[Assessment of recommendations for low-risk use of alcohol, cannabis, gambling and gaming: state of knowledge]

From a public health perspective, the provision of information on low-risk consumption is highly relevant for behavior with addictive potential and negative health, psychological or social consequences. This article provides an overview of the effectiveness and benefits of such recommendations for alcohol, cannabis, gambling and gaming.

An overview based on a narrative review.

The recommendation for alcohol consumption limits can no longer be upheld on the basis of current evidence. Instead, abstinence is recommended. In the case of cannabis, it is currently not possible to determine thresholds for the frequency and quantity of use with regard to consequential harms. Current recommendations, therefore, relate to "safer use". With respect to gambling, initial but not yet reliable empirical data are available. Thresholds of varying consumption dimensions, such as the involvement in different forms of gambling, the regularity or duration of gambling as well as the amount of money spent, must be taken into account. There are no evidence-based consumption recommendations for gaming. Furthermore, a consideration of the media content that goes beyond pure usage time is essential before any recommendations can be derived. Overall, the effectiveness of recommendations depends on the perception and acceptance of the population.

Recommendations for consumption are based on the available evidence and must be continuously reviewed and adapted, as can be seen from the example of alcohol consumption. Behavioral recommendations must be communicated in a suitable form so that they are understood without bias and are accepted by the general population.