Alcohol Use
General Population
Alcohol use is very common in Alberta. An estimated 93.6% of Albertans over the age of 15 have used alcohol at least once. 79.5% of Albertans in this age range report having used alcohol in the past year. These rates of use are similar to those reported for all Canadians. 
There are only slight sex differences in lifetime and past year drinking. 82.4% of males in Alberta aged 15 years and older reported drinking alcohol in the past year, compared to 76.7% of females.
Past year drinking rates peak during young adulthood. 64.0% of those aged 15 to 17, 85.9% of 18 to 29 year olds, 82.3% of 30 to 49 year olds, and 74.1% of those 50 years and older report drinking in the past year.
Youth
Two studies of student alcohol use provide information about lifetime alcohol use among students in Grades 7 – 12. Health Canada’s Youth Smoking Survey, run in 2006-07 with students from across Canada, included questions about alcohol use. In addition, the Alberta Youth Experience Survey (TAYES 2005) collected information about alcohol use in this age group. The results show that about 71% of Alberta students in Grades 7 – 12 have used alcohol at least once in their lifetime. This is similar to the rate for students in this grade level in Canada overall. 
Lifetime and past year drinking rates are slightly lower for female Albertan students. 66.0% of male students in Grades 7 – 12 report having used alcohol in the past year, compared to 61.2% of female students in this grade range.
Hazardous and Harmful Drinking
Treatment
References
Alcohol Use
General Population
Alcohol use is very common in Alberta. An estimated 93.6% of Albertans over the age of 15 have used alcohol at least once. 79.5% of Albertans in this age range report having used alcohol in the past year. These rates of use are similar to those reported for all Canadians.
There are only slight sex differences in lifetime and past year drinking. 82.4% of males in Alberta aged 15 years and older reported drinking alcohol in the past year, compared to 76.7% of females.
Past year drinking rates peak during young adulthood. 64.0% of those aged 15 to 17, 85.9% of 18 to 29 year olds, 82.3% of 30 to 49 year olds, and 74.1% of those 50 years and older report drinking in the past year.
Youth
Two studies of student alcohol use provide information about lifetime alcohol use among students in Grades 7 – 12. Health Canada’s Youth Smoking Survey, run in 2006-07 with students from across Canada, included questions about alcohol use. In addition, the Alberta Youth Experience Survey (TAYES 2005) collected information about alcohol use in this age group. The results show that about 71% of Alberta students in Grades 7 – 12 have used alcohol at least once in their lifetime. This is similar to the rate for students in this grade level in Canada overall.
Lifetime and past year drinking rates are slightly lower for female Albertan students. 66.0% of male students in Grades 7 – 12 report having used alcohol in the past year, compared to 61.2% of female students in this grade range.
Hazardous and Harmful Drinking
Treatment
References