Overall alcohol consumption in Ontario has declined, but the proportion of residents who engage in regular binge drinking remains higher than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic.
A study by the Canadian Mental Health Association surveyed 3,012 Ontario adults between Feb. 12 and March 18, 2025, collecting data on health-related behaviours including smoking, alcohol and drug use, mental health and physical health.
The study found overall alcohol use fell to 76.2 per cent in 2025 from 79.9 per cent in 2019. However, symptoms of alcohol dependence were higher than pre-pandemic levels.
The study’s authors said the mental health indicators in the findings paint a “stark picture of rising distress” across the province.
