Key Takeaways
- 66% of Canadians aged 15 or older reported consuming alcohol at least once in the 30 days
- 6 million Canadians aged 12 and over report heavy drinking at least once a month
- About 21% of the Canadian population will meet the criteria for addiction in their lifetime
- There are 47,000 alcohol-related deaths in Canada each year
- More than 44% of students in grades 7 to 12 drank alcohol in 2017
Alcohol is the most commonly used and misused substance in Canada. Understanding Canadian trends in alcohol can help us stay informed regarding alcohol use disorder (AUD) in the country.
Alcohol Use Statistics in Canada
- In January 2021, 66% of Canadians aged 15 or older reported consuming alcohol at least once in the previous 30 days2
- From 2017 to 2019, Quebec has the highest percentage of alcohol use in Canada1
- Alcohol harms cost Canadian society $16.6 billion in 20196
- In 2020-21, liquor authorities sold the equivalent of 9.7 standard alcoholic beverages a week to Canadians of legal drinking age5
- In 2017, over 105,000 hospitalizations and over 700,000 emergency department visits were due to conditions caused by alcohol6
- Alcohol sales in Canada dropped to 1.2% to 3,141 million liters in 2021/2022
Sponsored
Online Therapy Can Help
Over 3 million people use BetterHelp. Their services are:
- Professional and effective
- Affordable and convenient
- Personalized and discreet
- Easy to start
Find a Therapist
Answer a few questions to get started
Alcohol Abuse (Binge Drinking) Statistics in Canada
- Nearly 6 million Canadians aged 12 and over report heavy drinking at least once a month4
- In 2021, 15.6% of Canadians were considered heavy alcohol drinkers2
- Men were more likely (23.5%) to report heavy drinking than women (14.8%) in 20183
- Canadians residing in rural areas were more likely to report heavy drinking (22.4%) compared to those living in urban areas (18.4%)3
- Heavy drinking in 2018 was higher than the national average in Newfoundland, Labrador (27.7%), and Quebec (21.2%)3
Alcohol Addiction Statistics in Canada
- One in 5 Canadians aged 15+ met the criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence over their lifetime6
- In Canada, approximately 21% of the population will meet the criteria for addiction in their lifetime10
- Alcohol was the most common substance for addiction at 18%10
Sponsored
BetterHelp can Help
They’ll connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor
Find a Therapist
Answer a few questions to get started
Deaths Caused by Alcohol Use in Canada
- 47,000 Canadian deaths are linked to substance abuse each year6
- There have been 3,790 alcohol-induced deaths in Canada in 2020 and 3,860 in 202111
- Ontario roadside surveys show that 4.4% of drivers had been drinking in 201712
- The percentage of fatally injured drivers who had been drinking decreased from 34% in 2008 to 28% in 201612
Sponsored
Thinking about Getting Help?
BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat.
Find a Therapist
Answer a few questions to get started
Alcohol Use in Young People in Canada
- In 2019, alcohol use was higher among young adults aged 20 to 24 (84%) and adults aged 25 years and older (78%) than youth aged 15 to 19 (46%)1
- In 2017, more than 44% of students in grades 7 to 12 reported consuming an alcoholic beverage8
- 13 years old is the average age of initiation for alcohol use8
- 64.5% of students in grades 10-12 have reported drinking alcohol in 20178
Canadian Resources for Alcohol Use and Addiction
If you or someone you know is addicted to alcohol, seek help immediately. There are various resources to educate and help you regarding alcohol use and addiction:
