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When we think about lifestyle and health, we often focus on what we should be adding to our lives: nourishing food, movement, restorative sleep and meaningful connections.

But Lifestyle Medicine also asks us to consider what we can reduce or avoid.

Avoiding risky substances, including alcohol, is a core pillar of Lifestyle Medicine. The focus is on upstream prevention—reducing exposures that can contribute to chronic disease and undermine other healthy lifestyle habits, rather than waiting until health problems develop and then treating them[1].

For alcohol, this is an increasingly important conversation.

Alcohol and health: what does the evidence tell us?

As defined by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning there is clear evidence that it causes cancer[3] . Alcohol use is associated with an increased risk of several cancers, including breast, liver, bowel, oral and throat cancers.

Importantly, when it comes to cancer risk, there is no amount of alcohol that is completely safe. Even relatively low levels of drinking can increase the risk of certain cancers[4].

This is particularly relevant to breast cancer. Women can have an increased risk of breast cancer even with light, regular alcohol consumption, such as one drink a day.

The relationship between alcohol and health extends beyond cancer. Alcohol consumption is associated with a range of chronic health conditions, including liver disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and metabolic problems. Alcohol can also cause short- and long-term cognitive impairment and is associated with mood disorders, dementia, and neurocognitive decline.

There are also more immediate risks. Alcohol can impair sleep, motor skills and decision-making, increasing the risk of injuries, falls and accidents.

So, while alcohol is often discussed in terms of how much someone drinks, Lifestyle Medicine encourages us to also consider the bigger picture: what role is alcohol playing in our health and wellbeing, and what happens when we reduce it?

Alcohol in Australia

Alcohol remains a significant contributor to health and social harms in Australia.

The estimated social cost of alcohol use in Australia was $75.0 billion in 2022–23, projected up from $72.9 billion in 2020–21. The highest projected costs in 2022–23 were associated with early death, illness, sickness, or poor health and workplace-related costs[2].

Alcohol has consistently accounted for a higher number of ambulance attendances, hospitalisations and deaths than any other drug. It is also responsible for a substantial proportion of alcohol-related disease and injury.

Alcohol use contributed to:

• 100% of the burden due to alcohol use disorders
• 39% of the burden due to liver cancer
• 26% of the burden due to road traffic injuries involving motor vehicle occupants
• 20% of the burden due to chronic liver disease
• 13% of the burden due to suicide and self-inflicted injuries
• 11% of the burden due to breast cancer.

More recently, alcohol accounted for almost 3 in 5 drug-related hospitalisations in 2023–24.

And alcohol use is common. The 2022–23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey found that around 1 in 3 Australians aged 14 and over — 31%, or 6.6 million people — consumed alcohol at risky levels according to the adult risk guidelines.
These figures highlight why alcohol deserves a place in conversations about preventive health.

There is no ‘safe’ level when it comes to cancer

A changing drinking culture

There are signs that Australia’s relationship with alcohol is changing.

The purchase of zero-alcohol drinks by Australians has doubled over five years. The growing interest in alcohol-free options reflects, in part, an increasing focus on health and a greater understanding of alcohol’s effects on areas such as mental health, disease risk and cancer.

For some people, choosing a zero-alcohol drink can be a simple way to participate in social occasions without consuming alcohol.

For others, drinking less may involve changing routines, identifying triggers, taking alcohol-free days, or reconsidering the role alcohol plays in their social life.

There is no single approach that works for everyone.

Drinking more mindfully

If you’re curious about your relationship with alcohol, you don’t necessarily need to wait until drinking becomes a major problem before seeking support.

Organisations such as Hello Sunday Morning and Mind the Sip provide resources for people who want to reflect on their drinking and make changes.

For some people, the goal may be to drink less. For others, it may be to stop drinking altogether.

Having a conversation with a healthcare professional can also be a useful place to start. A GP or local health service can help assess your drinking and discuss appropriate support.

If you’re concerned about your drinking

It’s important to know that regular or heavy drinking can make suddenly stopping alcohol dangerous and, in some cases, life-threatening. If you drink regularly or heavily and are considering stopping, seek medical guidance from a GP or medical service rather than stopping abruptly without support.

Medical services, including inpatient withdrawal management units, are available for people who require more intensive support. Emergency medical attention should be sought if someone develops serious symptoms during withdrawal.

Alcohol as a Lifestyle Medicine conversation

Lifestyle Medicine isn’t about perfection. It is about identifying the everyday behaviours and exposures that can influence health and looking for opportunities to reduce preventable risk[7]. Consuming alcohol is one of those exposures.

The evidence shows that alcohol contributes to chronic disease, cognitive and mental health harms, injuries and significant health and social costs in Australia. And when it comes to cancer, there is no completely safe amount of alcohol.

For some people, that information may be the motivation to drink less. For others, it may prompt a conversation with a healthcare professional or encourage them to explore alcohol-free alternatives.

Whatever your starting point, understanding the relationship between alcohol and health is an important part of making informed choices about your wellbeing.

Where to get support

Australian Government alcohol support services
A directory of alcohol support and treatment services is available through the Australian Government Department of Health.

Your GP or local health service
A GP can provide advice about alcohol use, withdrawal and appropriate treatment or referral options.

How to help someone who is misusing drugs or alcohol

Hello Sunday Morning
Resources and support for people wanting to change their relationship with alcohol.

Mind the Sip
Resources for people interested in drinking more mindfully.

SMART Recovery
Is an evidence-based recovery method grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), that supports people with substance dependencies or problem behaviours to lead a balanced life.
If you or someone you care about is concerned about alcohol use, reaching out for professional support is an important first step.

Clean Slate Clinic
An innovative program is designed by professionals to help you detox from alcohol, stimulants or cannabis, safely from home.

If you or someone you care about is concerned about alcohol use, reaching out for professional support is an important first step.