Dry January: New tool calculates health risks from alcohol

The Benefits of Cutting Back on Alcohol: A New Online Tool

Many individuals are looking to start the new year with a “Dry January” as a way to detox from the holiday season’s indulgences. In line with this trend, researchers in British Columbia have introduced a new online tool that quantifies the costs of alcohol consumption and highlights the advantages of reducing intake.

KnowAlcohol.ca is the brainchild of experts at the University of Victoria’s Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research. Launched recently, this tool aims to provide users with personalized insights into their alcohol consumption habits.

The calculator on the website prompts users to input their age, gender, and weekly alcohol intake. Based on this information, it generates individualized data on the health risks associated with alcohol-related diseases, the equivalent impact on one’s health as smoking cigarettes, and the number of minutes of life lost per drink. Additionally, users can also explore the financial costs and calorie implications of their drinking habits.

Dr. Tim Naimi, affiliated with the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, emphasized the importance of providing accurate information about alcohol consumption. He noted that while food products come with detailed nutritional information, the same level of transparency is often lacking for alcoholic beverages.

The calculator is based on updated federal guidelines that recommend a maximum of two alcoholic drinks per week to minimize health risks. This new limit represents a significant reduction from previous guidelines, which allowed men up to 15 drinks and women up to 10 drinks weekly to stay within a low-risk range.

Naimi highlighted the tool’s focus on not just highlighting the potential harms of alcohol but also showcasing the benefits of cutting back. By providing personalized results, the aim is to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their drinking habits.

For instance, a 35-year-old woman consuming 10 drinks per week under the old guidelines faced a 1.9% risk of premature death from alcohol, an increase in cancer risk, and a “cigarette equivalency” of five. However, reducing her intake to five drinks per week lowered these risks significantly.

To explore the benefits of reducing alcohol consumption and access the calculator, visit KnowAlcohol.ca.