What are safe alcohol consumption levels for Canadians? “Less is better,” write the authors of an editorial published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal), referencing the alcohol consumption guideline published in early 2023 by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA).

The CCSA guideline, which recommends a much lower threshold of three drinks per week for safe consumption, compared with the previous guidance of 10 drinks for females and up to 15 for males, has sparked confusion and debate around safe thresholds for alcohol consumption.

“Ultimately, clinicians should communicate to patients that alcohol consumption, at even low levels, has adverse effects on health; many patients are likely unaware of the carcinogenic effects of alcohol,” write Drs. Savita Rani, outgoing CMAJ editorial fellow and a senior resident in public health, and Andreas Laupacis, CMAJ senior deputy editor.

As a carcinogen, alcohol is linked to many types of cancer. It can also increase the risk of liver disease, mental health disorders and other diseases.

“Patients who have alcohol-related diseases or risk factors for those diseases will benefit the most from a reduction in alcohol consumption. Patients who do not should be counselled that less alcohol is better in terms of overall health and encouraged to balance any benefits they may derive from alcohol consumption with its negative health effects,” they
conclude.

“’Less is better’ is the best message when talking to patients about alcohol” was published September 18, 2023.