FAQ's
Is CCSA recommending that people not drink alcohol?
No. The guidance recommends that people consider reducing their alcohol use. The guidance provides people with the information they need to make their own choices about their health. People are going to have different comfort levels with different levels of risk.
Why was Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health created?
Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health replaces the 2011 Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines (LRDGs). The title change reflects the shift from specific low-risk guidelines to general guidance about alcohol use for individuals who want to make informed decisions about their health.
Do some studies show that alcohol is good for you?
The evidence no longer supports the idea that alcohol is good for your health. The fact that there is no healthy amount of alcohol use is supported by the World Health Organization and the World Heart Federation.
Does the type of alcohol I drink matter?
It is the alcohol in the drink that causes harm, not the specific type of drink. Any beverage that contains alcohol — beer, wine, cider, spirits — carries the risk of harms.
However, the amount of alcohol (the number of standard drinks) in any beverage can vary widely, depending on the particular beer, wine, cider or spirits.
Understanding how many standard drinks you’re drinking will help you to make informed decisions about the level of risk you’re comfortable with, no matter what type of alcohol you may drink. You can calculate alcohol for different drinks using a standard drink calculator.
What if someone drinks more than a moderate amount? What does the guidance recommend?
Any reduction in alcohol use is beneficial. This applies even for those who are unable or unwilling to reduce their risk to low or moderate levels. In fact, those consuming high levels of alcohol have even more to gain by reducing their consumption by as much as they are able.
Even small changes at any age can have a positive effect.
If you’re planning to reduce your alcohol use but are having difficulty reducing how much you drink, contact your physician or healthcare provider. Help is available.
What should I do if I’m worried that someone is drinking at a high-risk level?
Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health is an opportunity to have conversations about drinking. Feel free to share our website and empower people you care about to make decisions that make sense for them. It’s important not to shame or stigmatize people. We know this doesn’t produce positive change. Rather, find out what aspects of their health are most important to them and offer support, encouragement and compassion to help them achieve the goals they set.
Can my organization use the Drink Less, Live More campaign?
Please send a request through CCSA’s Permissions Form and we’ll follow up with you.