Health unit asking the public to know their drinking risk

By Lee Griffi

Southwestern Public Health is encouraging residents to reflect on their drinking habits and explore new, easy-to-use online tools that can show the real impact alcohol can have on their health.

Local survey data shows weekly alcohol use can range widely, from none to seven or more drinks, and people generally do not always recognize how their habits add up over time.

In 2023, nearly 21.7 per cent of residents in Oxford and Elgin-St. Thomas who drink reported consuming an average of seven or more drinks per week – well above the recommended upper threshold of high-risk to health outlined in Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health.

“Alcohol is generally normalized in our society, and the health effects of alcohol are often time-delayed over many years,” said Dr. Ninh Tran, medical officer of health at Southwestern Public Health. “What’s empowering is that even small behaviour changes, such as cutting back by one drink per week or understanding how much alcohol is in a single drink, can make a meaningful difference to your health.”

He added the goal of the campaign is to promote a pair of evidence-based online resources that have recently become available.

Developed by the University of Victoria, KnowAlcohol.ca is an online resource that focuses on alcohol risks through personalized insights, such as how drinking may affect their risk of chronic disease, sleep, mental wellbeing and overall quality of life. It also features an alcohol calculator that simplifies what qualifies as a standard drink, as serving sizes vary widely between beer, wine and spirits.

RethinkYourDrinking.ca is another online resource for people seeking practical strategies to cut back on alcohol.

While many recent surveys and studies show drinking is on the decline in Canada, Dr. Tran said alcohol abuse remains a significant problem.

“Any amount of reduction in consumption will have benefits, whether they are health benefits or reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer. There are also financial benefits as well as social and emotional advantages.”

New national guidelines suggest people quit drinking altogether to reduce heath risks to zero, while one to two drinks per week represents a low risk, three to six is moderate while seven-plus drinks each week raises the risk of developing health issues.

Dr. Tran added the health unit wants to be practical and realistic when it comes to area residents cutting back on booze.

“We aren’t asking people to make dramatic changes in their habits, which is why we pointed out these two evidence-based tools. For example, if you go to KnowAlcoho.ca, type in your age, sex and the amount of alcohol you are currently drinking; if you were to slightly reduce your intake to whatever goal you have, you would be able to see the health and financial benefits you might get.”

He added RethinkYourDrinking.ca has practical tips such as drinking more fluid while consuming alcohol, spacing drinks out, or dedicating some alcohol-free days.

“The small steps people are willing to do can have significant benefits. Any time you can cut back together with your family or friends, that can help with direct support and encouraging others to make small but meaningful changes.”

Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health highlights that less is better when it comes to alcohol. Cutting back, even slightly, can lead to measurable benefits, including better sleep and improved mood, increased focus and energy, lower risk of cancers and other chronic diseases, financial benefits, and a stronger sense of control over your health.

“Interactive tools allow individuals to have clear, honest information in accessible formats so they can make informed choices that feel right for them,” said Dr. Tran. “Whether it’s reducing your intake each week, choosing alcohol alternatives, or simply becoming more aware of your habits, every step matters.”

To learn more about these online resources, visit www.KnowAlcohol.ca and www.Rethinkyourdrinking.ca.