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Adverse Childhood Experiences

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Early childhood experiences shape our minds and play a large role in how we interact with the world. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can increase the risk of physical and mental illnesses later in life, including substance use disorders. ACEs are stressful experiences, such as abuse, neglect and household dysfunction, that occur before age 18 years. Understanding how ACEs affect brain development and shape health outcomes is essential for identifying risk for substance use and associated harms. This information can also help to identify points of intervention to prevent or treat substance use later in life.

What is The Brain Story?

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CCSA is collaborating with the Alberta Family Wellness Initiative (AFWI), the developer of the Brain Story. The Brain Story describes, for non-experts, the science and the relationships among ACEs, brain development and health outcomes, using five metaphors. Our goal is to expand the reach, accessibility and understanding of the Brain Story science to raise awareness of substance use as a public health issue, reduce stigma, and change policy and practice accordingly.

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To achieve these goals through our partnership with AFWI, we have:
•    Translated the Brain Story certification course into French;
•    Promoted the Brain Story certification as a learning tool for professionals across sectors;
•    Led the Brain Builders Lab, which supported participants in developing, implementing and evaluating community-based projects that move the Brain Story knowledge into action.

Register for the Brain Story certification course using the unique English or French links.

To learn more about the Brain Story science and CCSA’s involvement, please email BrainStory@ccsa.ca.

To see the change others have already created in their own communities, please view our Impact Videos.

We’re proud to foster the growing Brain Builders community.
 

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Contact an Expert

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Get to know our experts at CCSA. Whether it is alcohol, cannabis, stigma, opioids, or any another topic related to substance use and addiction, our team of professionals is available to provide their knowledge expertise. Browse our staff profiles to find the right expert to meet your specific needs.

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Guidance, Tools and Resources

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CCSA produces research-based publications, tools, and resources to support evidence-based decision-making on substance use health issues. Select your area of interest from the categories below to learn more: 

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Substances

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CCSA produces a variety of substance use- and addiction-related publications for researchers, policy makers and health service providers. We provide guidance to decision makers through harnessing the power of research, collecting and organizing knowledge, and bringing together diverse perspectives. 

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Health and Public Safety

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CCSA conducts research, develops tools and resources, and produces targeted materials to support evidence-based decisions and public policy. Review our key resources on health and public safety in relation to substance use health and addiction issues.

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People and Communities

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CCSA is dedicated to the health and well-being of individuals and communities, focusing on the impact of substance use across the lifespan, the perspectives of people with lived experience, and the roles of stigma, sex and gender, and educators in substance use health.

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Keep informed with Addiction News Daily and the CCENDU newsletter, alerts, and bulletins

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CCSA is pleased to offer the opportunity to sign up to receive news and publications on substance use trends, helping to reduce harm by supporting evidence-informed decisions.