Adverse Childhood Experiences

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.

In this section:

Brain Builders Lab
Impact Videos
Impact Case Studies

What is The Brain Story?

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.

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.
 

Get to know our team of experts

Alexander Caudarella, MDCM CCFP AM ABAM(d)

CEO

Area of Expertise:

  • Harm Reduction
  • Opioids
  • Recovery
  • Treatment
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Karen Cumberland, MPA

Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Community Outreach​

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François Gagnon, PhD

Senior Scientist and Special Policy Advisor

Area of Expertise:

  • Alcohol
  • Cannabis
  • Gambling
  • Harm Reduction
  • Policy
  • More Area of Expertise
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Pam Kent, PhD

Director, Research and Emerging Trends

Area of Expertise:

  • Cannabis
  • Mental Health
  • SGBA+
  • Substance Use Costs
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Shawna Meister, MA

Associate Director, Innovation and Evidence in Practice

Area of Expertise:

  • Impaired Driving
  • Workplace
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Adam Sherk, PhD

Senior Scientist and Special Policy Advisor

Area of Expertise:

  • Alcohol
  • Policy
  • Substance Use Costs
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Sheena Taha, PhD

Associate Director, Quality and Accountability

Area of Expertise:

  • Cannabis
  • Harm Reduction
  • Opioids
  • Treatment
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John Weekes, PhD

Director, Knowledge Mobilization and Strategic Partnerships

Area of Expertise:

  • Substance Use Costs
  • Substance Use Epidemiology
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Aisha Giwa, PhD

Knowledge Broker

Area of Expertise:

  • Cannabis
  • Impaired Driving
  • Mental Health
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Contact an Expert

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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Latest CCSA Updates

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OPENING REMARKS BEFORE THE HOUSE OF COMMONS STANDING COMMITTEE ON HEALTH
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Joint Statement from Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction and European Union Drugs Agency
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Browse the CCSA Network of Websites

CCSA's Issues of Substance Conference

This biannual, national conference brings together people from across the country, including addiction workers, healthcare professionals, researchers, policy makers, and people with lived and living experience
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Canadian Substance Use Costs and Harms

This project provides comparable and up-to-date data on the costs and harms of substance use in Canada and allows people to explore and analyze the data through its data visualization tool.
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Workforce Competencies

CCSA developed measurable technical and behaviour competencies in knowledge, skills and values for the substance use workforce, providing consistent care across the wide range of settings.
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Drink Less Live More

Canada has new guidance on alcohol and your health. CCSA wants you to be able to make the most informed decisions you can about drinking alcohol.
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Lower Risk Gambling Guidelines

Learn about the world’s first Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines to help people in Canada make informed decisions about their gambling and lessen their risk of gambling-related harms. Use the Interactive Risk Assessment Tool to assess your personal gambling choices.
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The Highway Home

This interactive website takes an experiential approach to increasing youth’s and young drivers’ awareness of the risks and harms of drug-impaired driving, using real-life scenarios involving cannabis use and driving.
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CECA

CCSA contributes to the strategy development and provides secretariat, financial and support services to the council — a national, non-governmental organization that influences public policy on substance use.
Learn more