For individuals to make more informed decisions about alcohol use, it is important that they are aware of information about alcohol and its risks to their health, assess their personal risk and consider reducing their alcohol use. CCSA Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health has a continuum to help individuals assess the risks associated with their alcohol consumption.

The continuum along with information about standard drinks is shown below and can be used as a quick reference guide when discussing alcohol consumption with patients. However, the guidelines do not apply to everyone (e.g., youth), click the following link for more details as to whom the guidelines may apply: Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health. 

CCSA 2023

CCSA 2023

Effects of Alcohol Use

The following are some key points about alcohol to explore and share with your client. Subsequent discussion may help the brief heath counselling process.

 The short-term effects of alcohol include:

• visual impairment
• impaired judgment
• a decreased ability to focus and concentrate
• reduced capacity to process information and make decisions
• reduced reaction time
• reduced fine motor control
• alcohol poisoning

Together these short-term effects increase one’s risk of inflicting or experiencing violence, being involved in a motor vehicle collision, and experiencing other injuries and death.

The long-term effects of alcohol include:

• increased risk of chronic liver disease
• heart disease including stroke and high blood pressure
• several forms of cancer including but not exclusive to: liver, esophageal, throat, mouth, colon and rectum, and damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems