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When someone who drinks alcohol becomes accustomed to a particular dose and needs higher amounts in order to obtain the same effects, he or she is likely to have developed a tolerance.
Tolerance develops over time and will change depending on many factors, such as:
Most importantly, people who don't drink alcohol, or have taken a break from drinking alcohol, may experience lower tolerance.
Most alcohol-related illnesses, social problems, accidents and deaths are caused by “problem drinking.” This term describes alcohol use that causes problems in a person’s life, but does not include physical dependence, one indicator of a substance use disorder (addiction). Problem drinking is four times as common as severe alcohol dependence.
Substance use disorders (addiction) is a medical condition that often requires treatment from health care providers. Substance use disorders can involve both psychological and physical dependence.
The word “addiction” is often used to refer to any behaviour that is out of control in some way. People often describe themselves as being addicted to, for example, a TV show or shopping.
Addiction is also used to explain the experience of withdrawal when a substance or behaviour (e.g., drinking alcohol) is stopped (e.g., “I must be addicted to coffee: I get a headache when I don’t have my cup in the morning”). However, experiencing enjoyment or going through withdrawal do not in themselves mean a person has an addiction.
Because the term “addiction” is commonly used in such a vague way, there have been many attempts to define it more clearly. The definition used here refers to problematic use of a substance such as alcohol.
One simple way of describing substance use disorders (addiction) is the presence of the 4 Cs:
The harms of substance use can range from mild (e.g., feeling hungover, being late for work) to severe (e.g., homelessness, disease). While each time a person uses a substance may seem to have little impact, the harmful consequences can build up over time. A person who keeps using substances despite the harmful consequences may develop a substance use problem that can affect every aspect of a person's life much the same as problematic drinking.
Some people may be aware that their substance use causes problems but continue to use, even when they want to stop. They may use more than they intended or in situations where they didn’t want to use.
Some people may not see that their substance use is out of control and is causing problems (denial). This so-called denial, however, may simply be a lack of awareness or insight into the situation. Whether people realize it or not, lack of control is another sign that substance use is a problem.
View Addiction: An Information Guide to learn more about addiction.
Withdrawal symptoms can include sleeplessness, tremors, nausea and seizures within a few hours after a person's last drink. These symptoms can last from two to seven days and range from mild to severe, depending on the amount of alcohol consumed and the period of time over which it was used.
Some people experience delirium tremens, or “the DTs,” five to six days after they stop drinking. This dangerous syndrome consists of hallucinations, confusion, fever and racing heart. If left untreated, severe alcohol withdrawal can result in death.
Researchers define binge drinking as having many drinks on one occasion: five or more drinks for those assigned male at birth (AMAB), or four or more drinks for those assigned female at birth (AFAB). A standard drink is defined as:
Intoxication affects your judgment, your attitude, your behaviour and your reflexes. People do all kinds of things when they are drunk that they would never dream of doing when they are sober. People are less inhibited, sensitive and aware and more reckless and careless when they are intoxicated. They often do things that seem stupid, dangerous, embarrassing or even shameful to them once they have sobered up.
When you binge drink, your risk of many safety and health problems increases. These include:
Over a longer term, repeated binge drinking can also increase the risk of:
Source: The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Government of Canada