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Here's why one Londoner is calling for more non-alcoholic beer in bars

After battling an alcohol addiction for three decades, Lynn Waldron wants to see more non-alcoholic drink options at bars and restaurants.

Holidays can be tougher for people in recovery, says London woman

Michelle Both · CBC News ·
hands holds drinks at a party
The holidays are a time of year where people tend to overindulge, said Lisa Misselbrook, director of addiction treatment programs at Mission Services of London. (Shutterstock)

Holidays can add extra stress for people recovering from addictions, and one Londoner is calling on bars and restaurants to consider offering non-alcoholic beer options, particularly during the holiday season. 

"I would kind of drink my frustrations and anxiety away over Christmas," said Lynn Waldron, who is three years and three months sober. "It's a little bit tougher because some people can get depressed around the holidays."

After battling an alcohol addiction for three decades, Waldron wants to see more non-alcoholic drink options at bars and restaurants. The taste of the non-alcoholic beer helps her in her recovery, she said. Pop and water don't cut it. 

A woman with tattoos and black-rimmed glasses takes a selfie
Lynn Waldron says non-alcoholic beer has been part of her recovery from an alcohol addictions and wants to see it available at more bars and restaurants in London. (Submitted by Lynn Waldron )

 "Some people don't do that because it reminds them of the taste of the real beer. Whereas with myself, it's actually been saving me the whole time," she said. 

When she's out at concerts, it's often hard to track down non-alcoholic beer, she said. She'll call venues ahead of time to make sure there'll be something available, but it's often not the case. "They just kind of brush you off like it's really no big deal."

Waldron's life has "changed drastically" in the last three years and she's now in a place she wants to help people struggling with alcoholism in any way she can.

"I wasted a good chunk of my life with alcohol abuse," she said. "Once you finally get to that position you've already been in hell, you don't want to go back there. You just drive and keep striving forward."

Non-alcoholic options are more inclusive 

London Brewing Co-operative gets busier over the holidays, said Emma Maganja, the brewery's marketing manager. They see a wide variety of people coming to their taproom to celebrate with friends and family through the season.

They added non-alcoholic options to their menu years ago.

two cans of tonic with floral graphics sit beside a glass jar full of the drink on a bar counter
London Brewing Co-operative brews a non-alcoholic 'booze-less beverage' in partnership with On the Move Organics, a London-based organic grocery delivery company. (Submitted by London Brewing Co-operative )

"We consider ourselves like a neighborhood hub," Maganja said. "We want people to come out with their friends and be able to participate in events even if they don't drink. Whether it was for personal reasons or religious reasons or dietary restrictions, we want them to come and enjoy the space, enjoy the music." 

Craft breweries don't have a great reputation for being inclusive, but a lot of breweries are doing work to change that, she said

While they serve Partake, a non-alcoholic beer brewed in Calgary, they've also launched their own in-house non-alcoholic options, Maganja said. They've had a "robust response" to their made-in-house tonic, Forest City Botanicals.  

Battling addictions adds extra holiday stress

The holidays are a time of year where people tend to overindulge, said Lisa Misselbrook, director of addiction treatment programs at Mission Services of London, who runs Quinton Warner House, a 20-bed addiction treatment centre on York Street.

"People will report higher levels of drinking and things like that during this time of year, which is an obvious trigger for people in addiction recovery," she said. Higher levels of loneliness, depression and anxiety are reported too — which can be impacted by family situations, significant loss and financial strain. 

Mission Services of London operates a 20-bed addiction treatment centre on York Street in London. (Paula Duhatschek/CBC)

"It's also hard when people are out of routine often during the holidays. Support systems change and decrease during this time," she said. They offer 24/7 support to their clients throughout the year and plan lots of activities over the holidays including a Christmas dinner. 

Misselbrook offers some tips for making it through the holidays if you're facing addictions: 

  • Stick to routine as closely as possible. Keep up with physical exercise, healthy eating, mindfulness activities and a healthy sleep schedule.

  • Stay connected to social supports. Be mindful of where you're going and who you're spending time with. Make a plan for triggers that might come up. 

  • Identify what support you could call if you are in crisis or need support.

"The more regulated we feel, the better we can cope with stresses," Misselbrook said. 

Addiction supports are available in the London region:
If in crisis, contact Reach Out by calling or texting 519-433-2023 or visiting a walk-in centre.
If you need to talk to someone, call CMHA's supportive listening line at 519-601-8055 or toll-free at 1-844-360-8055.
Connect with more supports from CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michelle Both

Content Producer

Michelle Both is the producer for CBC's Afternoon Drive in London and Windsor. She holds a master's degree in journalism and communication from Western University. You can reach her at michelle.both@cbc.ca.

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