Alcohol Use

What percentage of grade 12 Ontario students admit to using alcohol?

83% of grade 12 Ontario students admit to using alcohol.

What is the average age of first exposure to alcohol among Ontario grade 11 drinkers?

The average age of first exposure is 13 years.

What is FASD and how many children are affected by it each year in Ontario?

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD); more than 2700 children are born each year with FASD.

What type of drug is alcohol classified as?

Alcohol is classified as a depressant.

Describe the pathway alcohol takes to enter the bloodstream.

Alcohol goes from the mouth to the stomach to the small intestine, then directly into the bloodstream.

What organ is responsible for processing alcohol?

The liver is responsible for processing alcohol.

What is cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis is when healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue, blocking blood flow and processing ability.

What are some factors affecting intoxication?

Age, body size, sex, rate of drinking, experience with alcohol, fatigue or illness, food in stomach, and amount of alcohol.

True or False? Wine, beer, and liquor all contain the same amount of alcohol.

False; they all have different amounts of alcohol.

What are long term effects of alcohol on the cardiovascular system?

Alcohol can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

What are the psychological aspects of dependence on drugs?

Dependence is a strong desire for the drug and is primarily psychological.

What is the difference between dependence and addiction?

Dependence is psychological; addiction includes both psychological and physiological needs for the drug.

What are long term effects of alcohol on the nervous system?

Alcohol can affect your brain.

What are long term effects of alcohol on the liver?

Constant consumption can damage the liver.

What are long term effects of alcohol on the mouth/stomach?

Alcohol can cause ulcers or sores.