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Guidelines on Alcohol Consumption: Recommendations from Santé publique France

Current health recommendations regarding alcohol consumption are little known and rarely followed. The strategies French people use to control their drinking are not based on health considerations. Immediate physical sensations are used as a signal to cut back on drinking. Motivations for controlling consumption are primarily linked to whether or not one needs to drive a vehicle, the person’s level of fatigue, the desire not to look bad or appear vulnerable, having an upcoming professional or academic “commitment,” overall lifestyle (weight for women and exercise for young men), and the state of one’s bank account. This means that it is not enough to establish guidelines; one must also strive to make them known and explain the objectives they aim to achieve.The goal is to reduce the health risks associated with alcohol consumption over the course of a lifetime, which increase with the amount consumed: - in the long term, alcohol consumption is a cause of morbidity and mortality for certain chronic or cardiovascular diseases such as cirrhosis, hypertension (HTN), and stroke, certain cancers (cancers of the aerodigestive tract, liver, and breast), - in the short term, alcohol consumption is responsible for intentional and unintentional injuries, including accidents that can cause injury (and death in some cases), poor judgment in risky situations, and loss of self-control. This is particularly true in cases of heavy episodic drinking.When consuming alcohol, the following is recommended to limit lifetime health risks for both men and women: - Do not consume more than 10 standard drinks per week and no more than 2 standard drinks per day, - Have alcohol-free days during the week.- And for each occasion of drinking, it is recommended to: - reduce the total amount of alcohol consumed, - drink slowly, while eating and alternating with water, - avoid risky places and activities after drinking, - ensure that there are loved ones who have not consumed alcohol nearby so that you can return home safely.For women planning to become pregnant, who are pregnant, or who are breastfeeding, the safest option is to avoid alcohol entirely to minimize risks to their health and that of their newborn or unborn child. Similarly, to minimize health risks for young people and adolescents, the safest option is to avoid alcohol entirely.