How does alcohol affect my health?

Alcohol is the most used drug in our society. 

Alcohol’s effects are the same no matter what alcoholic beverage you drink. Any beverage that contains alcohol — beer, wine, cider, and spirits carry the same risks of harm.

There is a continuum of risk associated with weekly alcohol consumption where the risk of harm from alcohol is: 

• Low for individuals who consume 2 standard drinks or less per week 
• Moderate for those who consume between 3 and 6 standard drinks per week 
• Increasingly high for those who consume 7 standard drinks or more per week

Standard drink size information can be found at Know Alcohol.

Any reduction in alcohol consumption is beneficial. When you know where you sit on the continuum, you can make informed decisions on your level of risk. 

For further support assessing your personal alcohol consumption risks see Knowing your Limits with Alcohol.

For support in reducing alcohol drinking speak with your doctor or go to ConnexOntario. Many services are free, and an agent is available 24/7. 

How alcohol affects you depends on several factors, including:

• the amount you drink
• how quickly you drink
• your sex, age, and body size
• the amount of food you have eaten 
• other drugs you have taken
• your overall health 

Short Term Risks:

Alcohol is a drug that impairs judgement and decision making and can have serious short-term consequences including:

• impaired attention, concentration, and judgement
• unintentional injuries
• drowsiness, slow reaction time, blurred vision
• impulsive, aggressive, and violent behaviour
• impaired or loss of memory
• severe alcohol intoxication (overdose)

Taking alcohol with other drugs (prescription and non-prescription) or energy drinks can have more harmful consequences then using each one alone. Avoid mixing alcohol and other drugs.

Alcohol and Cancer: Alcohol is a carcinogen, a substance that causes cancer. Alcohol is known to cause at least 7 different types of cancer. Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada. Visit CAMH for more information.

Alcohol and Liver Disease: Alcohol is one of the main causes of liver disease. Liver disease is on the rise in Canada. To learn more visit CAMH.

Alcohol and Youth: Alcohol use is common in youth and is by far the most common substance used by students in Ontario (OSDHUS, 2023). Alcohol use puts young people at risk of injury, alcohol poisoning and for taking actions they may regret later. Alcohol use can have a negative impact on their developing brain. Youth should delay alcohol use for as long as possible. For more information about Alcohol and Youth visit Drug Free Kids Canada and Talk with Your Kids. 

Alcohol and Older Adults: As you age you become more sensitive to the effects of alcohol, and your body processes alcohol more slowly. Consider decreasing your alcohol consumption and perhaps not drinking at all, especially if you have a health condition. Find out more about Alcohol and Older Adults at CAMH. 

Alcohol and Pregnancy: There is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy for someone who is trying to get pregnant. It is safest to not drink alcohol when pregnant or trying to become pregnant. To learn more visit Alcohol and Pregnancy.

Alcohol and Breastfeeding: Drinking alcohol while breastfeeding can be harmful as alcohol can pass through breast milk and expose the breastfeeding infant. It is safest to not drink alcohol while breastfeeding. To learn more, visit Alcohol and Breastfeeding.