The first-ever Canadian guideline for treating high-risk drinking and alcohol use disorder was published October 2023.

Developed in partnership between the Canadian Research Initiative on Substance Misuse (CRISM) and BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU), the guideline provides 15 evidence-based recommendations to reduce harms associated with high-risk drinking and to support people’s treatment and recovery from alcohol use disorder.

The guideline provides recommendations for the clinical management of high-risk drinking and alcohol use disorder to support primary healthcare providers to implement evidence-based screening and treatment interventions.

Developed by a 36-member committee, the guideline is based on the latest evidence, expert consensus, lived/living experience as well as clinical experience from across Canada. It makes recommendations for care providers about how to ask about alcohol, diagnose alcohol use disorder, manage alcohol withdrawal, and create treatment plans based on the individual’s goals.

This initiative was funded by a contribution from Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada.
Cette initiative a été financée par une contribution du Programme sur l’usage et les dépendances aux substances (PUDS) de Santé Canada.  Les opinions exprimées ici ne reflètent pas nécessairement celles de Santé Canada.
GUIDELINE (Eng)

Recommendations at a glance

Recommendations cliniques

A synopsis of the Guideline was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) on October 16, 2023: https://www.cmaj.ca/content/195/40/E1364

Supplemental Materials

New website with resources for the public and clinicians: www.helpwithdrinking.ca

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