Explore ways to drink less and find support if you need it.
Drinking less alcohol can lower your risk of many health problems, including heart disease and cancer. It can also help you feel better day to day, with better sleep, increased energy and improved mood.
Every drink counts. Reducing how much you drink, even a little, can make a difference.
- Try this quiz to check your level of risk and find out how many fewer drinks could lower your risk.
- To better understand your drinking explore this self help guide Knowing your limits with alcohol: A practical guide to assessing your drinking.
Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health, Canadian Center on Substance use and Addiction: Drinking Less Is Better (Infographic)
Small practical changes can add up. Here are some ideas that may help:
- Spend time with people who also want to drink less
- Plan coffee dates
- Get outdoors
- Look for alcohol free events in your community
- Try new activities that don’t involve alcohol
- Learn a new skill or hobby
- Join a group or club that does not focus on alcohol
- Join a gym or try pickleball—choose an activity that works for you
- Set simple, achievable goals
- Start with one less drink or one less drinking occasion
- Choose an alcohol free day that works for you
- Invite others to join you
- Ask family or friends to take part in an alcohol free day or week
- Explore non alcoholic drinks
- Try different options to find what you enjoy
- Look up recipes to make your own
- Keep them in your fridge so they’re easy to grab
- Bring your own non alcoholic drink to social events
- Save money
- Put the money you don’t spend on alcohol in a jar
- Use it to plan something special that you enjoy
Resources
If you think you might be drinking too much, you are not alone. Check out the resources and services below.
- Getting help for your substance use concern
- Substance use (addictions) services
- Get help with drinking: Information and guidance about alcohol use based on evidence and lived experience. No bias. No judgment.
- Alcohol and drug use: HealthLink BC
- Here to help
- Get help: Problematic substance use resources
Services
Contact our Fraser Health Access Line: Mental Health and Substance Use (Home of Access Central for Substance Use Services). We will help you connect with the service that best fits your needs.
Call us at 1-833-866-6478 or
- Fill out our online form to request a call from our team. We will call you within 48 hours.
- We are open seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., 365 days a year.
If you are in crisis, call the Fraser Health crisis line: 604-951-8855 or 1-877-820-7444 (toll-free). Trained volunteers provide emotional crisis support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
HealthLink BC 8-1-1 Services
Dial 8-1-1 to speak to a registered nurse regarding a health problem (including substance use).