The Risks of Drinking Alcohol

·        Alcohol slows down your brain’s ability to think clearly and impairs decision-making, coordination and reaction time which can be unsafe to yourself and others

·        Excessive intake of alcohol can lead to Alcohol Poisoning

·        Alcohol can lead to hypothermia

·        Alcohol can lower your inhibitions leading to fights, unplanned and unprotected sex, and impaired driving

·        Long term problem drinking can lead to brain damage, ulcers, liver disease, malnutrition, heart disease, various cancers and social problems

ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY!!!

Remember these Low Risk Drinking Guidelines:

·        Zero drinks give the lowest risk of an alcohol-related problem

·        Have no more than 2 standard drinks in one day

·        Women can have up to 9 standard drinks in a week

·        Men can have up to 14 standard drinks in a week

One Standard Drink contains 13.6 grams of alcohol. This means that a 5oz glass of wine, 1.5 oz of spirits and a 12 oz beer all contain the same amount of alcohol.

·        If you drink, avoid getting drunk

·        Wait at least one hour between drinks

·        Never drink on an empty stomach. Eat unsalted foods when you are drinking and alternate between non-alcoholic drinks

·        Never drink and drive

·        Be a Responsible Host. Encourage your guests to follow these guidelines

·         Never mix alcohol with other drugs. This can be very dangerous and possibly lead to death.

Some People Should Avoid Alcohol

For the protection of the health and safety of themselves and others around them some people should avoid alcohol. This includes:

·        People with health problems such as liver disease or mental illness

·        People taking medications such as sedatives, painkillers or sleeping pills

·        People with a personal or family history of drinking problems

·        Women trying to get pregnant, who are pregnant, or who are breastfeeding. If a woman drinks when she is pregnant, the baby is at risk for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Fetal Alcohol Effect.

·        People operating vehicles such as automobiles, motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles, ATV’s and bicycles

·        People who need to be alert to operate machinery or dangerous equipment

·        People playing sports or other activities where you need to be in control

·        People who are responsible for the safety of others at work or home

·        People advised not to drink for legal, medical or other reasons

 [Information adapted from Centre for Addiction and Mental Health]