Addressing AUD isn’t just a healthcare issue—it’s a community wide responsibility.

We work with local organizations and community leaders to tackle the social and environmental factors that shape alcohol use. Through grassroots initiatives, we’re helping to build healthier, more informed communities.

Our goals are simple:

1. Raise awareness that AUD is a treatable condition.
2. Support access to care options.
3. Create a healthier drinking culture.

Here’s how we’re making an impact:

  • Knowledge is Key - Communities are provided new knowledge that challenges outdated misconceptions about alcohol use, breaks down stigma around AUD, and reinforces that AUD is a health condition—not a personal failing—with recovery possible for nearly everyone.

  • Expanding Access to Care – Efforts are made to ensure individuals can access a wide range of care options—including early intervention, treatment, and aftercare supports—that are culturally appropriate, trauma-informed, and evidence-based.

  • Awareness & Prevention – Social marketing campaigns spark conversations that help people reflect on their drinking patterns, reduce alcohol-related harms, and make informed choices about their alcohol use.

Why Community Matters

  • Social Influence

    People trust advice from family, friends, and colleagues. Your support encourages help-seeking and builds trust.

  • Supportive Spaces

    Knowledge and compassion reduce stigma, fostering open, safe conversations for those in recovery or cutting back.

  • Shared Responsibility

    Together, we shape the social environment—families, friends, and workplaces influence norms, fostering healthier drinking habits.

The ‘Rethinking Drinking’ Community Project

The Rethinking Drinking program is a grassroots, community-led initiative designed to reduce alcohol-related harms by empowering communities to address alcohol use in ways that meet their unique needs.

CAUDS provides funding to support community events and local initiatives aimed at raising awareness about AUD, encouraging people to seek care, and helping to shift the cultural conversation around alcohol.

If you’re interested in bringing our community engagement program to your area, reach out to us today to discuss how we can work together to create a more supportive environment and healthier community.

  • How does the 'Rethinking Drinking' community engagement program work?

    1. Getting Organized
      Start by attending an orientation session to learn about alcohol use disorder and the treatment options available in your community. We’ll review the program details, including activities, budgeting, resources, and supports, while discussing your community's needs and how to administer the program.

    2. Hosting Activities

      • Leaders Workshop & Community Conversation: Invite a diverse group of community leaders for an educational session on AUD, followed by a conversation on opportunities and barriers to support those with AUD.

      • Action Group & Activities: After the workshop, form an action group to choose and plan three community activities from a list or create your own to raise awareness about AUD.

    3. Host Community Events
      Use guides and supports to host at least three AUD awareness activities, tailored to your community.

    4. Wrap-Up & Reporting
      Document your activities, gather feedback from attendees, and share stories and photos. Finally, share your experiences with a new community starting the program and complete the funding documentation and program plan for final reporting.

  • Organization Eligibility Criteria
    To be eligible for the program, your organization must:

    • Be a registered charity, non-profit, or social enterprise.

    • Work in the community, ideally with experience assisting those impacted by alcohol use disorder, either directly or indirectly.

    • Demonstrate collaboration and the ability to bring together community leaders and service providers.

    Grant Information
    Eligible organizations may receive:

    • $15,000 total to deliver the program.

    • Grant can be used towards existing programs, however, applicants must show how the grant will deepen and strengthen the existing work with new initiatives.

    Timeframe
    The program should be completed within one calendar year and includes the following key events:

    • Orientation Session

    • Leaders Workshop and Community Conversation

    • Three additional activities of your choice.

  • This program brings communities together to challenge alcohol-related norms and promote healthier choices through creative and engaging events. Here are a few examples of how the program has worked in different areas:

    • Princeton: A community-wide mocktail competition in the town square, where locals vote on their favorite non-alcoholic drinks, with winning recipes adapted by local businesses.

    • Penticton: The screening of an AUD documentary at a local theatre, followed by a Q&A and panel discussion with local health experts to spark conversation and awareness.

    • Oliver: Providing water and non-alcoholic options at a wine festival, helping attendees explore alternatives in a social setting.

    • Campbell River: A play written by two friends with lived experience, showcasing the challenges and victories of recovery, offering a powerful way to connect with the community on a personal level.

    These events all helped raise awareness, encouraged access to care, and fostered a culture where healthier drinking habits and recovery are supported and celebrated.

  • In a society where alcohol is embedded in everyday life, social norms and values shape how we perceive and interact with alcohol. These shared expectations impact not only individual decisions but also influence the cultural environment, making alcohol-related harms a broader community issue.

    Rooted in the understanding that health is influenced by social, economic, and environmental factors, this project aims to spread knowledge, encourage access to care, and create healthier attitudes toward drinking through informative events and engaging conversations around alcohol use.

CAUDS is currently partnering with the following communities across BC:

  • South Okanagan

  • Campbell River

Item 1 of 8
Read More About Our Communities

Collective action is critical because cultural norms around alcohol are deeply ingrained and require a unified effort to shift.

Ways You Can Get Involved Today

  • Spread the Word

    Help others understand that AUD is not a moral failing or weakness of character, but a treatable health condition, like hypertension or diabetes, with a variety of treatments available to those affected.

  • Create a Safe Space

    Offer non-alcoholic alternatives at gatherings and avoid centering social activities exclusively around drinking. These small changes can make people who are recovering from AUD, reducing their intake, or simply choosing not to drink feel more welcome and included.

  • Support Local Initiatives

    Participate in or support community-led projects focused on health awareness, harm prevention, and support services. Advocate for programs that provide education and reduce alcohol-related incidents.