Drugs, Alcohol and Cannabis Use
Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health
Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health provides evidence-based advice on alcohol to support people in making informed decisions about their health. The guidance is based on the latest research on alcohol-related risks and replaces Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines (LRDGs) issued in 2011.
The guidance is based on the principle of autonomy in harm reduction and the fundamental idea behind it that people living in Canada have a right to know that all alcohol use comes with risk.
Key points from the guidance include:
- There is a continuum of risk associated with weekly alcohol use where the risk of harm is:
- 0 drinks per week – Not drinking has benefits, such as better health, and better sleep.
- 2 standard drinks or less per week – You are likely to avoid alcohol-related consequences for yourself or others at this level.
- 3–6 standard drinks per week – Your risk of developing several types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer, increases at this level.
- 7 standard drinks or more per week – Your risk of heart disease or stroke increases significantly at this level.
- Each additional standard drink radically increases the risk of alcohol-related consequences.
- Consuming more than 2 standard drinks per occasion is associated with an increased risk of harms to self and others, including injuries and violence.
- When pregnant or trying to get pregnant, there is no known safe amount of alcohol use.
- When breastfeeding, not drinking alcohol is safest.
- No matter where you are on the continuum, for your health, less alcohol is better.
Cannabis and Cannabinoids
- Cannabis and Cannabinoids: Cancer risk and use to manage cancer symptoms
- The current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2017.
- Canada’s Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines
- Non-Medical Cannabis Resource
Opioids
Impacts of Stigma and Discrimination on People Who Use Substances in LGL (Health Canada Substance Use and Addictions Program Grant 2020-2023)
Stigma and discrimination experienced in our health and social services systems by people who use substances results in chronic stress, reduced access to health and social services and an increased risk of violence and assault, resulting in greater risk for experiencing poorer health and social outcomes.
In 2023, the Health Unit completed a 3 year Health Canada Substance Use and Addictions grant project to gain a better understanding of the experiences of accessing services in LGL by people who use substances as well as the experience of providing services to people who use substances. The following reports summarize the results of research conducted;
The Health Unit produced a workshop “Impacts of Stigma and Discrimination on People Who Use Substances in LGL” to share the lessons learned from the project, to expand the understanding of the impacts of stigma and discrimination for service providers, and to provide interventions at the personal and organizational level. The workshop can be self-directed or done with others. It provides opportunities for participants to practice self-reflection, participate in group discussions and commit to making change in their agencies and communities.
- Substance Use and Addictions Prevention (SUAP) Survey Executive Summary
- Substance Use and Addictions Prevention (SUAP) Grant: People with Lived or Living Experience Using Substances 2021 Survey Summary Report
- Substance Use and Addictions Prevention (SUAP) Service Providers Focus Groups Summary 2022
Workshop Resources
- Addressing Stigma: Towards a More Inclusive Health System (pg. 24 and 41)
- “I commit” certificate
- Substance Use and Stigma Assessment Tool
- Language Matters
- Equip Health Care
More Stigma and Discrimination Learning Opportunities
To find out more about substance use and harm reduction please visit the Drug Use and Harm Reduction Section or send us an email [email protected].