Question 1

What effect could alcohol have on my body?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol affects many organs in the body. Even a small amount of alcohol can be harmful to health. For that reason, the more you can reduce how much alcohol you consume, the fewer health risks related to alcohol you’ll experience. If you’re thinking about getting pregnant, it’s best if you can reduce your use of alcohol to none. 
Following Canada's Guidance on Alcohol and Health can reduce the risk of developing long-term health problems, including:

 	at least seven types of cancers, including breast cancer, colon cancer, cancers of the rectum, mouth and throat, liver, esophagus and larynx.  
 	heart disease and stroke
 	liver disease

Drinking less can also decrease your risk of injury and violence.

Alcohol can also affect a person’s menstrual cycle. This can include irregular periods and changes when menopause starts (ending of the menstrual cycle). The amount of alcohol that can cause problems can be different for different people. The more alcohol that you use and the more often you drink, the higher your risk. 

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. 

Drinking less is better for your health. Reducing how much you drink helps to improve your health.

If you’re planning a pregnancy, stopping alcohol use will improve the baby’s health and well-being. If you are finding it difficult to stop drinking, any reduction in how much alcohol you have will benefit the pregnancy. 

Strategies and suggestions for support are provided in the questions in this section. You can also talk with your health care provider for more information.

Question 2

What effect can alcohol have on a developing baby?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol passes through the placenta to the fetus. This can lead to the fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). When developing organs are exposed to alcohol, this can damage the brain and other organs. This damage can’t be fixed or treated.

The damage can cause physical, emotional and mental disabilities.

1 in 100 babies born in Canada is affected by FASD.

Alcohol use during pregnancy may also lead to:

 	low birth weight
 	preterm birth
 	miscarriage
 	stillbirth

Question 3

Is it okay to drink at any time during pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol use can affect a developing baby at any stage during pregnancy.
No known amount or type of alcohol is safe at any time during pregnancy. Because alcohol can affect the earliest stages of fetal development – before a person may even know they’re pregnant - if you are pregnant, might be pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant, no alcohol use is safest.

Alcohol can affect the earliest stages of a fetal development—before a person may even know they're pregnant. This can affect the baby for the rest of their life.

Alcohol use at any time during pregnancy can lead to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). FASD has lifelong effects including physical, emotional and mental disabilities. There’s no cure for FASD.

Read more on FASD and a healthy pregnancy.

It is never too late to stop alcohol use during pregnancy. Stopping alcohol use will improve the baby’s health and well-being. If you are finding it difficult to stop drinking, any reduction in how much alcohol you have will benefit the pregnancy. Talking with your health care provider about other supports may also be helpful. 

Alcohol may be providing a benefit to you in some way. If you want to cut down, it will be helpful to think about other things you can do that will provide that same benefit to you. For example, if you use alcohol to reduce anxiety in social situations, you could try preparing some conversation starters you can use to ease into small talk.

If you are currently using alcohol, there are tips for reducing your alcohol use. You may want to think about the following:

 	Often there are patterns that develop and changing some part of then will help. For example, if you often go out for drinks with colleagues after work, try doing something else fun together after work, or go out for lunch to catch up instead.
 	Make a plan. Decide ahead of time about how much you’re going to drink and what you’re going to drink. Tell some of your friends and family about your plan so they can help you stick to it. Put reminders about the plan and motivational messages in key places like your door and your phone.
 	If you do go out for drinks, start with a glass of water so you’re not drinking too much because you’re thirsty, and then alternate water with alcohol. When you’ve reached your limit, continue with just the water.
 	Choose smaller drinks or drinks with lower alcohol content (i.e., beer, coolers vs spirits). Learn more about standard drink sizes.
 	Don’t keep alcohol in your home. Remove the temptation.
 	Alcoholic drinks can be expensive. Try making a plan about how you will use the money you save from cutting back. Use the plan to help motivate you.
 	If you’re drinking to cope with a stressor, try another way to coping. Physical activity is a great way to cope with stress, so maybe go for a walk when you feel like you want a drink.

If you have concerns about your drinking, talk with your health care provider. You can call the Addictions and Mental Health Helpline or go to AHS Addictions and Mental health for information about support in your area.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Some people may find that their alcohol use stops them from enjoying daily life.
Here are a few signs that alcohol use may be causing problems:

 	you drink more, or for longer than you intended
 	you are unable to complete what is needed at work, school or home due to repeated alcohol use
 	you keep drinking alcohol even though you know it’s causing physical or social problems, problems with work and/or with your relationships 
 	you give up or decrease activities at work or other hobbies to use alcohol 
 	you use alcohol in unsafe situations, such as when you are driving  
 	you want to stop or cut down drinking more than once, but are not able to

For more info and to find services in your area go to AHS Addiction & Mental Health.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

It can be hard to ask for help because of the worry of being judged by others. Even if you have delayed asking for help, it’s never too late to make changes to your alcohol use. Ask for help and support if you have concerns about your own alcohol use or someone else’s alcohol use.
There are many resources and services to help you or someone you know with concerns about alcohol use.

If you are concerned about your drinking or your partner's drinking, call the AHS Addiction Helpline, toll-free, 24/7 at 1-866-332-2322, or for more information and to find services in your area go to AHS Addiction & Mental Health.

If stopping the use of alcohol during your pregnancy is not an option for you, it is important to speak with your health care provider. Suddenly stopping alcohol if you have used it regularly can also be dangerous for you and your pregnancy, so you may want to contact your health care provider for help. Call the AHS Addiction Helpline for assistance if you don't have a health care provider.

Alcohol

What effect could alcohol have on my body?

What effect can alcohol have on a developing baby?

Is it okay to drink at any time during pregnancy?

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?

What is My To-Do List?