Press Releases

For Immediate Release
September 15, 2009

How Much Sex is Too Much Sex?

Celebrated Panel of Addiction Experts in Toronto to Analyze The Many Faces of Addiction at a Symposium Presented by Bellwood Health Services

Addiction rates in Canada are on the rise, led by new and emerging addictions in the areas of sex and the Internet which are becoming intrinsically intertwined. The accessibility and convenience of the Internet has made it the "supplier" for those struggling with sexual addiction , problem gambling , and gaming, to name a few. While the Internet is playing a pivotal role in changing the face of addictions in Canada, the prevalence of drug and alcohol addiction continues to be as high, or even higher, than ever before. Substance abuse in Canada grips millions of individuals and their families, and puts workplaces and society at risk. In the end, substance abuse costs Canada $40 billion per year, yet most Canadians struggling with an addiction do not receive the help they need.

Toronto-based Bellwood Health Services has been helping individuals and families heal from addictions and discover the freedom of dependency-free living for 25 years. In keeping with its mission to provide both quality treatment AND education, Bellwood is hosting a cutting-edge symposium;

The Many Faces of Addiction on Thursday, October 1 and Friday, October 2, 2009.

What: The symposium will be one of the most wide-ranging addiction workshops ever held in Canada and will cover topics including:

The New Addictions: Sex and the Internet - online Shopping; Gaming and Gambling
The Science of Addiction: the neurobiology that gets us hooked
Mindfulness: The application of meditation practices to clinical problems
Workplace Trauma: How safe are we at work?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: The addiction/PTSD link

Who: Media are invited to attend select workshops over the two days. We are also pleased to offer one-on-one interviews at media's convenience with the following internationally renowned experts:

Penny Lawson, ICACD, ICCS, CSAT, one of Canada's leading experts in sexual addiction, and creator of Canada's first residential treatment program for sexual addiction. Penny's workshops are entitled Coming out of the Shadows: Understanding Sexual Addiction; and Caught in the Net: Internet Addiction

Mark Weiss, M.D., Medical Director at Bellwood Health Services. Dr. Weiss's workshop will cover: Mindfulness: the Latest Buzz in Psychotherapy - Does it Have a Role in Addiction Treatment?

Anne Pepper, M.Ed., C.C.C., who leads a treatment team that works with members of our Canadian Forces and Veterans Affairs struggling with post traumatic stress or trauma concurrently with addiction. Anne's workshop is called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: the Mind/Body Connection.

Linda Bell, ICADC, FACATA, CCS, Bellwood's founder, CEO and past President, has devoted her career to helping individuals struggling with addictions. Linda has worked extensively with family members affected by addictions, and as well has facilitated extensive workplace addiction training and education sessions with corporations across Canada.

When: October 1 and 2, 2009

Where: Ontario Science Centre 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto

Our spokespeople can address the latest issues, trends and treatment options in the areas of addiction. We can offer tips and advice on how to spot the warning signs that you or a loved one may be suffering from an addiction, and what you can do to get help.

Full descriptions of all workshops and presenters are available upon request or can be found at:
http://www.bellwood.ca/files/news/Bellwood_Symposium_2009_low_res_1251134816.pdf

Fast Facts on Addiction:

• 25 - 50 per cent of an addicted person's Internet activity occurs in the workplace;
• Overall substance abuse costs Canada up to $40 billion per year;
• 13 per cent of Canadians 15 years of age and older are high risk drinkers;
• 14 per cent of Canadians 15 years of age and older use illicit drugs;
• 5 per cent of Canadians can be classified as problem gamblers;
• The growth of the Internet has provided a safe and private way for people to access material that can lead to problematic sexual behaviour; and in many cases, people are becoming sex addicts who may not have in the past due to the Internet;
• It is estimated that up to 300,000 Canadian women have anorexia and up to 600,000 have bulimia;
• Yet, only 7 per cent of Canadians needing treatment for a mental or substance abuse disorder received help.

About Bellwood Health Services
Bellwood is celebrating its 25th year of serving Canadians with quality addiction treatment. The late Dr. Gordon Bell and his daughter Linda Bell, opened the Bellwood doors in Toronto in 1984, and have been working with individuals and families who are experiencing problems with alcohol and drugs, sex, problem gambling and eating disorders. For more information on any of Bellwood's treatment programs, visit www.bellwood.ca .
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Time and space at the symposium is limited so please book your time early. Dr. Weiss; Penny Lawson; and Anne Pepper are also available for one-on-on interviews at the media's convenience. For more information, or to book an interview or a spot at any workshop, please contact
David Weinstein or Timothy Chan at Strategic Objectives. TEL: 416-366-7735;
E-mail: davidw@strategicobjectives.com ; tchan@strategicobjectives.com