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Alcohol

What it is

Alcohol is a psychoactive drug (meaning that it’s mind-altering) that affects the way we think and behave. It’s a depressant, so it also slows down our heart rate, breathing, thoughts and actions. Alcoholic beverages are made from fermented or distilled grains, fruits, or vegetables, and usually contain 5%, 12%, or 40% alcohol.

 

How it’s used

Most Canadians drink alcohol, usually in social situations. As a matter of fact, Canadians consume more than 50% above the world average. Many people who drink moderately say that it enhances the enjoyment of ordinary life. But like other drugs, alcohol can also be harmful.

 

How it affects us

In small amounts, alcohol can make us feel more sociable and talkative. In larger amounts, our inhibitions disappear—so does our balance, vision, coordination and ability to make important decisions.

 

The risks

Even people who normally drink responsibly can drink too much and make poor decisions—like driving while impaired. Over time, drinking large amounts can also cause cirrhosis, where the liver stops functioning properly. Some people can develop alcohol dependence—meaning they need alcohol to cope with daily life. And if we drink too much in a short amount of time, we can develop alcohol poisoning, which affects our breathing, heart rate and gag reflex, and could even lead to coma or death. 

 

Lowering the risk

Don’t drink too much, and be sure to keep track of the number of drinks you’ve had. Drink slowly and alternate between non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. Eat something before you drink. Don’t drink every day, and set limits on how much you’re going to drink each week. Know the strength of the alcohol you are drinking, and drink only in safe places and times (like with trusted friends) to help minimize alcohol-related harm. Remember, women (on average) can’t drink as much alcohol as men due to differences in their bodies.  

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continuum of risk associated with average weekly alcohol consumption

 

When to seek help

Drinking alcohol is a problem when it negatively affects our life or the lives of others.

If your drinking causes significant distress and problems in your daily life, you may have alcohol use disorder. Even a mild disorder can escalate and lead to serious problems, so early treatment is important. If this sounds like you, talk with your doctor. Other ways to get help include talking with a mental health professional or a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

 

If you're concerned about someone else’s drinking, ask a professional experienced in alcohol treatment for advice on how to approach them.

 

If someone you know is showing signs of alcohol poisoning, roll the person on their side and call 911 immediately. 

 

Tools

SMART Recovery - Self-Management And Recovery Training

SMART Recovery - Self-Management And Recovery Training
This tool is not administered by Nova Scotia Health Authority. Tool Information may be incorrect and/or out of date. Confirm details with the tool provider.

Self-Management And Recovery Training (SMART) is a global community of mutual-support groups. At meetings, participants help one another resolve problems with any addiction (to drugs or alcohol or to activities such as gambling or over-eating)...

Visit SMART Recovery - Self-Management And Recovery Training

More Information:

Adults / Seniors

CAPSA - Community Addictions Peer Support Association

CAPSA - Community Addictions Peer Support Association
This tool is not administered by Nova Scotia Health Authority. Tool Information may be incorrect and/or out of date. Confirm details with the tool provider.

CAPSA is a National leader on the topic of stigma, its impacts on individuals who use substances or have a substance use disorder and on identifying and correcting instances of systemic stigma imbedded in organizations. Employing subject matter...

Visit CAPSA - Community Addictions Peer Support Association

More Information:

Adults / Seniors

Wellness Together Canada

Wellness Together Canada
This tool is not administered by Nova Scotia Health Authority. Tool Information may be incorrect and/or out of date. Confirm details with the tool provider.

Wellness Together Canada is a mental health and substance use website to support people across Canada and Canadians living abroad in both official languages. They provide the following resources for you at no cost:

  • Immediate text support
  • Informatio...
Visit Wellness Together Canada

More Information:

Adults / Seniors / Youth

Mental Health 101

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
This tool is not administered by Nova Scotia Health Authority. Tool Information may be incorrect and/or out of date. Confirm details with the tool provider.

Knowledge is power. This series of free online tutorials is a starting point for learning about mental health.​ You can come away with a greater understanding of the mental health concern you are interested in knowing more about. The tutorials can...

Visit Mental Health 101

More Information:

Adults / Seniors / Youth

32 Program(s)

Access Wellness Nova Scotia

This service is not administered by Nova Scotia Health Authority. Service Information may be incorrect and/or out of date. Confirm details with the service provider.

Access Wellness is a free single-session supportive counselling service for individuals, couples or families. 

Sessions can be held over the phone, online with video, or in-person. People can speak with a qualified professional and learn strategies...

Adults / Seniors / Youth

Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselling Association of Nova Scotia (NADACA)

This service is not administered by Nova Scotia Health Authority. Service Information may be incorrect and/or out of date. Confirm details with the service provider.

NADACA programming is designed to deal with all aspects of substance abuse, i.e. alcohol abuse, illicit drug abuse, prescription drug abuse and solvent abuse. Our mandate is to provide accredited certified indigenous addictions prevention, education...

Adults / Seniors
First Nations, Indigenous

IWK Mental Health and Addictions Program

IWK
This service is not administered by Nova Scotia Health Authority. Service Information may be incorrect and/or out of date. Confirm details with the service provider.

The IWK Mental Health and  Addictions Program provides specialized care throughout the province for children and youth up until their 19th birthday within a patient and family...

Children / Youth

The Marguerite Centre

This service is not administered by Nova Scotia Health Authority. Service Information may be incorrect and/or out of date. Confirm details with the service provider.

The Marguerite Centre provides a holistic, women-centred approach to recovery from substance misuse and gambling addiction. We are an inclusive, safe, non-judgmental environment...

Adults

Eskasoni Mental Health

This service is not administered by Nova Scotia Health Authority. Service Information may be incorrect and/or out of date. Confirm details with the service provider.

Eskasoni Mental Health Services (EMHS) provides a wide range of services to the Mi’kmaq people of Eskasoni, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The Tui'kn Residential School Survivor Team...

Adults / Seniors / Youth
First Nations, Indigenous

Caregivers Nova Scotia

This service is not administered by Nova Scotia Health Authority. Service Information may be incorrect and/or out of date. Confirm details with the service provider.

Caregivers Nova Scotia provides free programs, services, information, and advocacy for family and friend caregivers. We are dedicated to providing recognition and practical assistance to friends and family giving care.

Adults / Seniors
Caregiver, Family

Kids Help Phone

This service is not administered by Nova Scotia Health Authority. Service Information may be incorrect and/or out of date. Confirm details with the service provider.

Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7, national support service. We offer professional counselling, information and referrals and volunteer-led, text-based support to young...

Children / Youth

Alcoholics Anonymous

This service is not administered by Nova Scotia Health Authority. Service Information may be incorrect and/or out of date. Confirm details with the service provider.

Alcoholics Anonymous is an international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who...

Adults / Seniors / Youth

Alateen

This service is not administered by Nova Scotia Health Authority. Service Information may be incorrect and/or out of date. Confirm details with the service provider.

Alateen a part of the Al-Anon Family Groups, is a fellowship of young people (mostly teenagers) whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking whether they are in your...

Youth
Caregiver, Family

Al-Anon

This service is not administered by Nova Scotia Health Authority. Service Information may be incorrect and/or out of date. Confirm details with the service provider.

Al‑Anon is a mutual support program for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. By sharing common experiences and applying the Al-Anon principles...

Adults / Seniors
Caregiver, Family

211

211
This service is not administered by Nova Scotia Health Authority. Service Information may be incorrect and/or out of date. Confirm details with the service provider.

211 is a free, confidential information and referral service that can connect you to thousands of programs and services offered by local community groups, nonprofits and government departments across Nova Scotia, 24/7.

Adults / Children / Seniors / Youth

Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services - Mental Health Programs and Services

This service is not administered by Nova Scotia Health Authority. Service Information may be incorrect and/or out of date. Confirm details with the service provider.

Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) is responsible for administering Non-Public Property (NPP) on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Staff and for delivering...

Adults / Seniors
Canadian Forces, RCMP

Veterans Affairs Canada Assistance Service

This service is not administered by Nova Scotia Health Authority. Service Information may be incorrect and/or out of date. Confirm details with the service provider.

Veterans Affairs provide targeted services and benefits to improve well-being including support and services related to your physical and mental health and wellness.The VAC...

Adults / Seniors
Canadian Forces, RCMP

Health Psychology

Health Psychology offers psychological interventions for those with chronic and acute health conditions. The main focus is on the patient's mental and emotional reaction to an illness or their recovery from an illness.

Adults

Geriatric Psychiatry Acute Inpatient Unit

The Geriatric Psychiatry Acute Inpatient Unit is for individuals over the age of 65 with a new onset of mental illness or for individuals of any age with dementia and complicated medical and/or psychological symptoms.

Seniors

Geriatric Psychiatry Outpatient Program

Seniors mental health services provide assessment, consultation and treatments to:

  • seniors aged 65 and older for a new onset of mental health challenges
  • individuals of any age...
Seniors

Mood Disorders Clinic

The mood disorders clinic provides consultations for individuals with severe mood disorders such as possible bipolar disorder. This is a specialized service that provides diagnosis and treatment of severe mood disorders.

Adults

Driving While Impaired (DWI) Program/Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program (AIIP)

If your driver’s license has been suspended or revoked for an alcohol related offence, you are required by the Registry of Motor Vehicles to attend the DWI Program in order to...

Adults / Seniors

Nova Scotia Operational Stress Injury (OSI) Clinic

The Nova Scotia Operational Stress Injury Clinic (NSOSIC) belongs to a national network of OSI Clinics funded by Veterans Affairs Canada. The clinic provides mental health...

Adults / Seniors
Canadian Forces, RCMP

Inpatient Mental Health Services

Inpatient mental health services are available for those who cannot be safely assessed, diagnosed and stabilized in the community. 

Adults / Seniors

Crossroads Clubhouse

Crossroads Cape Breton is community organized to support people living with mental illness in reclaiming and enhancing their lives. People are referred to as “members” because...

Adults / Seniors

Community Support Service (Adults)

The Community Support Teams for Adults/Community Supports for Adults supports individuals living with persistent mental illness to develop and maintain a safe, satisfying quality...

Adults / Seniors

Adolescent Outreach Services

Adolescent Outreach Services (AOS) is an expansion of the CaperBase model, which originated in Cape Breton. AOS focuses on providing:

  • Brief and Early Intervention
  • Screening
  • Outreach
  • Community Partnerships

The AOS model is set up for youth aged 12...

Children / Youth

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