Percent of Canadian adults who were heavy alcohol drinkers 2015-2023

In 2023, around 19 percent of Canadian adults were considered heavy alcohol drinkers. Males who consumed five or more drinks, or females who consumed four or more drinks, on one occasion at least once a month in the past year were considered heavy alcohol drinkers. 

Alcohol health risks

Heavy or excessive alcohol use can lead to a number of health problems. Long-term health risks from excessive alcohol use include high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, and certain cancers. Liver disease is also a well-known health risk that can result from alcohol abuse. Long-term alcohol abuse can cause the liver to become swollen and inflamed, which can lead to scarring called cirrhosis. The death rate for chronic liver disease in Canada has increased steadily over the last couple of decades, reaching around 12 deaths per 100,000 population in 2022. 

The alcohol market in Canada

In 2020, retail sales of alcoholic beverages in Canada reached almost 30 billion Canadian dollars. Although total retail sales of alcoholic beverages have increased in recent years, beer sales, actually decreased from 2020 to 2022. However, sales of spirits have gradually increased over the past decade, reaching around 6.9 billion Canadian dollars in 2023.