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 Alcohol Topics
Facts and Figures
79.3% of Canadians aged 15 and over report drinking alcohol. The Region of Waterloo reports significantly higher alcohol use than the province.
- The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Monitor survey in 2007 reported that 27% of Waterloo Region respondents have alcohol problems (19% in the province)
- 35% of Waterloo Region residents exceed the low-risk drinking guidelines (23% in the province)
- The Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey from CAMH 2007 found students from Grades 9-12 were higher than the provincial average in alcohol consumption 75.7 % (73% in the province), binge drinking 37% (35% in the province) and hazardous drinking 32% (25.5% in the province)
- For more information check out the Alcohol factsheet
PROFILE of people who drink alcohol and use drugs
Click here to access the PROFILE page.
Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines
Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines are designed so that you can enjoy alcohol, but avoid the health, financial, social, and family problems that excessive use of alcohol can lead to.
The first thing to consider is that if you don’t already drink, you should not start. In particular, you shouldn’t drink alcohol if you have a history of diseases including high blood pressure, liver disease, diabetes, pancreatitis, peptic ulcers, gastrointestinal disease, a family history of alcoholism, mood, anxiety or sleep problems, taking medication, or if you engage in activities that require skill or care. As well, if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant the safest choice for you and your baby is to not drink any alcohol.
If you already drink and don’t have the concerns discussed above, there are the low-risk drinking guidelines that can help you to keep alcohol use at a safe level.
The guideline for safe alcohol use is:
It is important to remember that these guidelines are not for everyone. For some people (those who have a low body weight or older adults), two drinks might be too much.
For more information on Low-risk Drinking Guidelines see:
Are you at risk for an Alcohol Problem?
| Consider these Questions |  |
- Have you ever felt that you should cut down on your drinking?
- Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
- Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
- Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, you may want to consider seeking treatment. |   |
Alcohol Poisoning and Binge Drinking
Drinking too much too fast can kill you. Avoid chugging, funneling and alcohol games.
When you drink a lot really fast your blood alcohol concentration rises to the point of depressing the areas in your brain that control breathing, heart rate, and level of consciousness. The result is coma that can progress to death. Death can also occur by asphyxiation caused by a person choking on his/her own vomit while passed out or “sleeping”.
Partying and Getting Drunk Pamphlet
Alcohol Poisoning Fact Sheet
Symptoms of alcohol poisoning (Not ALL symptoms need to be present)
- Unconsciousness or semiconsciousness, “sleeping”, the person cannot be awakened
- Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin
- Slow breathing less than eight breaths per minute, or irregular breathing, with ten seconds or more between breaths
- Vomiting when “sleeping” or unconscious and not waking up after vomiting
What to do if someone has alcohol poisoning
- Call 911 or get medical help IMMEDIATELY
- Use the Bacchus Manoeuvre to roll them on their side — NEVER leave the person on their back because they can choke on their vomit and die!
- Stay with them until help arrives and monitor breathing — DO NOT leave them alone!
The Bacchus Manoeuvre
1. Raise the person's closest arm above his/her head. Prepare to roll them towards you.2. Gently roll the person as a unit. Guard their head as you roll them.3. Tilt head to maintain airway. Tuck nearest hand under cheek to help maintain head tilt.4. Check them often.
Reducing the risk of alcohol poisoning
Click here for tips on safe party planning.
For more information on alcohol poisoning check "For the Record Kit" available through the
Resource Centre. | |
Women and alcohol - gender plays a role
The same amount of alcohol affects a woman more than a man because of:
- Percentage of body fat to body water. Women generally have more fat and less water. Alcohol is water soluble, so less water in the blood means a higher blood concentration.
- Less active alcohol dehydrogenase which begins to break down alcohol in the stomach lining. Fewer enzymes means more alcohol in the system.
- Alcohol does more physical damage to women more quickly than it does to men causing serious health problems over time.
For information on alcohol and pregnancy click here or visit www.motherisk.org
Mixing alcohol and pot
- When a person has consumed enough alcohol that alcohol poisoning is a concern, their body needs to vomit. Pot suppresses the gag reflex therefore, the body cannot get rid of the excess alcohol, making overdose more likely.
- Mixing alcohol and marijuana can lead to risky behaviour and can result in injuries, fights, car crashes, unwanted sex, regrets, and pain to family members and friends.
Effects of Alcohol
Alcohol is a greater risk factor for disease and disability than those posed by cholesterol, body mass index, low fruit and vegetable intake, physical inactivity, and illicit drug use.
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