Reducing the health and safety risks associated with drinking alcohol
Reducing the health and safety risks associated with drinking alcohol
Alcohol is the psychoactive substance that is consumed most by the Quebec population aged 15 and over. It is a drug that acts on the central nervous system.
Drinking alcohol increases the risk of developing at least seven types of cancer (mouth, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, liver, colon, breast) and about 200 diseases (stroke, pancreatitis, liver disease, epilepsy, dementia, addiction, etc.), in addition to increasing the risk of injuries or accidents for yourself and for others.
There is no safe limit. Every drink you do not have can make a real difference, even in the short term, by improving sleep for example. To reduce the health and safety risks, it is necessary to reduce your alcohol consumption.
To find out more about this substance, its harmful effects and what a standard drink is, go to the page Alcohol.
On this page:
Tips for reducing your alcohol consumption
To reduce your alcohol consumption, here are a few tips:
Measure how much you drink using the standard drink value to calculate the quantities better
Alternate with non-alcoholic drinks (e.g., water)
Choose relaxing activities or socialize without alcohol
Set goals (e.g., do not drink alone, do not drink on certain days of the week, set a limit on the number of drinks)
Drink slowly
Reduce the risks if you drink
If you plan to drink alcohol, here is some advice to reduce the risk:
Eat before or while drinking to avoid having an empty stomach
Have non-alcoholic beverages available
Prioritize low-alcohol beverages
Pace your drinking
Alternate between alcohol and water to quench your thirst
Set a limit on how much you are going to drink
Drink slowly
To return home after a night out, walk, take public transport or call a loved one, a designated driver service or a taxi
Choose a person to be a designated driver, someone who will not drink, and give them your car keys
Wait for your body to get rid of the alcohol in your blood before driving. How long it takes to eliminate alcohol can vary depending on different factors, including your characteristics and the amount of alcohol consumed. If in doubt, avoid driving
Situations in which to avoid drinking alcohol
To reduce risks to your health and safety, you should avoid drinking alcohol:
If you plan on driving or operating machinery or equipment
If you are taking medication or other substances that may interact with alcohol. For more details, consult a health professional or the page Alcohol and drugs: a combination to avoid
If a health professional recommends that you abstain from drinking because of your physical or mental condition
If you are pregnant or planning to be
If you are breastfeeding
If you are responsible for the safety of others (e.g., a baby, a child, a person who is not independent)