Alcohol Use

The Facts We All Need to Know

Alcoholic beverages have been a social staple for thousands of years. Associations with “drinking” are often positive: wine that complements a meal with friends, a cocktail to celebrate the holidays, a latenight whiskey after work. This view quickly changes when one sees the potential dire consequences of its use: traumas, liver failure, bleeding, dementia. These poor outcomes may become more noticeable the more you drink.

The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction has established “low risk” guidelines on alcohol consumption, advising no more than 10 drinks per week/ two drinks per day for women, and 15 drinks per week/three drinks per day for men (note that a “drink” is defined as either 12 oz of 5% beer, 5 oz of 12% wine, or 1.5 oz of 40% distilled alcohol).

According to a recent survey performed by Statistics Canada,

24% of Canadians believe that their alcohol intake increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the provincial level, Ontario experienced the highest increase, at 30%. Lockdown is a risk factor for increasing alcohol intake and placing at-risk individuals in harm’s way, especially women. For the city of Thunder Bay, this is a major concern, since half of our population drinks more than the Low Risk Drinking Guidelines recommend. That proportion is closer to 70% in the 19–44 age group.

There are a variety of ways alcohol can negatively affect the body. Ethanol (alcohol) can be converted into a substance called acetaldehyde, which is toxic to cells. Individuals are unique in how much ethanol they can convert to acetaldehyde, and subsequently, how much acetaldehyde they can ultimately clear from their body. Thus, the toxic effects of alcohol will vary from person to person. This may explain why certain individuals are at higher risk of alcohol-related diseases.

While many people are aware of the theoretical risk of excess alcohol consumption, the actual frequency of the negative effects is often unrecognized. For example, it is estimated that one in 10 deaths in Ontario are related to alcohol. Furthermore, 2–4% of all new cancer diagnoses in 2010 in Ontario were thought to be related to alcohol. On a global stage, the most recent estimate from 2020 is 750,000 cancer-related cases. Types of cancer include those of the oral cavity, throat (pharynx and larynx), and esophagus—areas directly in contact with alcohol. Other associated sites include liver and breast. The more alcohol consumed, the higher these risks become. From our personal experience working in Thunder Bay over the past three years, we can unfortunately confirm that there have been a large number of hospital admissions associated with alcohol-related illness and disease.

Alcohol use remains a complex health issue. The first major challenge is recognizing that alcohol can be problematic and harmful. Readers should also be reminded of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s campaign, Cancer Doesn’t Stop for COVID-19. We urge you to visit your primary care provider to talk about appropriate agebased cancer screening recommendations. Despite all of the setbacks that occurred over the last year, ensure that routine screening for breast, cervical, and colon cancers are back on your to do list.

If you feel that you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or addiction, help is available at:

• Wellness Together Canada: 1-866-585-0445

• ConnexOntario, for addiction, mental health, and problem gambling services: 1-866-531-2600

• Good2Talk (Ontario students ages 17–25): 1-866-925-5454

For a list of available online supports, visit bit.ly/ virtual-recovery-resources.

Dr. Jordan Green, MD, FRCPC, is a gastroenterologist at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and regional colorectal screening GI/ endoscopy co-lead for Northwestern Ontario. Dr. Joseph Del Paggio,

MD, FRCPC, is a medical oncologist at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.