With summer in full swing, many people are enjoying drinks on the patio or at barbecues with friends and family. Coupled with the recently announced expansion of alcohol sales in Ontario and the recent LCBO work stoppage, the question of how people drink is front and centre. What’s lost in that discussion are the health impacts of alcohol.
Alcohol is a known carcinogen, which increases the risks of certain cancers such as colorectal and breast cancer. However, health risks associated with alcohol consumption go beyond this – impacting mental, emotional and social health as well.
Additionally, alcohol is a depressant that influences the central nervous system by slowing brain functions related to behavior, thought processes, attitudes, breathing, and heart rate. Those who misuse alcohol are at a greater risk of facing a number of health and social issues.
Tom Nguyen is a social worker at Sunnybrook’s Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinic. He works alongside patients from many different walks of life who are struggling with alcohol and substance abuse. As a social worker, his job is to help patients through a harm-reduction approach and reduce the impacts of substance and alcohol use on their overall health by offering education, addiction focused counselling and connecting them to resources.
Tom spoke with Your Health Matters about the alcohol consumption, the impacts it has on a person’s health, and what resources are available for support.
What are the risks related to alcohol consumption that can impact health?
The consumption of alcohol can impact a person’s physical, mental and social health. Common risks discussed with patients focus on physical health, including increased risks of liver damage, cardiovascular issues, weakened immune systems, possible negative interactions with medications, and other health issues. However, social workers also emphasize the risks of alcohol consumption on mental and social health, such as worsening mental health conditions, increasing risky behavior that can lead to accidents and injuries, straining relationships with others, and potentially impacting activities of daily living like work, school, or self-care to name a few examples.
How does alcohol consumption affect mental and emotional health?
There have been numerous studies to show the negative impacts of alcohol on one’s mental and emotional health. Studies have shown that persistent and excessive alcohol over time can create structural changes in the brain that impact how we manage our emotions, memory, attention, and other cognitive functions. Additionally, alcohol consumption can worsen current mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. It may even contribute to development of new mental health issues like addictions and/or substance use disorder, sleep issues, emotional instability, and social isolation. In extreme cases, excessive alcohol consumption can also impair a person’s judgement and make them impulsive or more likely to engage in risky behaviours that can put them or others at risks for harm.
What should people take away from Canada’s new low-risk drinking guidelines?
Canada’s new low-risk drinking guidelines were updated in January 2023 due to recent research on the negative impacts of alcohol use on a person’s physical health. The guidelines show the risk associated with alcohol consumption on a weekly basis with an emphasis on the negative health impacts. It is recommended that anyone who consumes alcohol should not have more than two standard drinks per week to minimize health risks. However, individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not consume any alcohol.
This change is a drastic shift from the previous recommendations of men having up to 15 standard drinks per week with no more than three drinks per day and women having no more than 10 standard drinks per week with no more than two drinks per day. This major change in recommendations is a result of research that shows how much alcohol can negatively impact a person’s life.
The current recommendations may be a shock to some people, but the low-risk drinking guidelines are meant to serve as a tool to help people make informed decisions about alcohol consumption to minimize health risks. What’s most important is individuals making a change that is impactful for them and aligns with their personal needs, values and lifestyle.
What are some ways that people can minimize the risks to themselves and others posed by alcohol consumption?
Minimizing the risks associated with alcohol consumption involves a combination of being self-reflective, keeping oneself informed, monitoring one’s drinks, planning ahead, and being receptive of supports. People can use the low-risk guidelines as a tool to identify where they or others may fall in the continuum of risks of alcohol use. People can also get professional help from a family doctor, other care providers, or resources like RAAM clinics to help provide recommendations to address any risks.
Who is the most at risk of misusing alcohol?
Anyone can be at risk of misusing alcohol if they are not informed of the potential risks and negative consequences of long-term consumption. However, there are some characteristics that make some people more likely to misuse alcohol, such as underlying or untreated mental health issue, genetic predisposition or family history, working in high-stress environments, having a history of trauma or abuse, social isolation, and financial stress.
What general advice do you have for people about how they can drink responsibly and develop a low-risk and health-conscious relationship with alcohol?
I suggest that a good starting pointing is for individuals to ask themselves what a “healthy relationship” with alcohol looks like. Based on their own expectation of what that would mean, it may be good to involve others such as family members or doctors to give their input as well. We often think alcohol effects the individual consuming it, but it can also effect other people such as family or friends. It is also important for people to speak with their primary care provider or other medical professional to have them share their input on this matter. I encourage people to set intentional and well-informed expectations about their drinking decisions because this helps contribute to a healthy relationship with alcohol.
What resources are available for those who may be struggling with alcohol misuse?
For those who may be struggling with alcohol use, I recommended connecting with a nearby RAAM clinic. There are a number of clinic locations across the province and they are meant to be lower barrier and fast access to get support for alcohol and substance use.
Another helpful resource is ConnexOntario. This is a 24/7 information hotline that helps people navigate and connect with mental health and/or addiction services all across Ontario.
Sometimes people may not feel comfortable connecting to resources on their own and would prefer to have a professional like a social worker or family doctor help – this is also a great step forward. Self-awareness and knowing what may be needed for support will help a person’s recovery.
The key takeaway is to know that while alcohol consumption is a common part of life for many people, it is also important to be self-aware and educated on the risks associated with it.
There are many different resources available for anyone who is struggling, and social workers are one of the many professionals who offer support to those seeking help.
