Meeting in a Box Tools & Resources

Last updated on January 10, 2024

Sample Scenarios & Discussion Questions

Use these scenarios to generate discussion during your meeting:

Information on Substances and Conditions

 

Legal Substances and Common Conditions

 
Substance or condition Description / effect Reference
Alcohol

Alcohol is a depressant drug that can slow down the parts of the brain that affect thinking, behaviour, breathing and heart rate.

CAMH Mental Illness & Addiction Index: Alcohol
Cannabis

Cannabis is a psychoactive drug that is used for non-medical (e.g. recreational) and medical purposes.

Cannabis contains several chemical compounds called cannabinoids that affect the brain and the body’s central nervous system.

CAMH Mental Illness & Addiction Index: Cannabis

Get Cannabis Clarity

Fatigue

Fatigue is the state of feeling very tired, weary or sleepy resulting from insufficient sleep, prolonged mental or physical work, or extended periods of stress or anxiety. Research has shown that the number of hours awake can be similar to blood alcohol levels:

  • 17 hours awake is equivalent to a blood alcohol content of 0.05
  • 21 hours awake is equivalent to a BAC of 0.08 (legal limit in Canada)
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety: Fatigue
Insomnia

Insomnia is difficulty getting enough sleep or trouble sleeping without interruption. Insomnia of any kind can keep you from feeling rested and refreshed during the day.

Drugs.com Health Guide: Insomnia

Caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant that speeds up the central nervous system. It stimulates the brain, elevates the mood and postpones fatigue. “[T]he world’s most popular drug” (CAMH)

CAMH Mental Illness & Addiction Index: Caffeine

 

 

Prescription Drugs

 
Substance or condition Description/effect Reference
Codeine

Codeine is an opioid pain medication, sometimes called a narcotic. Codeine is used to treat mild to moderately severe pain (e.g. Tylenol 3).

Drugs.com Health Guide: Codeine
Opioids

Opioids are a family of drugs that are usually prescribed to relieve pain, control coughs and diarrhea and treat addiction to other opioids.

CAMH Mental Illness & Addiction Index: Opioids
Benzodiazepines

Prescribed for relief of symptoms of anxiety (e.g. panic attacks, fear, worry) and for insomnia.

“[T]he most widely prescribed psychoactive drugs in the world” (CAMH)

Common drug names include Ativan, Valium, Xanax

CAMH Mental Illness & Addiction Index: Benzodiazepines

 

 

Non-prescription (over the counter) drugs

Substance or condition Description/effect Reference
Antihistamines Drowsiness is one of the major side effects of some antihistamines, e.g. diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and doxylamine succinate (Nyquil)

Drugs.com Health Guide: Diphenhydramine

Drugs.com Health Guide: Doxylamine succinate

Sleep aids There are many drugs used as sleep aids for insomnia. The substance info link provides a list of the many medications that are over-the-counter (OTC) and off-label (generic) and are in some way related to or used as sleep aids. Drugs.com Health Guide: Medications for Insomnia

 

 

Illegal Drugs

 
Substance or Condition Description/effect Reference
Amphetamines

Amphetamines are stimulant drugs that speed up the central nervous system. These drugs can cause addiction if they are misused.

CAMH Mental Illness & Addiction Index: Amphetamines
Cocaine and crack

Cocaine is a stimulant drug that can make people feel more alert and energetic. Cocaine can also make people feel euphoric, or “high.” ​

CAMH Mental Illness & Addiction Index: Cocaine
Heroin

​Heroin is an illegal opioid that is dangerous and highly addictive.

CAMH Mental Illness & Addiction Index: Heroin

 

Cannabis - Additional Information

Overview

Health

Lower-Risk Use Guidelines

General Resources