Alcohol, Drugs & Gambling
Alcohol & Drugs
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Alcohol and other drugs can become a problem when using them gets in the way of:
- How you are feeling – mental or physical health
- Money
- Your family and loved ones
- Work, school, and other activities
- Coping
Alcohol is the most commonly used substance in Hamilton. Many Hamiltonians who drink alcohol do so within moderation, unfortunately many others drink alcohol at excessive levels. Alcohol use is linked to over 200 types of diseases and injures including long terms harms such as cancer, liver disease, and cardiovascular disease and short term harms such as motor vehicle accidents and violence. Your risk is affected by:
- How much you drink
- How often you drink
- The way you drink (i.e. binge drinking)
- Other things you do, like smoking
Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health (CGAH) provides people who choose to drink with the information they need to make well-informed choices about their alcohol use. This guidance is based on the latest evidence on alcohol-related risks and harms.
The Continuum of Risk
The more alcohol you drink each week, the greater the potential for alcohol related risks or harms. The CGAH includes a continuum of risk associated with weekly alcohol use:
- 0 drinks per week: has benefits, such as better health, and better sleep.
- 2 standard drinks or less per week: you’re likely to avoid alcohol-related consequences for yourself or others.
- 3–6 standard drinks per week: your risk of developing several types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer, increases.
- 7 standard drinks or more per week: your risk of heart disease or stroke increases significantly.
- When breastfeeding, pregnant or trying to get pregnant, there is no known safe amount of alcohol use.
Any reduction in alcohol use has benefits, learn more at Canada’s Centre on Substance Use and Addiction.
What is a Standard Drink?
- Beer: 341 ml (12 oz) 5% alcohol
- Cooler, cider, ready to drink: 341ml (12 oz) 5% alcohol
- Wine: 142 ml (5 oz) 12% alcohol
- Spirits: 43 ml (1.5 oz) 40% alcohol
If you choose to drink, there are several ways to reduce alcohol-related harms:
- Set a weekly drinking target. If you’re going to drink, try not to exceed 2 drinks on any day.
- For every drink of alcohol, have one non-alcoholic drink or water.
- Choose alcohol-free or low-alcohol beverages.
- Eat before and while you’re drinking.
- Have alcohol-free weeks or do alcohol-free activities.
Avoid mixing alcohol with other drugs.
Alcohol & Youth
Did you know?
- The brain continues to develop into the mid 20’s. Delay alcohol use as long as possible as it can harm brain development.
- Alcohol is the number one drug used by Ontario students, in grades 7 to 12.
- On average, students report having their first drink at the age of 14.
Parents play a key role in influencing your child's decisions, attitudes and knowledge about alcohol and other drug use.
Children and youth are more likely to be harmed by drinking alcohol. The earlier youth initiate alcohol use, the more likely they are to drink excessively, drink regularly, and experience alcohol related harm.
Some of the effects alcohol has on youth include:
- Dependency on alcohol later in life. Children and youth who drink alcohol at an early age are more likely to have trouble with alcohol later on.
- Harm to normal brain development, memory loss or cognitive thinking or understanding. Alcohol is linked to depression, anxiety and mood disorders.
- Poor decisions and risky behaviours such as binge drinking or drinking and driving.
- Violent and aggressive behaviour, which leads to social problems and/or sexual or physical violence.
Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health recommends that youth delay alcohol use for as long as possible.
1. Know what’s going on in your child’s life (Parental monitoring)
Know who your child is with, what they are doing, and where they are. If children and youth are going to use alcohol, they tend to do it when adults are not around.
2. Develop open and regular communication (General Communication)
Ongoing communication allows children and youth to talk with their parents about areas of interest or worries. Regular communication with your child helps delay alcohol and other drug use.
3. Set expectations and consequences together (General Discipline)
Setting clear expectations helps create an environment where rules are respected
For more information on specific tips and strategies see Rethink Your Drinking: Parents Matter Book
4. Be a positive role model (Parental Modelling)
Children are watching what you do as a parent and are influenced by what you say and do. Think about what message you are sending.
Modeling responsible drinking to children includes limiting your use of alcohol to Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines
5. Build a close and caring relationship (Parent child relationship quality)
A close, caring and supportive relationship can help delay when youth first try alcohol or other drugs.
6. Don’t provide alcohol or other drugs (Provision of alcohol)
When parents make alcohol or other drugs available to teens they put them at risk for alcohol and other drug-related harms.
Parents who give alcohol to underage children and youth may be held criminally and civilly responsible. This is what the law says:
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Selling or giving alcohol to children and youth under 19 years of age will result in a fine and an appearance in court.
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Children and youth under 19 years of age who have alcohol in their possession, drink alcohol, purchase or try to purchase alcohol are breaking the law under the Liquor License Act. This can result in a fine.
As a parent, you are legally responsible for what goes on in your house. This applies even if you are not present, you do not know your guests are drinking or your guests bring their own alcohol.
How to host a party in your home with youth
- Make sure that party information is not posted on Facebook, Twitter or other social media sites.
- Set a guest list with your child.
- Have a start and end time for the party.
- Tell everyone who is invited and/or attends the party that no alcohol is allowed.
- You should stay at the house during the party.
- Tell people when they arrive which parts of the house are off limits.
- Do not allow children and youth to come and go from the party.
- Make sure that alcohol or medication in your home is not accessible to guests.
- Have other activities like videos, games or karaoke at the party.
When your child attends a party at someone else's home
- Know where your child is going; get the name, address and phone number of the party location or host.
- Talk to your child about what to do if alcohol is available.
- Ask your child to be part of a buddy system with a friend.
- Make sure your child knows to call home for a ride under any circumstance, even if he or she drinks alcohol.
- Set a time your child needs to come home.
- Stay awake until your child gets home.
- Talk about the rules if your child plans to sleep away from home.
Cannabis (also known as marijuana, pot, weed, grass, ganga etc.), is a substance derived from the hemp plant. It comes in the form of dried plant leaves, hashish (dried resin from plant leaves) or oil (boiled resin). Cannabis can be smoked, vaped, or ingested in the form of food or drink. There are more than 400 chemicals in cannabis. THC is the chemical in cannabis known to be psychoactive. The THC content in Cannabis is far more potent than it was in the past. Higher potency can result in more harmful effects for those who use it. (Source: PROPEL)
Cannabis for medical purposes
If you think you need cannabis for medical purposes, please see your health care provider. Cannabis grown for medical purposes can be quite different from recreational cannabis. Medical cannabis also has different rules than recreational cannabis.
The effects of cannabis depend on a number of factors such as: how much was used, cannabis potency, how often use occurs, how it was consumed, age, mood and environment, physical and mental health, and use of other substances at the same time (e.g. alcohol). (Source: CAMH)
Side effects of cannabis may include:
- Feeling relaxed and happy
- Increased anxiety or paranoia
- Increased drowsiness or restlessness
- Decreased ability to think and make decisions
- Decreased ability to concentrate and remember
- Slower reaction time
- Poor driving performance
- Increased appetite
- (Source: Health Canada and CAMH)
Long-term effects may include:
- Impaired attention and memory
- Impaired ability to think and make decisions
- Breathing problems such as bronchitis (if cannabis is smoked)
- Earlier onset of schizophrenia for people at high risk of developing schizophrenia
- Physical dependence or addiction
- (Source: CAMH)
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has developed recommendations to reduce potential negative health effects including not using cannabis.
But, if you choose to use cannabis:
- Delay cannabis use
- Know what you’re using and choose lower-risk, less potent (lower THC), cannabis products
- Don’t use synthetic , or man-made, versions of cannabis (e.g. K2 or Spice)
- Avoid smoking cannabis – choose something safer like vaporizers or edibles
- Avoid ‘deep inhalation’ or ‘breath-holding’
- Limit and reduce how often you use cannabis
- Don’t use cannabis and drive, or operate other machinery (wait at least 6 hours after using cannabis to drive)
- Avoid combining risks listed above
- Don’t use cannabis if you are at risk for mental health problems or are pregnant
Is cannabis addictive?
Yes, cannabis can be addictive. Youth who use cannabis heavily (daily or nearly daily) are at increased risk of dependence; dependence is characterized by psychological and physical symptoms of withdrawal (agitation, irritability, difficulty sleeping, lack of appetite, anxiety, headache, etc.)
What are the health effects of cannabis smoke?
There is no safe way to inhale cannabis. Smoke is smoke and it is dangerous to lung health. Cannabis smoke has thousands of chemicals in it and studies have shown that this smoke is similar to tobacco smoke, containing many of the same cancer causing substance and toxic chemicals. Find out more about the effects of second hand cannabis smoke.
What are the effects of cannabis on pregnancy and breastfeeding?
There is no known safe amount of cannabis use in pregnancy and when breastfeeding (source: Best Start). Find out more about cannabis and other drugs during pregnancy.
Can I drive after using cannabis?
Cannabis use can result in impaired driving.
Is cannabis legal?
Yes. Non-medical cannabis became legal in Canada on October 17 2018, for adults age 19 and over.
If cannabis is legal does this mean it is safe?
No, just because something is legal, does not mean it is safe. Cigarettes are an example of a legal substance that is harmful to your health.
How much cannabis is legally allowed in public?
Individuals in Ontario who are 19 years and older are allowed to:
- Possess up to 30 grams of legal dried cannabis or equivalent in non-dried form
- Share up to 30 grams of legal cannabis with other adults (19 years and older)
- Buy dried or fresh cannabis and cannabis oil from a provincially licensed retailer
Learn more about cannabis in Ontario and legalization
What are the risks of using cannabis with tobacco or alcohol?
Using cannabis with tobacco increases health harms. Smoke from cannabis has been shown to have many of the same toxic chemicals as tobacco such as fine particles, heavy metals and carbon monoxide. Using cannabis with alcohol also increases health harms and can result in extreme anxiety, nausea, vomiting and fainting.
How much cannabis can be grown at home?
People who are 19 years and older may grow up to 4 cannabis plants per household (not per person)
What are edibles?
Cannabis edibles are food or drink items made with cannabis or cannabis oils. People who are 19 years and older may use cannabis edibles as an alternative to smoking or vaping cannabis.
Are edibles legal?
The federal government amended the Cannabis Act on October 17, 2019 to allow the legal sale of cannabis edibles.
Where can I legally buy cannabis?
The only place to legally buy cannabis in Ontario until retail stores are established is online from the Ontario Cannabis Store
Learn more about cannabis in Ontario and legalization
Where can I smoke or vape cannabis?
The rules for where you can and cannot smoke cannabis are the same as the rules that apply to tobacco. More information about where you can and cannot smoke or vape can be found on the City of Hamilton’s webpage for Tobacco and E-cigarettes.
Where can I report smoking and vaping in public places or workplaces?
If you have questions about the law or you want to report smoking or vaping in a public place or workplace:
- Call the Tobacco Hotline at 905-540-5566
- Email: [email protected]
More information about the Smoke-Free Ontario Act can be found on our City’s website.
What can I do about smoke in my home?
View more information about smoke in your home.
Cannabis & Youth
Did you know?
Some Youth may think cannabis is harmless, but the opposite is true. The brain continues to develop until the age of 25. Because of this, people who use cannabis at a young age are at a higher risk for more long-term effects.
It’s hard to predict how cannabis will make you feel. Everyone reacts to it differently. Even if cannabis makes you feel happy, relaxed, or less nervous in the short-term, the long-term effects may be different. Regular and heavy cannabis use before age 25, when the brain is fully developed can result it:
- Negative impacts on mental health
- Decreased motivation
- Difficulty learning and poorer grades
- Addiction
Even if it seems like everyone around you is using, remember, the majority of youth DON’T use cannabis. Four out of five Ontario students report not having used cannabis in the last year.1
Shield your mental health by not using cannabis
Young people who use cannabis often are at increased risk of:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Psychosis
Your brain works better without cannabis. Regular cannabis use can make it harder to do well at school or on the job.
Delaying cannabis use can benefit:
- Memory
- Learning
- Intelligence
Plus, if you’re under 19 it’s still illegal.
[1] Source: Boak, A. Hamilton, H.A., Adlaf, E.M., & Mann, R.E. (2017). Drug use among Ontario students, 1977-2017: Detailed findings from the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS) (CAMH Research Document Series No. 46). Toronto, ON: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
Make health choices using facts not beliefs
It is safer not to use cannabis but if you choose to use learn ways to reduce some of the risks to your brain and your body.
Keep Sharp
The brain continues to develop until your mid-20s. Regular and heavy cannabis use before the brain is fully developed can make it harder to do well at school or on the job. It may also be harder to stop using cannabis if you start at a young age.
Go Easy On Your Lungs
Like smoking cigarettes, smoke from cannabis can harm your lungs and make it harder to breathe. To reduce breathing problems, consider a vaporizer or edible cannabis instead of smoking. If you do smoke cannabis, avoid deep inhalation and breath-holding as this increases the amount of toxins brought into the lungs.
One At A Time
Complications are more likely if you mix drugs. For example, mixing cannabis with alcohol can cause extreme anxiety, nausea, vomiting and fainting. Mixing cannabis with tobacco also increases health harms. Tobacco contains nicotine which is very addictive and can make it harder to cut down or quit.
Share Carefully
If sharing, hold joints or devices in a way that you can inhale the smoke or vapor without touching them to your lips. Sharing items that have touched your lips increases the risk of spreading infections including meningitis, flu and other germs.
Stay Safe If Impaired
Cannabis impairs coordination and reaction time. The law does not allow young or novice drivers to have any cannabis or other drugs in their body when driving.
Plan a safe ride if you’re planning on using cannabis: Take public transit, call a sober friend or family member, call a cab or ride share, or stay the night and sleep it off.
Being high can also interfere with your ability to operate other machinery, play sports or ride a bike.
Know What You’re Using
Don’t use synthetic cannabis like “Spice” or “K2.” Synthetic cannabis is not cannabis: it is made by spraying unregulated chemicals onto any type of shredded plant. These chemicals can be toxic and may result in serious health problems.
Start Low. Go Slow.
Wait to feel the effects of cannabis before deciding whether to use more. It takes seconds to minutes to feel the effects of smoking or vaping and 30 minutes to 2 hours to feel the effects of edibles.
If you’ve never used cannabis before or have low-tolerance start with a lower THC product. If using an unfamiliar strain, sample a small amount first and wait to see how you react.
Limit Use
Have days where you don’t use. More problems are associated with more frequent use.
Be Careful If Pregnant Or Breastfeeding
If you’re pregnant be aware that cannabis can harm the fetus or newborn child. Speak with your health care provider if you need medicine to help with nausea. Cannabis can also be passed to the baby in breast milk. Until more is known about the short and long-term effects of cannabis on your baby, it is safest to avoid using cannabis while pregnant and breastfeeding
Be Aware Of Bad Reactions And Mental Health Effects
Cannabis can lead to scary reactions like feeling paranoid or even seeing or hearing things that aren’t there. You are at increased risk if you have a personal or family history of mental health problems such as psychosis.
If you have a bad reaction and feel too high, try to remain calm, stay hydrated, eat something and find a safe place where you feel comfortable.
Be wise. Know the facts. Use your instincts.
Adapted From:
- Fischer, B., Russell, C., Sabioni, P., van den Brink, W., Le Foll, B., Hall, W., Rehm, J. & Room, R. (2017). Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines (LRCUG): An evidence-based update. American Journal of Public Health, 107 (8). DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2017.303818.
- The Link. Use Responsibly. Ottawa Public Health.
- University of Victoria, Take Care with Cannabis, Centre for Addictions Research of BC.
- Canadian Nurses Association. Harm Reduction for Non-Medical Cannabis Use. January 2018.
Additional resources
Government of Canada | Cannabis Evidence Brief (August 2018): Is cannabis safe …Kids Help Phone: Cannabis: Important things to knowGovernment of Canada: Cannabis Health EffectsEarly Psychosis Intervention Ontario Network (EPION): My Cannabis IQTeen Mental Health: 10 Questions about cannabis use and teensUnfilteredFacts.caCentre for Addiction and Mental HealthGovernment of Ontario - Cannabis legalizationCannabis Statute Law Amendment Act, 2018
Date modified
August 03, 2023