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Introduction Brief Clinical Interventions Beginning the Brief Clinical Intervention Stages of Change Stages of Change Information 4 A’s, 5 R’s SOC & Main Interventions Quick Reference Active Living BCI Tool using Stages of Change Healthy Eating, Healthy Weights BCI Tool using Stages of Change Low Risk Drinking BCI Tool using Stages of Change Tobacco-free Living Smoking Cessation Intervention (4 A’s Program) BCI Tool using Stages of Change Resource Options Links Health Promotion Calendar Health Connection Flyer Call to Action Health Professionals –Take the Challenge Endnotes


Low Risk Drinking - In a Nutshell

Low Risk Drinking is a term used to describe a way of life for an individual who makes informed decisions regarding why, when, where and how they consume alcohol in order to reduce their risk of illness and injury. .

The goal is to minimize the risks associated with alcohol. The Low Risk Drinking Guidelines were developed by a team of medical and social researchers from the University of Toronto and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

Here is a table that can be used as a quick reference guide, however the guidelines do not apply to everyone, click here for more details to whom the guidelines may apply  Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines (LRDG) Website

0

Zero drinks = lowest risk of an alcohol-related problem

2

No more than 2 standard drinks on any one day

9

Women - up to 9 standard drinks a week

14

Men - up to 14 standard drinks a week


Did you know that:
  • In Canada, the most commonly used drug is alcohol.52
  • It takes about 90 minutes for your body to absorb and eliminate one standard drink. 53
  • Youth have lower rates of health related problems but higher rates of alcohol related injuries and death.54
  • Your risk of head injuries increases as your blood alcohol level increases. 55
  • A driver with a blood alcohol level of 0.10% is 50 times more likely to be involved in a crash than a driver with a 0 blood alcohol level. 55
  • People who have been drinking are more likely to intentionally hurt others, or to have violence inflicted on them.56

The short term effects of alcohol include 57:

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

The long term effects of alcohol include 57:

  • 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
  • damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems
*There is no safe level of alcohol use during pregnancy
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