How much alcohol should I be drinking?

If you currently drink alcohol and are wondering about how much is too much, there are guidelines to follow that will help lower any risks to your health. 

Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines are based on the most current research available.  Studies indicate that approximately half of the total harm and costs of alcohol come from people who drink beyond the Guidelines occasionally, and half come from those who do so more regularly. Although people who binge drink occasionally are individually less likely to experience alcohol-related problems than those who consume in regular heavy patterns, they are responsible for approximately the same amount of harm as regular heavy drinkers because they make up a much greater portion of the population.  And even individuals who binge drink only occasionally are at increased risk of chronic diseases including some cancers, cardiovascular disease, liver disease and mental health problems. Binge drinking can also lead to alcohol related crashes, other injuries, and alcohol-involved violence.

The new Guidelines suggest limits to reduce both short and long term alcohol-related harms.

To prevent chronic disease:

·       women should not drink more than two drinks a day and no more than 10 drinks a week.
·       men should not drink more than three drinks a day and no more than 15 drinks a week.
·       men and women should have non-drinking days to ensure that they are not developing a habit.

To reduce the risk of injury and harm:

·       women should not drink more than 3 drinks on any single occasion. 
·       men should not drink more than 4 drinks on any single occasion.

The Guidelines also highlight situations where alcohol should be avoided altogether, such as when pregnant, taking medication or driving.  They also include a specific message for young people. Remember, these are guidelines and not recommended amounts. Go to the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse website for more information.

Trouble may be on tap

It’s the weekend!!  Time to relax, hang out, and meet up with some friends at one of the many great restaurants or bars that Kingston has to offer.  But, as you’re waiting for your friends at your favourite spot you pick up a bad vibe…it’s crowded, people are getting bumped around, a guy is staring at you from across the bar, and a glass is slammed down.  This is what you might see and hear before a fight breaks out, and someone gets hurt.  Unfortunately, what’s on tap…is trouble.  

Ideally, your favourite pub or bar owner and their staff have attended a Safer Bars training workshop.  This training increases bar staff’s ability to work as a team and has been shown to reduce the risk of customers becoming aggressive, violent or injured.  If you work in a bar (or know someone who does) think about attending the upcoming training session in Kingston on November 5th. Register by contacting KFL&A Public Health.   

It’s no fun hearing loud and angry voices or observing the stuff that follows as a result.  Ditto for the sounds of sirens if the police or paramedics are called to the scene.  Safer Bars can help to ensure bar environments are safe for everyone. 

Queen’s homecoming returns

This past weekend marked the first weekend in the return of Queen’s Homecoming. This year, Queen’s has spread Homecoming over two separate weekends, with the second weekend yet to come.

In the Kingston Whig Standard, Tom Harris,VP Advancement for Queen’s University acknowledged that

“...we will likely see activity on neighbourhood streets near campus during Homecoming, as we often do at this time of year. But we’ve been working hard to stress to students, alumni and community members that we cannot see the events that led to Homecoming’s cancellation repeated. Homecoming should and must be an event that is respectful of Queen’s, our alumni, our students, and the Kingston community.”

Queen’s, in partnership with emergency personnel (including Kingston Police, Kingston General Hospital, Frontenac Paramedic Services, and Kingston Fire and Rescue among others), continues to work towards ensuring all students, alumni and community members are kept safe during the weekend events.  In a personal plea to students, Principal Woolf went door to door on Aberdeen and neighbouring streets asking them to avoid large gatherings and street parties, and instead to embrace and participate in the many sanctioned events and activities planned for Homecoming 2013. 

globeandmail.com

Relative to previous years, things have improved.  But according to CKWS, close to 2500 people, including students and alumni, gathered to party on Aberdeen Street, while more than 100 police officers worked diligently to stay on top of the situation.  The Kingston Police reported that 2 impaired driving charges, 16 arrests and 133 tickets were handed out in the university area – mostly for public intoxication and breaching the peace. 

Homecoming weekend is a cause for celebration, and alcohol can be an enjoyable part of that celebration.  Unfortunately for some, excessive alcohol use continues to be the focus. We need to change the conversation and look at solutions that will reduce harm to students, decrease alcohol-related violence and property destruction, and reduce the costs associated with the necessary police presence, without diminishing the fun and importance of homecoming weekend.

A recently released resource can help inform this conversation. “Making the Case: Tools for Supporting Local Alcohol Policy in Ontario” provides municipalities with options for addressing community problems related to alcohol. 

Women and alcohol: Stemming the tide of risky drinking

Award-winning journalist Ann Dowsett Johnston returns to Kingston to launch her new book: Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol at this year’s Kingston WritersFest.  

“Drink” chronicles the rise in risky drinking among women, as well as Ann’s personal story.  In a Toronto Star piece written to coincide with her book launch Ann describes her days in rehab:

 

“I am doing battle. I am battling for consciousness. I want to go to bed sober. I want to remember my dreams. I want to know myself without alcohol.”
 

Women are fast approaching the consumption patterns of men and the alcohol industry is marketing to women like never before.  While many people may say “so what?”, the rising trend in risky drinking among women has those of us working in public health wondering how we can stem the tide.
 

One for the Road

When:  Saturday, September 28, 2013 / 4:30–5:30 pm
Where: Bellevue South, Holiday Inn Kingston
Cost: General admission: $13.50 online /$17.00 onsite

 

Being myself – living and feeling and experiencing life



This post by Brenda Slomka, Manager, Residence Life, St. Lawrence College, Kingston

Before I go any further I should disclose that I’m writing this blog because I want to, not because I have to. I should also share that I work in Student Affairs, more specifically Residence and have done this work for a “couple of years”.  I do this work because I love contributing to developing community and because I love working with young adults.  I should clearly state that in all of my work within post-secondary institutions I never say that drinking is wrong. Lastly I should let you know that some life values that I hold close to me as well as time at my alma mater, the University of Waterloo will largely influence comments that I make in this post.

A couple of years ago on this date (okay so maybe it was more than a couple of years ago), I turned 19, and it just so happened that my birthday fell on what was one of the main orientation events at university.  While alcohol was available at orientation events if you were 19 years of age and had your ID, it wasn’t available at all events, just some.  I was blessed to study at a school that had balanced conversations/events around alcohol. 

As it turned out, I didn’t have my first drink of alcohol until April of that school year. One of the reasons was money.  While mom and dad helped me with some tuition over first year, I was paying for my education myself.  Another reason was that I loved going out with friends knowing that I’d be safe - that my drinks wouldn’t be drugged, and that I didn’t have to worry about drinking and driving.  Mostly it was about living and feeling and experiencing all that I could. 

All of this was, I think a good foundation for when my residence friends and I were out and they offered to buy me a drink.   I was simply able to say “I’m not drinking tonight” as we danced the night away at Fed Hall.

I’m reminded of another birthday I celebrated.  I was with a bunch of people standing outside.  We were observing students walking home from the pub.  I remember someone made a comment about "everyone has to get it out of their system" and then someone else turned and looked at me saying "not everyone".  I smiled but also found myself reflecting on the many conversations I’ve had in the campus pub and other fine establishments.  Conversations that when you really get down to it are not about why doesn't Brenda get drunk, or why haven't you smoked pot but about who I am and how I live my life.
This post isn't about right and wrong.
It isn't about justification.
It isn't even about making a case for myself.

It is for me -if you will - almost like giving myself permission to be myself and to celebrate the woman I am.  It is an opportunity for me to consider that I have not missed out on much, living life the way I have.  It is an opportunity for me to celebrate and relish the confidence I have in who I am and who I am becoming.

And it is a hope that it will maybe encourage you to consider the choices that you are making around alcohol.  It’s my hope that maybe you’ll give pause to when you choose to consume alcohol and that it may just remind you that there are many of us who have done just fine without it.

So let me leave you with this quote from Tuesdays with Morrie, where author Mitch Albom summarizes a conversation he has with his old professor:

"...so many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning".

Here’s to a great year of contribution, community and purpose.