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Sexualized violence resources and support

Alcohol, cannabis & other substances

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People use alcohol, cannabis and/or other substances for different reasons, and everyone reacts differently. It’s important to respect other’s choices about using them. Always be clear about how strong a drink or substance is before sharing. Even having a few drinks can lower self-control and decision making.

Positive, consensual sexual experiences can happen after drinking or using substances. This is especially true when you have built up a strong relationship built on trust with the other person/people. 

But alcohol and/or substance use also adds risk, especially if you don’t know the person well. It can make it harder to communicate, understand and interpret consent, especially since people communicate non-verbally more often than verbal. If you’re unsure how someone communicates consent sober, it’s harder to interpret their words and actions when they are drunk or high. 

Current research

In the 2021-2022 Canadian Post Secondary Education and Drug Use Survey, students said they used alcohol more than any other substance. Most disclosures of sexualized violence by university students involved alcohol. This does not mean that alcohol and other substances cause sexualized violence, but it can make situations harder to navigate or confusing.

In this same study, 45% of students said they drank alcohol in a way that counts as heavy drinking. Other studies have shown a connection between heavy drinking, mixing alcohol with cannabis, and non-consensual sexual experiences. People said they felt less safe or comfortable when these substances were involved.  

Practical tips

Using alcohol, cannabis and other substances can impact how we practice consent in significant ways:

  1. noticing consent cues
    • using substances can impact our ability to pay attention to and understand body language that shows someone doesn’t want to continue with sexual activity
    • the person initiating any physical encounter must have clear consent
  2. the ability to make one’s own free and informed choices
    • using substances can lower people’s ability to fully understand what they are choosing to do
    • someone who is incapacitated cannot give consent since they may not be considering the risks at that moment, during or afterwards
    • for example, engaging in sexual activity without protection and perceived risk of STIs or pregnancy
  3. making sure the other person can communicate their “no”
    • alcohol and substances can affect body movement, so someone might not be able to communicate non-verbally that they want to stop
    • stop if you're unsure

If you are interested in sexual activity while using alcohol and other substances remember to: 

  1. educate yourself
    • learn more about the substances you are using or want to use and how they impact you
  2. make consent part of the fun
    • share how substances impact you and ask about how they impact your sexual partner(s)
  3. use responsibly
    • keep your alcohol and substance use at a level where you can practice meaningful and ongoing consent

If you are too drunk or high to practice consent, you need to stop what you are doing. Being under the influence of alcohol or substances is never an excuse for not practicing consent.

Just because someone accepts at drink or substance doesn’t mean they want to have sex or are giving consent. Never pressure anyone to drink or use substances just because you want them to.

More resources

 Learn more about safer substance use tips and resources: