Alcohol

An introduction to understanding the impact of alcohol on your health, as well as links to talking to your kids about alcohol and resources to help navigate the complexities of alcohol use.

Canada’s guidance on alcohol and health

Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health recommends people consider reducing their alcohol use.

Drinking less is better for everyone. Any reduction in alcohol use has benefits.

  • Health risks increase with alcohol use. Up to 2 drinks per week carries low risk, but risk of several types of cancer increases at 3–6 drinks a week, and risk of heart disease or stroke rises at 7 or more a week
  • Women experience health risks more steeply when consuming above moderate levels of alcohol
  • Drinking more than two drinks on one occasion can increase the risk of harms to self and others
  • Individuals should not start to use alcohol or increase their alcohol use for health benefits
  • There is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy or when trying to conceive and avoiding alcohol while breastfeeding is safest
  • Young people should delay alcohol use for as long as possible

For more information, please visit Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health.

Tips for safer drinking

If you drink, any reduction in drinking is beneficial to health. Some tips for safer drinking and reducing your alcohol use include:

  • Set limits for yourself and stick to them
  • Drink slowly; have no more than two drinks in three hours
  • Drink lots of water
  • For every alcoholic drink, have a non-alcoholic drink
  • Choose alcohol-free or low-alcohol beverages
  • Eat before and while you are drinking
  • Have alcohol free weeks or do alcohol-free activities 
Parents and caregivers: Talk with your kids about alcohol

There are many reasons why youth may start to use alcohol, including pressure from friends, curiosity, stress and easier access to alcohol. Additionally, youth may see family members drink alcohol and imitate this behaviour. Whether you are a parent, guardian or teacher, starting a discussion with your kids about alcohol use may not be easy but having a conversation early is important so youth can get the real facts.

Possible risks associated with alcohol use
  • Short-term risks: accidental injury, alcohol poisoning, motor vehicle crashes. While intoxicated, they may be more vulnerable to assaults, as well as mental health issues such as depression and self-harm, because alcohol impairs judgment, reasoning and the ability to evaluate risk
  • Long-term risks: substance use disorders, learning and memory issues, problems with school performance, increased risk of school dropout, and increased risk for certain chronic diseases (for example: liver disease, stroke and cancer)

Parents/guardian and/or caregivers play an important role in preventing or delaying alcohol use – start the conversation early and talk often.

There are several things you can do to help have an effective conversation with your child regarding alcohol use, including:

  • Take time to learn the facts about alcohol use. Canada’s new Guidance on Alcohol and Health contains a continuum of health risks that are associated with weekly alcohol use. The revised Drinking Less is Better is designed to help people make more informed choices about alcohol use – have a discussion about these new alcohol risk guidelines
  • Address adult alcohol consumption. If they share their observations of you/other adult family members drinking alcohol, be prepared to respond. This can include explaining that as an adult, you make choices which are not only legal but also informed. Explain your concerns about underage alcohol use
  • Be firm about never driving impaired or being in a car with an impaired driver. Make it known if they ever find themselves uncomfortable about alcohol consumption when they are out with friends and/or about getting home safely, they can call you anytime. Remind them this is particularly important when someone is drinking or using drugs and then offer to pick them up or make a plan together for an alternate ride home. Assure them you will be proud of them for the call, even if it’s in the middle of the night
Other strategies include:
  • Encourage their participation in doing things they love. Support their involvement in supervised educational programs, a sports league, or creative after-school activities
  • Check-in with your kids. Occasionally check-in to see how they are doing, emotionally and mentally. Help them feel safe by actively listening to what they are saying.
  • Get to know their friends and parents. Invite them over for dinner or engage with them at your kids after school and recreational activities
  • Stay in touch with the trusted adults your child knows (camp counsellors, coaches, employers, teachers). This will make it easier to ask and have them share with you if they’ve noticed any changes in your kids’ behaviour
  • Spend time together as a family regularly and be involved in the lives of your children. Create a bond with your child. This builds up connection and trust between you and your child so when you have to set limits or enforce consequences, it’s less stressful

Remind your child you will always support them, no matter what. 

Resources for teachers and community partners

When talking with youth about alcohol, it is important to:

  • Understand alcohol from a youth’s point of view. Youth understand alcohol-use differently based on their developmental stage
  • Role play practice and provide options on how to refuse alcohol products to help youth prepare for situations involving alcohol with their peers
  • Equip youth with the information, skills and motivation they need to make informed and healthy choices

Curriculum, classroom and community resources

For more information and for important elementary and secondary school curriculum supports and resources for the classroom, download:

You can also contact the York Region Public Health Substance Use program at: @email 

Related Resources

External Resources