Alcohol

Alcohol can affect your overall health. Even a small amount of alcohol can be harmful. That’s why if you drink, it’s better to drink less. Following Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health can reduce the risk of health problems for everyone.

Alcohol use during pregnancy can result in serious lifelong harm for a developing baby, even before a person may know they are pregnant.

No alcohol is the only safe option when a person is trying to become pregnant, if they think they might be pregnant or if they know they are pregnant.

What effect could alcohol have on my body?

Alcohol affects many organs in the body. Even a small amount of alcohol can be harmful to health. The more alcohol you use per week, the more problems can add up.

If you use alcohol, following Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health can reduce the risk of many long-term health problems including:

-different types of cancers such as breast and colon cancer,

-heart disease and stroke

-liver disease

It can also decrease your risk of injury and violence.

Amount of Alcohol per week

The more alcohol you drink per week, the more problems can happen:

0 drinks per week- No Risk. Not drinking has benefits, like better health and better sleep.

1-2 standard drinks per week- Low Risk, you will likely avoid risks linked with alcohol use

3-6 standard drinks per week- Moderate risk, your risk of developing some types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer increases

7 or more standard drinks per week- Increasingly high risk. Your risk of heart disease or stroke increases. Each added standard drink greatly increases the risk of problems linked to alcohol use.

See Drinking Less is better for examples of what a standard drink means.

Alcohol can affect a person’s menstrual cycle. This can include irregular periods and changing when they start menopause (ending of they menstrual cycle). The amount of alcohol that can cause problems can be different for different people. However, the more alcohol you drink the higher your risks.

NOTE: For people who are pregnant, who are trying to become pregnant, or who may be pregnant, no alcohol is the safest choice. To learn more about alcohol and pregnancy, click here.

Alcohol can affect a person’s ability to get an erection and affect their sperm. The amount of alcohol that can cause problems can be different for different people. However, the more alcohol you use, the higher your risks.

Alcohol can also have an affect on a parent’s ability to care for an infant and to parent a child.

What are some signs that my drinking might be a problem?

People use alcohol for many different reasons.

Some people may find that their alcohol use is stopping them from enjoying day to day life.

Here are a few signs that alcohol use may be causing problems:

arguments with a spouse or partner when you use alcohol
problems at work including missed shifts or forgotten deadlines
financial problems including missed rent or mortgage payment

If you are concerned about your drinking, or the drinking habits of your partner, call the AHS Addiction Helpline, toll-free, 24/7 at 1-866-332-2322, or for more info and to find services in your area go to AHS Addiction & Mental Health.

I’m concerned about my drinking or my partner’s drinking, but I don’t know where to start. Where can I get help?

It can be hard to ask for help because of the stigma of alcohol use or the worry of being judged by others.

It’s never too late to make healthy changes to your alcohol use. It’s never too soon to ask for help and support if you have concerns about someone’s alcohol use.

There are many resources and services to help you or someone you know with concerns about alcohol use.

Where can I get help?

You can talk to your health care provider about your use of alcohol.

If you’re looking for services or support in your area, go to AHS Addiction & Mental Health.

Download the

Reproductive Life Plan

Alcohol

What effect could alcohol have on my body?

What are some signs that my drinking might be a problem?

I’m concerned about my drinking or my partner’s drinking, but I don’t know where to start. Where can I get help?

Where can I get help?

What is My To-Do List?