Drinking Safely

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 to reduce your drinking.
- 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 prior to 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 amount of alcohol in your bloodstream often referred to as a percentage.
Use the BAC Chart - Smart Serve tool to help estimate your BAC. |
What is a standard drink? |
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Risky drinking
Some ways of drinking are riskier than others. Avoid these drinking behaviours to prevent harms related to alcohol.
Mixing with other substances |
Cannabis Mixing alcohol and cannabis increases impairment, which can lead to risky choices. Simultaneous use of alcohol and cannabis are associated with increased intoxication and impairment which increases the risk of injury, falls or death. Avoid drinking and using cannabis by choosing one if using. Caffeine Mixing alcohol with caffeine can mask the effects of alcohol. This can lead to binge drinking, impaired driving, and increased risk of injury or harm. Avoid mixing energy drinks or caffeinated beverages to stay safe.
Medications Drinking alcohol while taking medications can change how your body responds to the medications. Talk to your pharmacist or your healthcare provider about any potential interactions between alcohol and your medications.
Other substances Drinking alcohol while using other substances can cause additional harm. Your body may respond differently while under the influence of these substances. Avoid mixing multiple substances and have someone you trust with you as a safety measure. |
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 (Grand River Transit), taxi, or a ride sharing service (i.e. Lyft, Uber). Don’t drink and drive. |
Binge drinking and alcohol poisoning |
Binge drinking is having many drinks on one occasion:
Alcohol poisoning can be a consequence of binge drinking. This can cause areas of the brain that control basic life-support functions to shut down. These functions include:
This puts you at increased risk of coma and/or death. Know the signs of alcohol poisoning
Remember: not everyone with alcohol poisoning will show the signs listed above. What to do if someone shows signs of alcohol poisoning
Recovery position
Please visit Hey, are you okay? from Health Canada for more information. |
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