Drinking Alcohol – Short and Long Term Risks
Even though many people drink alcohol at a lower-risk level – others don’t. Binge drinking (4 or more on one occasion for women and 5 or more for men) is the most harmful to your health. 1 Reduce the amount of alcohol you drink to reduce your risk of alcohol related problems.
Alcohol Warning Signs – Poster (PDF 286KB)
View, download and print the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s Alcohol Warning Signs poster. Know the facts. Reduce your risk.
Short Term Health Risks 1, 2
Alcohol use, especially binge drinking, has immediate effects that increase the risk of harm including:
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Violence
Fights, intimate partner violence, and child abuse. -
Risky sexual behaviors
Unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners, and increased risk of sexual assault. These behaviors can result in unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. -
Alcohol poisoning
A medical emergency that results from high blood alcohol levels that can cause passing out, low blood pressure, low body temperature, coma, problems breathing, or even death. -
Unintentional injuries
Traffic injuries (drinking and driving), falls, drowning, burns, and unintentional firearm injuries.
Long Term Health Risks 1, 2, 3
Over time, alcohol use can lead to the development of many physical, emotional, mental, and social problems including:
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Heart problems
Heart attack, heart disease and high blood pressure. -
Cancer
Cancers of the head & neck, liver, colon, and breast. In general, the risk of cancer rises with increasing intake of alcohol. If you drink & smoke cigarettes, the risk of developing certain cancers is even greater. -
Mental health problems
Alcohol dependence, depression, anxiety, and suicide. -
Social problems
Unemployment, financial crisis, and family/friend problems. -
Stroke
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Liver disease
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Stomach problems
Find out more information on How You Can Reduce Your Alcohol Risks.
Date of creation: January 1, 2013
Last modified on: November 22, 2022
Last modified on: November 22, 2022
Resources
- Alcohol Warning Signs - Poster (PDF 286KB)
References
1Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. (2023). Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health: Final Report. Retrieved from Retrieved from
https://ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2023-01/Canada%27s%20Guidance%20on%20Alcohol%20and%20Health%20Final%20Report_l.pdf
https://ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2023-01/Canada%27s%20Guidance%20on%20Alcohol%20and%20Health%20Final%20Report_l.pdf
2Government of Canada. (2021). Health risks of alcohol. Retrieved from
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/alcohol/health-risks.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/alcohol/health-risks.html
3Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. (n.d.). Alcohol and chronic health problems. Retrieved from
https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/guides-and-publications/alcohol-and-chronic-health-problems
https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/guides-and-publications/alcohol-and-chronic-health-problems