Alcohol Reduction
Why Invest in Alcohol Reduction Strategies?
Alcohol-related harms (the negative consequences associated with alcohol consumption) are an important and growing health issue in Canada and a leading preventable cause of injury and death.1 Drinking alcohol increases an individual’s risk for heart disease, stroke, liver disease and seven different types of cancer.2 In 2019, 77% of Albertans, aged 15 and older, had used alcohol in the last year.3 In 2021, Alberta had more hospitalizations due to alcohol than to heart attack and stroke combined.4
Alcohol use also carries substantial costs for workplaces and society. In 2020, the cost of alcohol-related harms in Canada grew to $20 billion– costing more than any other substance, including tobacco. This includes $6.3 billion in
healthcare costs and $7.9 billion in lost productivity. 5 The use of alcohol can have negative impacts on work performance and present serious safety risks. According to the Occupational Health and Safety
Act, employers have the responsibility of providing a safe workplace.6 Workplaces have made strides in changing the acceptability of alcohol at the worksite. In 2009, only 14% of Alberta workers said that
alcohol was allowed on their worksite compared to 40% in 1992.7
Workplaces can build a supportive environment for employees by developing policies, offering alcohol misuse programs and services, training and education and raising awareness of workplace supports and of Canada's Guidance on Alcohol and Health. Workplaces can help to reduce alcohol-related harms and support healthy lifestyles by promoting a culture of moderation based on Canada's Guidance on Alcohol and Health.6 Workplace norms that are supportive of drinking, such as workplace sponsored events including alcohol, can influence employee’s drinking behaviour even if the workplace does not directly endorse drinking. Addressing alcohol use in the workplace, benefits both employers and employees. It contributes to better employee health, increased job satisfaction and reduced stress and depression. Employers benefit from reduced healthcare costs, lower absenteeism and higher productivity.7
- Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). Alcohol harm in Canada: Examining hospitalizations entirely caused by alcohol and strategies to reduce alcohol harm. Ottawa (ON): CIHI: 2022.
- Paradis, C., Butt, P., Shield, K., Poole, N., Wells, S., Naimi, T., Sherk, A., & the Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines Scientific Expert Panels. (2023). Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health: Final Report. Ottawa, Ont.: Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction.
- Statistics Canada. Canadian Alcohol and Drugs Survey. Ottawa, (ON): Statistics Canada; 2019.
- Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). Alcohol harm in Canada: Examining hospitalizations entirely caused by alcohol and strategies to reduce alcohol harm. Ottawa (ON): CIHI: 2022.
- Canadian Substance Use Costs and Harms Scientific Working Group. Canadian substance use costs and harms 2007–2020. (Prepared by the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction.) Ottawa, Ont.: Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction; 2023.
- Government of Alberta. Occupational Health and Safety Act. Edmonton (AB): Government of Alberta; 2017.
- Thompson A, Jacobs P, Dewa C. The Alberta survey of addicting behaviours and mental health in the workforce: 2009. Edmonton (AB): Institute of Health Economics; 2011.
- Beirness D, Gliksman L, Butt P. Alcohol and health in Canada: a summary of evidence and guidelines for low-risk drinking. Ottawa (ON): Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse; 2011.
- Alberta Health Services (AHS). Alcohol in the workplace. Alberta: AHS; 2017.
