Substance Use

Children and youth choose to use substances for many different reasons, including coping with stress or mental health, trauma, social pressure, curiosity, or a desire for connection and belonging. Understanding these motivations is essential to providing non‑judgmental, developmentally appropriate care.

The use of substances among children and youth can lead to serious health impacts, particularly when intoxication or withdrawal occurs. These situations can be unpredictable and, at times, life‑threatening, requiring a coordinated and youth focused approach to care. Young people may present with acute intoxication, withdrawal, interactions between substances and medications, or a worsening of physical or mental health concerns in the context of substance use.

The resources below offer guidance for clinicians and teams supporting young people through substance intoxication and withdrawal. The resources have also been incorporated into RIPPL: Resources for Interdisciplinary Practice and Learning for you to include in your competency assessment and learning plans. 

Provincial Guideline and Documents

• Provincial Child and Youth Substance Intoxication and Withdrawal Guideline for Acute Care Settings
• Table of Assessment and Treatment Recommendations by Substance 

Provider Resources 

• Tips for Engaging Children and Youth in Acute Care Settings
• Common Street Names for Substances - Print File
• Interpreting Urine Drug Tests - Print File
• Child & Youth Information Sharing Decision Support Tool 8 x 11
• Child & Youth Information Sharing Decision Support Tool 11 x 17

Provider Resources for Knowledge Translation 

• Provincial Child and Youth Substance Use Curriculum is a self-directed provincial education curriculum to advance evidence-based, youth and family centered substance use care in acute environments. 
• Provincial Child & Youth Substance Intoxication and Withdrawal Guideline Webinar Series