Just the Facts
How alcohol affects the body
Since the brain is still developing until 25, teenage drinking can have irreversible impacts on brain health including effects on memory, learning and personality. As well, the area of the brain responsible for impulse control is still developing. This is why so many teens are inclined to try alcohol or thrill-seek.
Memory loss after a night out drinking too much is more common than you’d expect. Many refer to this as blacking out, and studies have shown that females are at a greater risk for black outs than males, even if they consume comparable amounts of alcohol. This is likely due to the differences in the way women metabolize alcohol.
Underage drinkers are more likely to consume more alcohol on a single occasion and drink less frequently. This increases the likelihood that they will black out when drinking.
Gender changes the way alcohol interacts with the body. Women feel the effects of alcohol sooner because their bodies contain less water which causes their blood alcohol concentration to increase more rapidly. Weight also influences how alcohol is going to impact the body because blood alcohol levels increase more rapidly the less you weigh.
According to Alberta Health Services:
- Youth who drink to excess are more likely to develop a substance use disorder later in life
- Alcohol messes with hormonal balance which could impact organ, muscle, bone and reproductive system development
- Alcohol poisoning and vomiting
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Stroke
- Slower breathing that can lead to coma and death
- Changes in appetite and weight loss
- Eczema
- Headaches
- Sleep Disturbances
- Excessive consumption kills brain cells over time; the adolescent brain is constantly changing and adapting. This means there is more of a risk for brain damage in adolescence than for adults who drink the same amount
Canada’s Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines
Canada’s Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines (LRDG) promote a culture of moderation and responsible drinking.
Nearly 4 in 10 parents of teens drink at least weekly while just over 6 in 10 drink at least monthly. Of these parents, only a quarter are aware of Canada’s LRDG.
Subhead: Knowing the limits
- Maximum of 10 drinks a week/2 drinks a day for women. 4 drinks or more in one occasion is considered binge drinking.
- Maximum of 15 drinks a week/3 drinks a day for men. 5 drinks or more in one occasion is considered binge drinking.
- Plan for at least one alcohol-free day every week
Subhead: Allowing your kid to drink at home
- Ensure it’s always around parents
- Never more than 1-2 drinks at a time
- Never more than 1-2 times a week
A standard serving
One standard serving of alcohol is 13.5 grams and will look different depending on the beverage.
341mL/12 oz. of 5% alcohol in a beer glass.
142mL/5 oz. of 12% alcohol in a wine glass
43mL/1.5 oz. of 40% alcohol in a whiskey/spirits glass
341 mL/12 oz. of 5% alcohol in a cider/cooler bottle
Size matters!
Are all beers created equal?
