From abstinence to ‘grey-area drinking,’ why alcohol habits aren’t a black-and-white issue [Video]

It’s a new year, and some Canadians are embarking on Dry January, following a holiday season replete with toasts and tipples. But author and journalist Maureen Palmer and her partner Mike Pond believe the ways we think about problem drinking could do more harm than good.

For example, is abstinence the only acceptable goal for every person who drinks too much? If one relapses, does that mean they’ve failed, and previous progress should be discounted?

According to Palmer, a person’s relationship with alcohol is far more nuanced than a simple question of whether they’re an alcoholic or not. And some experts say that understanding the grey area between the two might offer better solutions for some.

• On today’s episode, Cross Country Checkup is asking: Is it time to put cancer warnings on beer, wine and liquor? Are you rethinking how much you drink? Fill out this formand you could appear on …