Moderate Alcohol Consumption and Low-Risk Drinking

Alcohol impacts everyone differently. Read more to find out what moderation means.

Moderate, regular alcohol consumption

The same amount of alcohol can have a very different impact on different people. Canada’s Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines recommend:

Women: Do not drink more than two standard drinks per day and limit consumption to 10 standard drinks by week.
Men: Do not drink more than three standard drinks per day and limit consumption to 15 standard drinks by week.
At least two non-drinking days each week to prevent it from becoming a habit.

Definition of a standard drink
1 glass of beer	341 ml	12 oz	5 per cent alcohol
1 glass of wine	142 ml	5 oz	12 per cent alcohol
1 glass of spirits	43 ml	1.5 oz	40 per cent alcohol
glass of fortified wine	85 ml	3 oz	18 per cent alcohol

The safer drinking limits are less for the elderly because their bodies are more sensitive to the toxic effects of alcohol. Some people should abstain from drinking altogether, or drink less than the recommended limits. These include people with specific health problems, people taking medication, and people with a personal or family history of alcohol dependency.

Women who are pregnant or trying to conceive should not drink alcohol. Read more.

Drinking habits make the difference

When it comes to the impact on your health and life, there is a world of difference between having two drinks a day and downing 14 drinks once a week. Moderate, regular and responsible drinking requires you to limit the amount you drink on each occasion, as well as how much you drink over the course of an average week. Check out Canada’s low-risk alcohol drinking guidlines as they can help you decide when, where, why and how.

Research suggests that the health benefits from light alcohol consumption are maximized at a little less than a drink a day on average.

The effects of moderate, regular alcohol consumption on health vary from one person to the next. It is not possible to make recommendations that apply to all people all the time, but the low-risk drinking guidelines are the best guide for the average person.

Want to learn more? Take the Alcohol Reality Check

© Adapted from Éduc’alcool’s “Alcohol and Health” series, 2014. Used under license.

Last Updated: August 8, 2019

Important Phone Numbers

If you or someone you know needs help, call one of the numbers below:

9-1-1 if you are in an emergency.
8-1-1 for non-emergency information on how to access alternatives to toxic drug supply and substance use services
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) if you are considering suicide or are concerned about someone who may be.
310Mental Health Support at 310-6789 (no area code needed) for emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health.
Kid’s Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 to speak to a professional counsellor, 24 hours a day.
Alcohol & Drug Information and Referral Service at 1-800-663-1441 (toll-free in B.C.) or 604-660-9382 (in the Lower Mainland) to find resources and support.

Find Mental Health and Substance Use Support

Are you looking for mental health and/or substance use support in British Columbia?

Visit Mental Health and Substance Use Supports in B.C., an online resource of over 6,000+ mental health and substance use services. Or, call 8-1-1 any time of the day or night for help navigating the mental health system. For the deaf and hard of hearing call 7-1-1 (TTY) or for VRS, visit Video Relay Services to sign up and give them the number 604-215-5101 to call us.