​​​​​​​​​​​​What does alcohol do to my body?

Alcohol is a drug you drink. It enters your bloodstream through your stomach and intestine. Once in your bloodstream, it is carried to other parts of your body quite quickly. Alcohol reaches the brain almost immediately. 

The brain is your body's control centre, so drinking alcohol has a big impact on the way you behave. The more alcohol in your blood, the greater the impact. 

Alcohol affects your judgment, self-control, reaction time, co-ordination, vision, speech, balance, walking, and standing. It puts you and others at higher risk of harm from injuries or violence.

Alcohol can also put you at higher risk for many serious health problems, like heart disease, stroke, and cancers including cancers of the mouth and throat, breast, colon, and liver.

Alcohol stays in your ​body until it is broken down by your liver. It eventually leaves your body through breath, sweat, and urine. 

What does alcohol do to my mood?

Alcohol is a depressant drug. It slows down communication within the brain and from the brain to other parts of the body. 

It’s hard to know how people will feel or behave after drinking alcohol. A lot depends on the person’s mood and where they are drinking. 

After a couple of drinks, one person might be more relaxed, another might be depressed,​ and another might be angry. If you are depressed, you might feel even worse after drinking alcohol.

What is the fastest way to sober up?

There is no quick way to sober up (get rid of the effects of alcohol) after drinking alcohol. Cold showers, black coffee, and other things people might try do not work. 

The only thing that helps you sober up is time, because your body needs time to break down and get rid of the alcohol.

How long does it take to get rid of the effects of alcohol?

It takes about 1.5 hours for your body to break down 1 standard drink. If you drink faster than your body can get rid of the alcohol, it builds up in your blood, which causes you to become intoxicated. 

Drinking too much alcohol in a short time is very dangerous because your body cannot get rid of it fast enough. This can lead to alcohol poisoning (overdose)​.

Is it dangerous to take other drugs with alcohol?

Yes. It is important to be very careful about mixing 2 kinds of drugs. Alcohol is a drug, and some other drugs cause serious problems when used with alcohol.

One of the greatest dangers of mixing alcohol with other drugs is that you can't always predict the effects.

If you are taking medicines, talk to your healthcare provider before drinking alcohol.​

How can I be safer if I am planning to drink alcohol​?

• Eat before and while you are drinking.
  
• Drink plenty of water before, during, and after you drink alcohol.
  
• Drink slowly. For every drink of alcohol, drink 1 non-alcoholic  drink.
  
• ​Make a plan before you drink to count your drinks and set a limit.
  
• Never leave your drink unattended.
  
• Stay with friends and look out for each other.
• Do not drink alone.
• If someone passes out, do not leave them alone. Understand what alcohol poisoning (overdose) looks like, and if you see signs, call 911.
  
• Do not drink and drive or be in a vehicle with a driver who has been drinking.
  
• Plan ahead to make sure you have a safe ride home.