We started drinking more during the pandemic — and that habit hasn’t changed much, a new survey finds – CBC

Report on Alcohol Consumption Trends in Canada and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction

As 2026 begins, many Canadians participate in Dry January, abstaining from alcohol for the month. However, recent research highlights concerns regarding alcohol consumption patterns in Canada. While overall alcohol use has declined over the long term, adults who do consume alcohol are drinking in larger quantities than before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

Alcohol Consumption Trends and the COVID-19 Pandemic

The CAMH report released in January 2026 indicates that the pandemic and associated public health measures have had lasting effects on alcohol use. Dr. Leslie Buckley, psychiatrist and chief of the Addictions Division at CAMH, notes the significant impact of social restrictions on interpersonal relations and drinking behaviors.

Despite the easing of social restrictions, there remains a challenge to reduce harmful drinking levels due to the easy accessibility of alcohol.

Patterns of Alcohol Consumption in Canada

Prevalence of Drinking

1. Approximately 76% of Canadian adults of legal drinking age consumed at least one alcoholic beverage in the past 12 months (Statistics Canada).
2. About 22% of these adults drink at least once a month.

Frequency and Intensity of Drinking

• There has been a 3% increase in daily drinking in 2025 compared to 2019.
• Binge drinking (defined as five or more drinks on a single occasion at least once per week) increased by 3.6% since before the pandemic.

Gender Differences

• 9.8% of men reported daily alcohol consumption versus 5.6% of women.
• 13.7% of men engaged in weekly binge drinking compared to 5.8% of women.

Health Risks Associated with Increased Alcohol Consumption

Physical Health Consequences

• Reduced resistance to infection
• Increased risk of various cancers
• Heart disease
• Organ damage, particularly to the liver

Mental Health Impacts

Dr. Evan Wood, addiction medicine specialist at the University of British Columbia, emphasizes that alcohol significantly harms mental health by increasing rates of depression and anxiety, which may lead to self-harm.

Rising Incidence of Liver Disease

Research published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology shows that serious liver scarring rates have more than doubled over the past 20 years among heavy drinkers, with a demographic shift including older adults and women.

Guidelines and Standards for Alcohol Consumption

Recommended Limits

1. The Canadian Centre for Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) 2023 guidelines recommend no more than one to two standard drinks per week to avoid serious health consequences.
2. Health Canada advises women to consume no more than two standard drinks per day (up to 10 per week) and men no more than three per day (up to 15 per week).

Definition of a Standard Drink

• 341 ml (12 oz.) bottle of beer or cider at 5% alcohol
• 142 ml (5 oz.) glass of wine
• 43 ml (1.5 oz.) of hard liquor

Challenges in Alcohol Content Awareness

Many alcoholic beverages, including certain wines, beers, and canned pre-mixed cocktails, contain higher alcohol percentages than standard drinks, potentially misleading consumers about their actual intake.

Impact of Alcohol Availability

Increased convenience of alcohol purchase, such as sales in grocery stores, correlates with higher alcohol use and associated disorders, leading to predictable increases in alcohol-related harms including motor vehicle accidents and alcohol use disorders.

Positive Trends and Recommendations

Long-Term Decline in Alcohol Use

Despite recent increases in heavy drinking, there has been an overall decline in alcohol consumption over nearly 50 years of CAMH data. The percentage of adults reporting alcohol use in the past 12 months dropped to 76.2% in 2025, the lowest since 1977.

Encouraging Healthier Behaviors

• Reducing reliance on alcohol for socializing and stress management.
• Promoting physical activity to support mental health.
• Engaging in alcohol-free social activities such as walks, games nights, or movies.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Addressing harmful alcohol use contributes to reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases.
• Improving mental health outcomes by mitigating alcohol-related depression and anxiety.
• Reducing the burden of liver disease and other alcohol-related health conditions.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Promoting awareness of alcohol content and encouraging responsible drinking aligns with sustainable consumption patterns.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Collaboration among health agencies, policymakers, and communities is essential to implement effective alcohol control measures and public health interventions.

Conclusion

The recent CAMH report highlights complex trends in alcohol consumption in Canada, with increased heavy drinking despite a long-term decline in overall use. Addressing these challenges requires integrated strategies that promote health, responsible consumption, and community engagement, thereby supporting multiple Sustainable Development Goals. Continued monitoring and public education are vital to reduce alcohol-related harms and foster healthier Canadian communities.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article discusses alcohol consumption and its impact on physical and mental health, including risks such as cancer, heart disease, liver damage, depression, and anxiety.
   • It highlights the need to reduce harmful alcohol use and improve mental health outcomes.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The article touches on alcohol consumption patterns and the importance of guidelines for low-risk drinking.
   • It also mentions the misleading nature of alcohol labeling and the availability of alcoholic beverages.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article notes gender differences in drinking habits, with men drinking more frequently and engaging more in binge drinking than women.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Prevalence of Alcohol Consumption
   • Percentage of adults who have consumed alcohol in the past 12 months (e.g., 76.2% in 2025).
   • Frequency of alcohol consumption (daily, weekly, monthly).
2. Binge Drinking Rates
   • Percentage of adults engaging in binge drinking (five or more drinks on a single occasion at least once per week), e.g., 13.7% of men and 5.8% of women.
3. Health Outcomes Related to Alcohol Use
   • Incidence rates of alcohol-related diseases such as liver scarring, cancers, heart disease.
   • Mental health indicators including rates of depression, anxiety, and self-harm linked to alcohol use.
4. Alcohol Consumption Guidelines Compliance
   • Percentage of population adhering to low-risk drinking guidelines (e.g., no more than 1-2 standard drinks per day/week).
5. Gender Disaggregated Data
   • Differences in alcohol consumption and binge drinking rates between men and women.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: cbc.ca