Trends in alcohol consumption and high risk drinking in Ontario, 1996-2006; Dimensions and implications

Since the mid-1990s per capita alcoholic beverage sales have been increasing in Ontario and throughout Canada, as has the percent drinking in a high-risk manner (5+/occasion at least monthly). Furthermore, the percent of Ontario adults reporting drinking 5+/occasion at least weekly increased from 7% to 12% in one year (1995-1996). This presentation focuses on the dimensions of these changes, drawing on archival data and 11 surveys (1996 to 2006) involving: representative samples of Ontarians aged 18 and older, stratified samples by region, random digit dialing, response rates between 58-69%, and annual average N of 2,508 (total 27,594). Over 11 years, the increase in average drinks per week is greater among women than men, and greater among 18-29 and 40-49 year cohorts than other cohorts. Also, increases in average drinks per week were evident in three groups: those who drank weekly/not 5+, 5+/not weekly, and 5+/weekly, with the greatest change in the first group. Further analysis for presentation will examine: trends in depth by age, gender, SES and drinking pattern; changes in percent of total alcohol represented by drinkers with different volume/frequency patterns; and trends in drinking and driving incidents. Several changes in alcohol management may have contributed to these developments: e.g., increase in outlet density, decline in real prices of alcoholic beverages, and an increase in alcohol marketing. The implications of these changes for overall consumption, high risk drinking and damage from alcohol will be discussed, and challenges and opportunities for a more effective and precautionary alcohol management system outlined.