Alcohol

Drinking less is better.

No amount or type of alcohol is good for your health.
When choosing to drink, know your risks and drink safely.
Reducing the amount of alcohol you drink, in any amount, will have a positive impact on your health.
Drinking more increases your risk of harms.
Alcohol affects people differently. Even in small amounts, any kind of alcohol can be harmful regardless of tolerance, age, sex or other factors.
When pregnant or breastfeeding, no amount is safe.
Alcohol increases the intoxicating and impairing effects of other substances. If drinking, avoid mixing with other substances. It is safer to choose one or the other, not both.

Alcohol and your health

If you choose to drink, know the risks.

Alcohol is a leading risk factor for disease, disability and premature death in Canada. Even in small quantities, drinking can be harmful to your health. Long-term impacts from drinking include heart and liver disease, cancer and mental health issues. Any amount you cut back is beneficial. Canadians can use this scale to see their risk of harm and premature death from alcohol based on their own drinking habits.

We know that drinking more than two standard drinks per drinking occasion is associated with an increased risk of harm to self and others, including injuries and violence.

Drinking can cause you to have slowed reaction time, impaired judgment, and poor coordination. You may feel flushed, dizzy, or forgetful. For some, the effects of alcohol and hangovers can induce anxiety and increase stress. Regular, excessive drinking can cause social, professional or financial harm.

For more information, visit Canada's Guidance on Alcohol and Health.

Check your drinking (self quiz)

Ever wonder how your drinking measures up? Take the Check your Drinking self quiz.

Stay safe while drinking

Drinking safely is important to your wellbeing and others’. Things you can do to stay safe:

Keep track of how many standard drinks you have per week
Set a target and stick to the limits you have set for yourself.
Read the label. Choose drinks with a lower percentage of alcohol.
Drink slowly and in small sips.
Have a pitcher of water on hand.
For every drink of alcohol, have one non-alcoholic drink.
Try some alcohol-free alternatives.
Eat food before drinking.
Never drink and drive.
Never ride with someone who you suspect is impaired.
It is okay not to drink alcohol. You don’t need to explain your health choices to anyone.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

Your BAC is the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream, often referred to as a percentage. Your body can process and remove about one standard drink of alcohol per hour, depending on your age, health, sex, size and food intake at the time of drinking.

A BAC of 0.05 or higher puts you at increased risk of short-term alcohol related harms like injuries, motor vehicle collisions, incidents of violence and alcohol poisoning. Use the BAC Chart - Smart Serve tool to help estimate your BAC.

Risky drinking

Mixing alcohol with other substances

Drinking alcohol while using other substances can cause additional harm. Your body may respond differently while under the influence of these substances. It is always a good idea to have someone you trust with you as a safety measure when you are drinking and using other substances.

Cannabis mixed with alcohol increases impairment, which can lead to risky choices and increases the risk of injury, falls or death.
Caffeine from energy drinks, coffee or other sources can mask the effects of alcohol, leading to binge drinking, impaired driving, and increased risk of injury or harm.
Medication may not work properly when mixed with alcohol. Talk to your pharmacist or health care provider about any potential interactions between alcohol and your medications.
Avoid mixing multiple substances, like recreational or street drugs, with alcohol.

Impaired driving or cycling

Impairment begins with the first drink. Both alcohol and drugs impair thinking, judgment, perception and reaction time. Plan a safe ride with a friend, use public transportation,  taxis or a ride-sharing service. Don’t drink and drive.

Binge drinking and alcohol poisoning

Binge drinking is having many drinks on one occasion. For males, it is five or more drinks, and for females, it is four or more.

Alcohol poisoning can be a consequence of binge drinking. This can cause areas of the brain that control basic life-support functions, like breathing, heart rate and temperature control, to shut down. This puts you at increased risk of coma or death.

Know the signs of alcohol poisoning

Unconsciousness or semi-consciousness; the person cannot be awakened
Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin
Slow breathing (less than eight breaths per minute) or irregular breathing (with ten seconds or more between breaths)
Vomiting when unconscious and not waking up after vomiting

Remember: not everyone with alcohol poisoning will show the signs listed above.

What to do if someone shows signs of alcohol poisoning

Parenting, pregnancy and alcohol

It is not recommended to consume alcohol during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. For more information visit our Substance use during pregnancy or breastfeeding page.

For information on how to discuss and demonstrate safe alcohol habits with your child, visit Parenting and Substance Use.