Alcohol

Alcohol is a legal and regulated drug in Canada and is one of the most highly used substances in Newfoundland and Labrador.  While alcohol is a popular part of our provincial and national landscape for social and cultural reasons, it also has known risks and harms. Canada has developed a National Alcohol Strategy to address problematic alcohol consumption.

The economic cost of alcohol-related harm across Canada is $14.6 billion per year. (CCSA, 2017)

The risks of alcohol consumption can be both short-term and long-term.

Short-terms risks include but are not limited to:
• Increase risk for violence.
• Impaired driving.
• Impaired decision making.

Long-term risks include but are not limited to:
• Chronic health conditions such as heart disease, ischemic stroke, hypertension, and certain cancers.
• Injury and possible death.

One way to reduce the associated risks and harms of alcohol use is to follow the Canadian Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines. The guidelines help Canadians moderate their alcohol consumption and reduce their immediate and long-term alcohol-related harm.

The Canadian Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines recommend that women drink no more than two drinks a day or 10 per week. For men, they recommend no more than three drinks a day or 15 per week. An extra drink is allowed on special occasions.