Quebec, Canada’s second-most populous province, faces significant addiction challenges with
approximately 600,000 residents affected by substance use disorders. The province
experienced over 500 opioid-related deaths in 2023, though rates remain lower than
Western Canada. Alcohol use disorder remains the most prevalent substance issue, affecting an estimated
3.8% of Quebec adults.

Quebec operates a distinct healthcare model with Centres intégrés de santé et de services sociaux (CISSS)
coordinating addiction services regionally. The province emphasizes community-based treatment and harm
reduction, with strong public infrastructure in urban areas but service gaps in remote regions. Treatment
is primarily conducted in French, though English services are available in Montreal and certain regions.

Substance Use in Quebec

According to Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) and provincial health data:

500+ opioid-related deaths in 2023 (lower per-capita rate than Western provinces)
Fentanyl presence increasing but less prevalent than BC/Alberta
Alcohol: 20% of Quebecers report hazardous drinking (highest in Canada)
Cannabis: 22% used cannabis in past year
Cocaine use: Montreal has higher cocaine use rates than national average
600,000+ Quebecers estimated to have substance use disorder

Sources: Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ); Quebec Coroner Reports;
Enquête québécoise sur la santé de la population (2023)

Treatment Options in Quebec

Public (Government-Funded) Treatment

Quebec’s public system operates through regional CISSS/CIUSSS centers:

• Ligne québécoise d’aide en toxicomanie: 1-800-265-2626 (24/7, French/English)
• Detoxification: Hospital and community-based withdrawal management. Typically
2-5 day wait.
• Residential treatment: Publicly-funded beds available (28-90 days). Wait times:
2-6 weeks depending on region.
• External centers (CRD/CRT): Community-based residential treatment funded by RAMQ.
Readaptation centers for addiction.
• Methadone/buprenorphine: Covered by RAMQ. Clinics in Montreal, Quebec City,
Gatineau, other urban centers.
• Outpatient counseling: Free through CISSS and community organizations.

Private Treatment

• Cost: $8,000-$35,000 for 30-90 day programs
• Location: Montreal, Quebec City, Laurentians, Eastern Townships
• Language: Both French and English programs available
• Insurance: Many Quebec employers include addiction coverage (typically $5,000-$15,000)

Quebec-Specific Resources

• Ligne québécoise d’aide en toxicomanie: 1-800-265-2626
• Info-Santé 811: Health information and addiction referrals
• CRAN (Centre de recherche et d’aide pour narcomanes): Montreal harm reduction,
supervised injection—cran.qc.ca
• MSSS (Ministère de la Santé): Provincial health ministry addiction resources

Sources & References

1. Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ). Surveillance des décès liés aux opioïdes. 2024.
inspq.qc.ca

2. Gouvernement du Québec. Enquête québécoise sur la santé de la population. 2023.
statistique.quebec.ca

3. Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec. Services en dépendance. 2024.
quebec.ca

4. Centre de recherche et d’aide pour narcomanes (CRAN). Services de réduction des méfaits. 2024.
cran.qc.ca

Need Help in Quebec?

Call our 24/7 helpline to speak with an addiction specialist and find the right treatment program in Quebec.

Call +1-877-254-3348