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. For strategies on how to reduce your alcohol use, see Alcohol Problems: How to Stop Drinking and talk with your health care provider.

Question 2

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 during pregnancy. If you’re 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. For strategies to reduce your alcohol use, see Alcohol Problems: How to Stop Drinking. Talking with your health care provider about other supports may also be helpful.

Question 3

What affect can alcohol have on a 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 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. It’s never too late to make changes to your alcohol use. Ask for help and support if you have concerns about 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?

Is it okay to drink at any time during pregnancy?

What affect can alcohol have on a baby?

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?