New Directions From Health Unit On Drinking

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge, District Health Unit (HKPR District Health Unit) would like to advise residents that the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) published their Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health with updated thresholds on alcohol usage as a replacement to the 2011 Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines (LRDGs).

Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health initiative began in July 2020 and was led by the CCSA to update Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines. The two-and-a-half-year process resulted in the creation of Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health, which replaces the LRDGs.

“What we can say for sure is that the more you drink, the more harmful it can be to your overall health,” said Dr. Natalie Bocking, Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer for the HKPR District Health Unit. “By choosing to limit your alcohol consumption you can reduce your risks of alcohol-related injuries and certain chronic diseases, including cancer.”

According to data collected from the Canadian Community Health Survey regarding alcohol consumption 42.2 per cent of residents within the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County and Northumberland County have reported consuming three or more drinks per week.

The updated guidance document presents evidence that less alcohol consumption affects health and that any level of alcohol consumption will increase the potential for long-term health risks including cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure and alcohol dependency.

According to Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health there is a continuum of risk associated with alcohol use.

Statements from the Centre:

0 drinks per week — has benefits, such as better health, and better sleep

2 standard drinks or less per week — person likely to avoid alcohol-related consequences for self or others

3–6 standard drinks per week — risk of developing several types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer, increases

7 standard drinks or more per week — 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 harm 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.

In other news from the Health Unit

The organization has launched the Perinatal Mental Health Awareness campaign to provide information and resources to assist pregnant and postpartum individuals and their families to identify and address mental health concerns during the perinatal period.

The Health Unit provides one-on-one support for families through the Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) Program, the Healthy Families information and support line and the Healthy Families Feeding and Nutrition Support Program. The goal of these programs is to help parents better understand the signs and symptoms of perinatal mental health concerns and to connect families to the appropriate mental health supports.

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