Patterns of Risky Alcohol Use in British Columbia– Results of the 2004 Canadian Addiction Survey

Abstract

Overview • Drinking patterns in BC and Canada were compared against guidelines for low risk alcohol consumption using the 2004 Canadian Addiction Survey (CAS) • The low response rate (44% in BC, 47% in Canada) and other differences prevented valid comparisons with the last national survey in 1994 • The CAS greatly underestimated alcohol consumption, and reported consumption accounted for only 32% to 35% of known alcohol sales in Canada and 30% to 38% of sales in BC (depending on types of survey questions used) • It is likely that the estimates of illicit substance use reported in the CAS would similarly, or even more significantly, under–estimate actual consumption • 73% of all reported alcohol consumption was in excess of Canadian low–risk drinking guidelines and 53% was above less conservative international guidelines • Over 90% of the alcohol consumption reported by males aged 15 to 24 years was consumed in excess of Canadian guidelines and over 85% of that consumed by young females exceeded the guidelines • Just under 30% of males and 14% of females reported regularly drinking at risk levels for short–term and/or long–term harm • 40% of British Columbians at least occasionally drink above low risk levels and put themselves and others at risk of short–term harm • There were very similar levels of at risk drinking across urban, rural and intermediate regions of BC • It is recommended that improved survey methods are employed in the future to assess risky consumption patterns with an emphasis on achieving higher response rates and fuller coverage of known alcohol sales • Detailed statistical tables are available in the Appendix at http://www.silink.ca/Portals/0/Resources/AlcoholBulletin2005App.pdf