Alcohol and your health
Alcohol affects each of us differently so it’s important to make informed choices about alcohol use. Health related harms are linked with the amount of alcohol consumed; the more consumed, the more risk of harm. Alcohol use is a leading cause of injury and death and leads to chronic diseases including seven types of cancer. Consider drinking less. Any reduction in alcohol consumption benefits health.
Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health is the most current guidance for Canadians around alcohol use.
- All levels of alcohol consumption are associated with some risk, so drinking less is better for everyone.
- Among healthy individuals, there is a continuum of risk for alcohol-related harms where the risk is:
- Low for individuals who consume between 1 and 2 standard drinks per week.
- Moderate for those who consume between 3 and 6 standard drinks per week.
- Increasingly high for those who consume more than 6 standard drinks per week.
- On any occasion, any level of alcohol consumption has risks, and with more than two standard drinks, most individuals will have an increased risk of injuries.
Additional information
- Alcohol use - HealthLink BC
Where to get help
If you are concerned about your alcohol use, or want to reduce it or stop it, supports and resources are available:
- Call the Northern Health Virtual Clinic at 1-844-645-7811 (for Northern Health residents only)
- Call the British Columbia: Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service at 604-660-9382 (Greater Vancouver) or 1-800-663-1441 (toll free call)
- Call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 (toll free call)
- Your health care provider