Know your drinking risk: Online tools help residents understand the benefits of cutting back

Southwestern Public Health is encouraging residents to reflect on their drinking habits and explore new, easy-to-use online tools that can show the real impact alcohol can have on their health.  

Local survey data shows that weekly alcohol use can range widely, from none to seven or more drinks, and that people generally do not always recognize how their habits add up over time. In 2023, nearly 21.7% of residents in the Elgin-St. Thomas and Oxford who drink reported consuming an average of seven or more drinks per week- well above the recommended upper threshold of high-risk to health outlined in Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health.  

“Alcohol is generally normalized in our society, and the health effects of alcohol are often time-delayed over many years,” says Dr. Ninh Tran, Medical Officer of Health at Southwestern Public Health. “What’s empowering is that even small behaviour changes - such as cutting back by one drink per week or understanding how much alcohol is in a single drink - can make a meaningful difference to your health.”  

Developed by the University of Victoria, KnowAlcohol.ca is an online resource that focuses on alcohol risks through personalized insights, such as how drinking may affect their risk of chronic disease, sleep, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. It also features an alcohol calculator that simplifies what qualifies as a standard drink, as serving sizes vary widely between beer, wine, and spirits.  

RethinkYourDrinking.ca is another online resource for individuals seeking practical strategies to cut back on alcohol. 

Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health highlights that less is better when it comes to alcohol. Cutting back, even slightly, can lead to measurable benefits, including better sleep and improved mood, increased focus and energy, lower risk of cancers and other chronic diseases, financial benefits, and a stronger sense of control over your health.  

“Interactive tools allow individuals to have clear, honest information in accessible formats so they can make informed choices that feel right for them,” says Dr. Tran.” Whether it’s reducing your intake each week, choosing alcohol alternatives, or simply becoming more aware of your habits, every step matters.”  

To learn more about these online resources, visit KnowAlcohol.ca and Rethinkyourdrinking.ca.