Managing alcohol use: Understanding updated recommendations

Harmful use of alcohol contributed to 17,000 deaths in Canada in 2020, with an estimated $6.3 billion spent that year on healthcare cost related to alcohol use. However, patients may be misinformed about the risks associated with alcohol use, how to reduce risk, or unaware of the first-line treatments available for alcohol use disorder. Family doctors often provide advice on reducing harms associated with alcohol use and need to be well-versed with the latest available information. In this session, panel highlights the new evidence in the Canadian guideline on the management of alcohol use disorder, the tools needed to counsel patients on the risks of alcohol consumption and the available evidence-based treatments. The Practising Well Community of Practice has been certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Ontario Chapter for up to 1 Mainpro+Ⓡcredits. This Community of Practice includes a series of planned webinars. Each session is worth 1 Mainpro+Ⓡcredits, for up to a total of 12 credits. Panelists: Jennifer Wyman Alexander Caudarella Co-host: Carrie Bernard, Family Physician Queen Square FHT, Continuing Professional Development and Partnerships Lead, Division of Mental Health & Addictions DFCM, Assistant Professor DFCM University of Toronto, Assistant Clinical Professor DFM McMaster University Moderator: Stephanie Zhou, Addictions Medicine Physician and EDI & Social Accountability Lead, Sunnybrook Hospital; FHO Lead, Don Mills FHT; Assistant Professor, University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine; Board Director, Toronto Public Health, Toronto, ON This session originally took place on April 17, 2024. A recording can be viewed here.