Alcohol can affect the way you think, act, and feel. Drinking alcohol is a personal choice; however, there are short and long-term health risks associated with drinking alcohol. These health risks include, but are not limited to:
- alcohol poisoning
- psychosis
- injury
- brain and liver damage
- heart disease
- cancer
- alcohol use disorder
- addiction
The more alcohol you drink, the higher your risk for health and social harms.
If I choose to drink alcohol, how do I reduce my risks?
Canada's Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines are available to help you make informed decisions when choosing to drink alcohol.
Reduce your long-term health risks by limiting drinking to no more than:
- 10 drinks a week for women, with no more than two drinks a day most days.
- 15 drinks a week for men, with no more than three drinks a day most days.
- Plan non-drinking days every week.
For women who are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or are breastfeeding, the safest choice is to drink no alcohol at all. Find out more about how alcohol affects women differently than it affects men.
How can I talk to my kids about alcohol?
Youth and teens should delay their drinking as it can harm the way the body and brain develops. The following resources are available to help you have open and meaningful conversations about alcohol with the youth in your life:
Where can I go for help?
If you are worried about yourself or someone you know, there are places that can help.
Adult services:
- ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
- Mental Health Crisis Line for children and youth, their families, caregivers and service providers