Alcohol Use Disorder:
A Treatable Health Condition Too Often Overlooked
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is one of the most common—but least recognized—health conditions in Canada. Nearly 1 in 5 Canadians will experience AUD in their lifetime, yet fewer than 5% of those who could benefit ever receive effective, evidence-based treatment. In British Columbia alone, the annual health system cost linked to AUD is estimated at more than $785 million.
For years, medical care in Canada failed to reflect what science had long confirmed: AUD is a treatable medical condition, not a moral failing. There are effective medications and care models that can support recovery for most people.
Family physician Dr. Jeff Harries, based in Penticton, was among the first in BC to put this knowledge into action. By combining medications with a compassionate, patient-centered approach, he saw significant improvements in his patients’ lives. But in 2017, at a national health conference, he was struck by a troubling realization: most of his peers had never been taught about these tools.
In response, Jeff began a nationwide effort to share what he had learned. Over the next several years, he presented to thousands of clinicians, policymakers, and community leaders. He helped create BC’s clinical guidelines for AUD, influenced care pathways in emergency settings, contributed to prescribing tools and research, and worked tirelessly to shift public perceptions.
His efforts led to the founding of the Canadian Alcohol Use Disorder Society (CAUDS) in 2020. Jeff passed away from ALS in 2021, but CAUDS continues to carry forward his mission: to expand access to compassionate, evidence-based care for all Canadians.
How CAUDS Works
1. Supporting People with Lived Experience
CAUDS works in partnership with people who have lived and living experience of AUD. Together, we co-develop resources that help individuals and families understand the condition and access effective treatments. Our website offers personal stories, educational videos, and downloadable guides that provide hope and practical support.
2. Engaging Health Practitioners
We equip primary care teams with the skills and tools they need to deliver effective AUD care.
- The APPLAUD Action Series (Approaches and Pharmacotherapies for Patients Living with AUD) is a CME-accredited learning program co-led with Health Quality BC. It provides practical strategies for screening, prescribing, patient communication, and referral pathways. Since 2024, APPLAUD has reached over 50 care teams across all BC health regions, including First Nations Health Authority-supported sites.
- Our Medication Selection Tool distills national prescribing guidelines into a fast, user-friendly format, helping clinicians make clear, tailored treatment decisions.
3. Advancing Knowledge & Policy
CAUDS collaborates with leading organizations—including the BC Centre on Substance Use, Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, Health Excellence Canada, CISUR, and CAPE—to promote science-informed care and influence policy.
4. Empowering Communities
We support locally-led efforts to reshape how communities relate to alcohol. Each year-long initiative begins with a public workshop, followed by action teams that deliver awareness campaigns and events. These grassroots efforts aim to raise awareness of AUD as a health condition, improve access to treatment, and promote healthier norms and more informed culture around alcohol use. Communities engaged so far include Princeton, South Okanagan, Kamloops, Campbell River, Prince George, Nanaimo, and the Comox Valley—with more to come.
Whatever your connection to alcohol—whether you’re supporting a loved one, providing care, or navigating your own journey—CAUDS exists to help you find what works. Visit www.cauds.org to access tools, stories, and ways to get involved
