance or engaged in the behaviour in order to escape worry or unwanted emotions?

• Do you usually use the substance or engage in the behaviour alone?

• Have you ever experienced a blackout due to use of the substance?

• Have you ever been treated for substance abuse or for process/behavioural addictions?

• Do you use the substance or engage in the behaviour because of the self-confidence boost they give you?

• Have you ever been hospitalized or institutionalized due to use of the substance or engaging in the behaviour?

“Yes” to fewer than 3 questions: you don’t likely have a drug or alcohol problem

“Yes” to 3 questions: you may have a drug or alcohol problem.

“Yes” to 4-7 questions: you may be in the early stages of alcoholism or addiction.

“Yes” to 7-10 questions: you may be in the second stage of alcoholism or drug addiction.

“Yes” to more than 10 questions: you may be in end-stage alcoholism or drug addiction.

JACS Vancouver integrates a biopsychosocial approach to addressing some of the unique issues affecting families and individuals dealing with addiction. Our staff and volunteers are trained to address issues such as intergenerational trauma, multi layered pressure to succeed, and codependency, among others from a Jewish perspective.

JACS Vancouver does not charge for its services. The services and programs we offer are free to the community. JACS Vancouver is currently 100% funded by generous donations from individuals and family foundations in our community. JACS Vancouver needs the community’s continued and increased support to carry on this important work. Please consider making a donation.

If your friend or loved one won’t seek help, the best thing to do is to seek support for yourself from a professional, spiritual advisor, and/or by joining support groups. Feel free to contact us by email or call us at 778-882-2994 if you’d like some guidance on where to start.

JACS Vancouver is currently 100% funded by generous donations from individuals and family foundations. JACS Vancouver relies on your support to carry on this important work as an investment in our community’s future. Please consider making a donation.

1. We take people by the hand and help them make their own decisions about their path to recovery. We provide support and encouragement along the entire way, for them and their loved ones. We counter the isolating nature of this disease by physically being there for any person with addiction.
2. JACS Vancouver staff are addiction specialists and experts, exclusively focussed on supporting and guiding those affected by substance use and/or addiction related issues. This skilled focus and dedicated team approach is critical to competently addressing the complexities of addiction in our community.
3. By helping JACS Vancouver, we are helping ourselves. Every single one of us could find ourselves struggling with addiction and in need of JACS Vancouver’s services.

As a non-profit, JACS Vancouver relies on your donations and volunteering to help address the problem of addiction in our community. Please consider making a donation. We are also in need of volunteers. If you are interested, please email us to discuss how you may be of service. Thank you!