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Kids' Health - Topics - Alcohol - it can affect your life - for kids

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Describing the effects of smoking in simple terms. A great educational video for children.

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"Quitting Smoking Timeline" emphasizes the positive effects of quitting smoking and how the body restores itself to health.

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Harmful Effects of Tobacco & Smoking - Human Body

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Harmful Effects of Tobacco & Smoking - Human Body

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Harmful Effects Of Tobacco On The Human Body, Educational Video For Children

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Link to Learning - Substance Use and Abuse Gr. 4

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What is alcohol?

Alcohol is a drug that slows down parts of your brain. Drinking alcohol can make you feel more relaxed. It can also make it harder to think clearly, make good decisions and do various tasks.

Alcohol is made by fermenting (and sometimes distilling) fruits, vegetables or grains. Alcohol itself is a clear liquid. The colour in beer, spritzers, wine and other alcoholic drinks comes from other ingredients and from the process of fermentation.

Who uses alcohol?

Most Canadian adults drink alcohol, and do so responsibly. But because alcohol is a drug, there may be risks if you drink any amount of alcohol. In 2005, about two-thirds (62%) of all Ontario students (grade 7-12) reported drinking at least once in the past year. This is about 603,400 students. One in 10 students (10%) drank alcohol once a week.

One in four male students (25%) and one in five females (20%) reported binge drinking (five or more drinks at one time) in the past month.

More than half of the alcohol consumed in Canada is beer, the most popular alcoholic drink. Next are liquor (e.g., rum, vodka) at 26 per cent and wine at 21 per cent.

Canadians spend about $12.4 billion a year on alcohol.

About 10 per cent of Canadians are dependent on alcohol at some time in their lives.

True or false

1. If a female and a male both have an average body type and weigh the same, drinking the same amount of alcohol will have the same effect on each of them.

2. Coolers and regular strength beer contain the same amount of alcohol.

3. Some people can drink a lot without seeming to get drunk.

4. Drinking coffee, working up a sweat, or having a cold shower will sober you up.

Answers

1. False. Males have more water in their bodies than females. This means the alcohol gets more diluted in males, and so a male will notice less effect than a female of the same body weight and body type who drank the same amount of alcohol.

2. False. Most 12 oz/341 mL coolers are 6.9 per cent alcohol, while a regular 12 oz/341 mL bottle of beer is five per cent alcohol. That means there is nearly one-and-a-half times as much alcohol in a cooler as in a regular strength bottle of beer.

3. True. A person who often drinks a lot may not look drunk because his or her body is used to the alcohol. But even if a person doesn't look drunk after drinking, the alcohol still has an effect. The person still has too much alcohol in his or her blood to deal safely with risky situations, such as braking quickly while driving. You should never be a passenger in a car when the driver has been drinking. When possible, you should also try to stop the person from driving or getting into dangerous situations.

4. False. Only time will make you sober. Your liver eliminates alcohol at a certain rate and nothing will change that rate. Your liver needs about 1.5 hours to eliminate one standard drink from your body.

Is alcohol addictive?

Yes, alcohol can be addictive. About one person in 20 who drinks is dependent on alcohol. People with an addiction may have difficulty stopping by themselves, even if they want to, and even if other negative effects (such as financial or other personal problems) begin to outweigh the positive effects. Alcohol dependence can also cause major problems with friends, family, school, work, emotional and mental health, the law and money!

What is a standard drink?

Each of these drinks contains the same amount of alcohol (a "standard drink" or 13.6 grams of alcohol):

A 1.5 oz/43 mL shot of liquor (sometimes known as spirits; e.g., rye, rum, whisky, vodka).

A 3-oz/85 mL glass of fortified wine (e.g., sherry, port, vermouth)

A 12-oz/341 mL can or bottle of regular strength beer

A 5 oz/142 mL glass of table wine

Alcohol is found in different amounts in different kinds of drinks. For example:

regular strength beer contains five per cent alcohol (some beers contain higher or lower percentages)

table wine contains about 12 per cent alcohol

fortified wine contains 16 to 18 per cent alcohol

most liquor contains 40 per cent alcohol.

An average adult can eliminate from the body (mostly through urine) about two-thirds of one standard drink per hour (10 grams of alcohol). If that person has two standard drinks, it will take about three hours for his or her body to be free of alcohol again. If you get drunk, only time can make you sober again.

How does alcohol make you feel?

Alcohol may slow your reflexes, movement and thinking. For a short time, alcohol can make you feel:

more calm and relaxed

more talkative

less shy

warm (skin may be flushed)

less co-ordinated.

Alcohol can make some people aggressive. For others, drinking can depress them or make them more depressed. When people are intoxicated (drunk), they may:

have blackouts (lose their memory)

slur their speech or have trouble walking

feel sleepy or lose consciousness

be more likely to have falls and other accidents

get alcohol poisoning or die

have slower reflexes and thinking

take more risks and make bad decisions.

Did you know?

A shot of whisky has about the same amount of alcohol as a regular bottle of beer.

High-alcohol drinks, such as coolers and strong beers, will get you drunk much quicker than lower-alcohol drinks, because they contain more alcohol than one standard drink.

Can you feel bad when you stop drinking or cut back quickly?

Yes. People who often drink a lot for a period of time, or binge (five or more drinks on one occasion), may feel bad and even experience serious physical effects when they stop drinking or cut down.

They may:

feel nervous and jumpy

have sleep problems

have tremors (the "shakes")

have seizures

have hallucinations (think they hear or see things that aren't really there).

These are called withdrawal symptoms.

How long do the effects last?

It depends. How quickly you get drunk, and how long it will take you to get sober, depend on:

how much you drink

how quickly you drink

your sex

how tired you are

whether or not you have eaten before drinking

what drugs are in your body

your body type.

Remember: It's the amount of alcohol you drink that affects you-not the type of drink. It doesn't matter whether you drink beer, coolers, wine or liquor.

Is alcohol dangerous?

Yes, alcohol can be dangerous in a number of ways. Too much alcohol can cause a hangover (headache, feeling sick, shakiness and vomiting). Too much alcohol can also cause alcohol poisoning and even death.
Pregnancy
For pregnant women, there is no known safe level of drinking. A woman who drinks during pregnancy is more likely to have a miscarriage, to have the baby born too early, to have the baby born dead, or to have other problems.

A baby may be born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). This means the baby may have physical abnormalities, behaviour problems and other difficulties. A woman who is pregnant, or planning to have a baby, should talk to her doctor about alcohol and other drugs.
Breastfeeding
If a woman is breastfeeding, alcohol can be passed to her baby through the milk. This may affect the baby's feeding, its sleep and how it develops. If the mother does drink, she should feed the baby or pump breast milk before she drinks. If you are in this situation, talk to your doctor.

What are the long-term effects of heavy drinking?

People who drink heavily for a long time have more chance of:

brain and nerve damage

high blood pressure and strokes

liver disease

damage to the fetus, for pregnant women

diseases of the stomach, digestive system and pancreas

breast cancer and throat cancer

low sex hormone levels

alcohol dependence

Can alcohol be good for you?

You may have heard that alcohol is good for the heart. What you may not have heard is that the health benefits of alcohol apply mainly to people over the age of 45 years, and that in most cases, a drink every other day is enough. For young people, there are no known health benefits from drinking alcohol.

Did you know?

People who don't drink now shouldn't start drinking to try to get health benefits. They are better off eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and avoiding smoking.

Can mixing alcohol with other drugs be dangerous?

Yes. Alcohol and other drugs don't mix. Mixing alcohol with other drugs can even be fatal! If you mix marijuana or club drugs (e.g., ecstasy, ketamine, GHB) with alcohol, it makes it harder to make smart decisions. This means you are more likely to get into dangerous situations, to be injured or to injure someone else.

If you mix alcohol with some medicines-either those prescribed by your doctor or some over-the-counter medicines (like cough and cold medicines, and aspirin)-your body may react violently. You may have cramps or headaches or may vomit. Some combinations can stop your breathing. It is especially dangerous to mix alcohol and other drugs (such as marijuana) with driving.

If you've been drinking alcohol, stimulant drugs (e.g., caffeine, cocaine, amphetamines) can trick you into thinking you're sober-but you're not. You may feel more awake, but really you're still impaired-and you will be until the alcohol leaves your system.

Is alcohol legal?

Yes, alcohol is a legal drug if you are of legal age. In Ontario you must be at least 19 years old to buy or drink alcohol. The legal drinking age is 19 years throughout Canada, except for Quebec, Manitoba and Alberta. These provinces allow drinking at age 18. In the United States, the drinking age is 21 years.

What is the law about drinking and driving?

In Canada, it is a serious criminal offence to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 per cent or more. It's also illegal to drive while you are impaired, even if your BAC is less than .08 per cent. The same penalties will apply to you if you fail to provide a breath sample when asked by the police. In Ontario, the police will also suspend your driver's licence on the spot for 90 days, separate from any criminal charges you face in court. Ontario has other drinking and driving laws. If you are caught with a BAC between .05 per cent and .08 per cent, the police can take your licence away on the spot for 12 hours. Also, if you are learning to drive and have a Graduated Driver's Licence, you are not allowed to drive after drinking ANY alcohol.

Did you know?

In Ontario, you get a harsher penalty if you are convicted of impaired driving more than once:

First conviction: Licence suspended for one year, plus a $600 fine

Second conviction: Licence suspended for three years, plus 14 days in jail

Third conviction: Licence suspended for 10 years or for life, plus 90 days in jail

Fourth conviction: No possibility of that person ever having an Ontario driver's licence again, plus he or she must spend another 90 days in jail.

Fast facts

About 6,700 Canadians die each year as a result of drinking alcohol-due to car crashes, other accidents, suicides and murders, and health problems related to alcohol use.

Did you know?

Almost one-third (29%) of grade 7-12 students in Ontario reported that, during the past year, they had been a passenger in a car with a driver who had been drinking.

How can I reduce my risks?

Plan ahead and stay safe!

Have a back-up plan for getting home (have money and a phone number for a taxi, or call your parents or a friend whom you trust).

If you drink at all, it is best not to drive at all.

When relying on others for a ride, make sure you know how much the driver has drunk before deciding to get in the car (this includes rides with adults, too).

If you drink, pace your drinks, have some non-alcoholic drinks too, and eat before you drink and while you are drinking.

Plan ahead for overnight stays. Make sure you know how much your friends are drinking and how they are getting home.

Don't mix alcohol with medicines or illegal drugs. Check with your pharmacist to be sure.

How can I get help?

Do you, a family member or a friend have a problem with substance use? If you want help, you may want to talk to someone you trust, such as your doctor, a teacher, a health nurse, or a guidance or addiction counsellor. You might also want to contact an addiction assessment centre or a self-help group such as Alcoholics Anonymous (look in the Yellow Pages of your phone book under Addictions").

Here are some other places to look for help:

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health's Information Centre at 1 800 463-6273

Kids Help Phone at 1 800 668-6868

Ontario Drug and Alcohol Helpline​ (open 24/7 for treatment anywhere in Ontario)

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What is alcohol? Alcohol is a drug that slows down parts of your brain. Drinking alcohol can make you feel more relaxed. It can also make it harder to think clearly, make good decisions and do various tasks. Alcohol is made by fermenting (and sometimes distilling) fruits, vegetables or grains.

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Alcohol is a "depressant" drug. That means it slows down the parts of your brain that affect your thinking and behaviour, as well as your breathing and heart rate. The use of alcohol has been traced as far back as 8000 BC, and is common in many cultures today.

Where does alco​hol come from?

Alcohol is produced by fermenting, and sometimes distilling, various fruits, vegetables or grains. Fermented beverages include beer and wine, which have a maximum alcohol content of about 15 per cent. Distilled beverages, often called "hard liquor" or "spirits," such as rum, whisky and vodka, have a higher alcohol content.

Although alcohol comes in different forms, it has the same effect. In the following table, each "standard" drink contains 13.6 grams of alcohol.

* Note that regular beers have an average alcohol content of five per cent, but some have as much as six or seven per cent, making them stronger than a "standard" drink. "Light" beers have an average alcohol content of four per cent.

** such as sherry, port or vermouth​

Pure (ethyl) alcohol is a clear, colourless liquid. Alcoholic beverages get their distinctive colours from their other ingredients, and from the process of fermentation.

Most Canadians drink at a moderate level. In a 2010 survey, 77 per cent of Canadians aged 15 and older reported drinking alcohol in the past year. Another survey, of adults aged 18 and older, found that alcohol use in Ontario had increased from 78 per cent in 2006 to 82 per cent in 2007. This increase was especially evident among women.

Even though Ontario's laws restrict alcohol use to those 19 years of age and older, many young people drink. A 2011 survey of Ontario students in grades 7 to 12 found that 55 per cent had used alcohol in the past year, and 22 per cent had drunk five or more drinks on one occasion at least once in the past month.

In general, men drink more than women do, and are more likely to have drinking problems.

The way alcohol affects you depends on many factors, including:​

​your age, sex and body weight

how sensitive you are to alcohol

the type and amount of food in your stomach

how much and how often you drink

how long you've been drinking

the environment you're in

how you expect the alcohol to make you feel

whether you've taken any other drugs (illegal, prescription, over-the-counter or herbal).

F or many people, a single drink of alcohol releases tension and reduces inhibition, making them feel more at ease and outgoing. Some people feel happy or excited when they drink, while others become depressed or hostile. Suicide and violent crimes often involve alcohol.

Women are generally more sensitive to the effects of alcohol than men, and all adults become increasingly sensitive to alcohol's effects as they age. When someone is more sensitive, it takes less alcohol to cause intoxication, and more time for the body to eliminate the alcohol consumed.

Early signs of alcohol intoxication include flushed skin, impaired judgment and reduced inhibition. Continued drinking increases these effects, and causes other effects, such as impaired attention, reduced muscle control, slowed reflexes, staggering gait, slurred speech and double or blurred vision. A severely intoxicated person may "black out," and have no memory of what was said or done while drinking. Effects of extreme intoxication include inability to stand, vomiting, stupor, coma and death.

It takes about one hour for the liver of a person weighing 70 kg (154 lbs.) to process and eliminate eight to 10 grams of alcohol, or about two-thirds of the alcohol contained in a standard drink. This rate is constant, no matter how much alcohol has been consumed, or what food or non-alcoholic beverages are taken.

Drinking heavily usually results in a "hangover," beginning eight to 12 hours after the last drink. Symptoms can include headache, nausea, diarrhea, shakiness and vomiting. A hangover is caused in part by acetaldehyde, a toxic chemical that is created as alcohol is processed by your liver. Other causes include dehydration and changes in hormone levels.

Some people think that having a drink before bed helps them to get to sleep. While alcohol does bring on sleep more quickly, it disturbs sleep patterns, and causes wakefulness in the night.
s alcohol dangerou​s?

Yes, alcohol can be dangerous in a number of ways.

The impact of alcohol's effect on judgment, behaviour, attitude and reflexes can range from embarrassment, to unwanted or high-risk sexual contact, to violence, injury or death. Alcohol is involved in more regrettable moments, crimes and traffic fatalities than all other drugs of abuse combined. Young people, who are less familiar with the effects of alcohol, may be especially prone to act in an impulsive or dangerous manner while intoxicated.

Extreme intoxication can kill, often as the result of the person "passing out," vomiting and choking. A person who has been drinking heavily and is unconscious should be laid on his or her side and watched closely. Clammy skin, low body temperature, slow and laboured breathing and incontinence are signs of acute alcohol poisoning, which can be fatal. Seek emergency medical care.

Women who drink during pregnancy risk giving birth to a baby with behaviour problems, growth deficiency, developmental disability, head and facial deformities, joint and limb abnormalities and heart defects. The risk of bearing a child with these birth defects increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. The first trimester may be a time of greatest risk for the fetus, although there is no time during pregnancy when it is known to be safe to drink alcohol.

Mixing alcohol with other drugs can have unpredictable results. Alcohol may either block the absorption of the other drug, making it less effective, or it may increase the effect of the other drug, to the point of danger. The general rule is never to mix alcohol with any other drugs-whether the other drug is a medication or an illegal substance. If you are taking a medication and you want to drink, check first with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is there a safe level of drinkin​g?​

While there is no precise "safe" level of drinking, there are guidelines for adults who wish to lower the risks of drinking. People who are pregnant, who have certain medical conditions, or who will be driving a vehicle or operating machinery, should avoid alcohol.

"Low-risk" drinking guidelines​ for healthy adults suggest that:

women should have no more than 10 drinks per week and not more than two drinks most days

men should have no more than 15 drinks per week and not more than three drinks most days.

Most alcohol-related illnesses, social problems, accidents and deaths are caused by "problem drinking." This term describes alcohol use that causes problems in a person's life, but does not include physical dependence. Problem drinking is four times as common as severe alcohol dependence.

Physical dependence involves tolerance to alcohol's effects, and withdrawal symptoms when drinking is stopped. As people develop tolerance, they need more and more alcohol to produce the desired effect. People who are physically dependent on alcohol can develop withdrawal symptoms, such as sleeplessness, tremors, nausea and seizures, within a few hours after their last drink. These symptoms can last from two to seven days and range from mild to severe, depending of the amount of alcohol consumed and the period of time over which it was used. Some people experience delirium tremens, or "the DTs," five to six days after drinking stops. This dangerous syndrome consists of frightening hallucinations, extreme confusion, fever and racing heart. If left untreated, severe alcohol withdrawal can result in death.

Treatment for alcohol dependence usually begins by treating withdrawal symptoms, but most people will need additional help to stop drinking. Even after long periods of not drinking, a person may continue to crave alcohol, and may begin to drink again. Treatment may take place in a residential or community setting and may include individual or group therapy, self-help or mutual help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, and certain medications, such as naltrexone. Some people respond well to one form of treatment, while others do not. There is no single most effective treatment approach.

What are the long-term effects of drinking alcohol?

How alcohol affects you in the long term depends on how much and how often you drink.

Research studies have shown that:

as little as one drink of alcohol every other day can help protect middle aged and older adults against heart disease

one to two drinks a day can increase your risk of developing certain cancers

​ three or more drinks a day increases your risk of high blood pressure, stroke and heart problems.

Heavy alcohol use can result in trouble getting and keeping an erection for men or menstrual irregularities for women, appetite loss, vitamin deficiencies and infections. Alcohol irritates the lining of the stomach, which can be painful and is potentially fatal. Alcoholic liver disease is a major cause of illness and death in North America. Alcohol also increases the risk of liver, throat, breast and other cancers.

Chronic use of alcohol can damage the brain, which can lead to dementia, difficulties with co-ordination and motor control, and loss of feeling or painful burning in the feet. Alcohol dependence often results in clinical depression, and the rate of suicide among people who are dependent on alcohol is six times that of the general population.

Although women's average lifetime alcohol intake is less than half that of men, women are just as likely as men to develop alcohol-related diseases, and are twice as likely to die from these conditions.

What does the law say about alcohol?​

Provincial and federal laws regulate the manufacture, distribution, importation, advertising, possession and consumption of alcohol.

In Ontario it is illegal for anyone under 19 years of age to possess, consume or purchase alcohol; it is also illegal to sell or supply alcohol to anyone known to be or appearing to be (unless that person has proof otherwise) under the age of 19, or to sell or supply alcohol to anyone who appears to be intoxicated. Anyone who sells or supplies alcohol to others may be held civilly liable if people (including patrons of a tavern or restaurant and guests in a private home) injure themselves or others while intoxicated.

Federal and provincial laws include a range of drinking and driving offences.

Physical dependence involves tolerance to alcohol's effects, and withdrawal symptoms when drinking is stopped. ​Treatment for alcohol dependence usually begins by treating withdrawal symptoms, but most people will need additional treatments to help them stop drinking. Even after long periods of abstinence, a person may continue to crave alcohol, and may begin to drink again. Treatment may include residential or outpatient treatment, individual or group therapy, self-help or mutual help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, and certain medications such as naltrexone. Some people respond well to one form of treatment, while others do not. There is no single most effective treatment approach.

Copyright © 2003, 2012 Centre for Addiction and Mental Health ​​

Treatment and support are available for people living with drug use problems and addictions:
Treatment from CAMH Help for Families
Ontario Drug and Alcohol Helpline ​ (open 24/7 for treatment anywhere in Ontario)

Evaluate your drinking online(Alcohol Help Centre)
Low Risk Drinking Guidelines
About Alcohol (for youth)
Dealing with Drinking - How to quit or cut down When a parent drinks too much alcohol...What kids want to know
Alcohol: A photonovella(PDF)
Do you know...Alcohol, Other Drugs and Driving
Medications for the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence (PDF)

Saying When: How to quit drinking or cut down - Apple iPhone and iPad app​

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Alcohol is a "depressant" drug. That means it slows down the parts of your brain that affect your thinking and behaviour, as well as your breathing and heart rate. The use of alcohol has been traced as far back as 8000 BC, and is common in many cultures today.