On August 29, the results of the updated Alcohol Drinking Guidelines were released through a public consultation1. As we release the final version of the new benchmarks this week, we want to set out all of our approaches.
The initial report put forward a continuum of risk associated with alcohol consumption, where the risk of harm is low for those who consume two or fewer drinks per week; moderate for those who consume between three and six; and high for those who drink seven or more drinks per week.
The population seems to be largely in tune with these new results. According to a survey by the Association de santé publique du Québec, 78% of Quebecers consider that moderate alcohol consumption corresponds to five glasses or less per week.2.
Media coverage of the results was also largely positive. During the autumn, more than 800 reports were devoted to the subject in the media. Ongoing analysis reveals that three-quarters of published and broadcast content was either neutral or supportive of proposed drinking benchmarks.
The results of the public consultation
The public consultation nevertheless revealed that certain elements of the update needed to be revised, nuanced or clarified.
For example, although a section of the report was dedicated to the risks associated with occasional alcohol consumption, many expressed concern about the lack of a daily recommendation.
So revisions were made and the final report is now clear: on days you drink, limit your intake to two drinks.
Formulations have also been revised to prevent people who cannot or do not want to reduce their consumption to low or moderate risk levels from feeling stigmatized. The final report emphasizes this: every drink counts and any reduction in consumption is beneficial. In fact, heavy drinkers have even more to gain by reducing their consumption as much as possible.
Finally, the public consultation confirmed that we had considered all the evidence, that the studies used were of the highest quality, and that they had been carefully analyzed.
In short, after two years of work, an analysis of 5915 scientific studies and the consideration of 886 submissions to the public consultation, it appears that in terms of alcohol, less consumption means less risk of problems.
The main result of the update is a recommendation for alcohol consumers to reduce their consumption as much as possible. Simply put: drinking less is better.
This recommendation differs from previous Drinking Guidelines without being controversial. At the beginning of January, the World Health Organization declared that no level of alcohol consumption is safe for health.3.
The next steps
The new benchmarks will be useful to healthcare professionals who are essential allies in helping people assess their individual risk of harm.
We also hope that the benchmarks will be used by many organizations to craft messages that directly address the specific concerns of people with varying personal experiences.
Above all, we hope that the new benchmarks will be useful to anyone concerned about their health and who wants to know more about the effects of alcohol. The benchmarks have been developed for them, so that they are empowered to make informed decisions and make their own choices about how much alcohol they drink.