Some Nova Scotians are embracing sober parties. Here’s why | 24CA News
Jonathan Kanary of Sydney, N.S., works in occasion manufacturing by day and takes on DJ duties at night time at Cape Breton sober events.
“Growing up, alcohol was always encouraged. Everybody drank and I really think that’s kind of changing. I think people are being more mindful of it now,” he advised CBC.
He says these occasions take the stress off non-drinkers, who usually really feel compelled to drink at events, whereas giving them an opportunity to socialize and have enjoyable. Kanary, who’s in restoration from alcohol use, helped throw a current sober occasion in Sydney and greater than 100 folks got here by way of the door.
“Last weekend the dance floor was absolutely packed all night, so I don’t think anybody has a problem getting up and having a good time without alcohol,” mentioned Kanary.
“I think it’s important to not only cater to persons who are in recovery, but to cater to people who are more mindful, and I really feel that people are becoming more involved with events for the entertainment aspect, not just because it’s a good time to go and get drunk,” he mentioned.
Another group, UNtoxicated Queers in Halifax, additionally had success final weekend at their first sober vacation occasion held in collaboration with Sober City.
Liane Khoury is a well being promoter at Mental Health and Addictions for Nova Scotia Health and helped discovered UNtoxicated Queers. The group helps folks within the queer neighborhood to expertise sobriety utilizing a harm-reduction mannequin, which inspires practising much less addictive behaviours as an alternative of full abstinence.
Khoury extra folks need to keep sober as of late, herself included.
“I wasn’t feeling that part of always wanting to drink, it was exhausting on my body, and I feel like it’s also for health reasons. I’m not young anymore. I can’t handle, you know, waking up and having a two-day hangover,” she mentioned in a cellphone interview.
So far this 12 months, Kanary has held 12 non-public sober events. Both he and Khoury say they plan to have much more within the new 12 months.
Kanary, who’s initially from Glace Bay, says socializing in Cape Breton hasn’t historically been conducive to sobriety, however that’s slowly altering.
“Typically going to bars around here you are encouraged to drink by staff or the venue or what have you, so not feeling that pressure in public [at a sober party] is really beneficial to the environment,” Kanary mentioned.
And there are extra alcohol-free choices popping up that concentrate on high quality, he provides. Island Folk Cider House in Sydney makes their very own alcohol-free cider. Breton Brewing additionally sells alcohol-free beer and a brand new seasonal brew with a low alcohol proportion marketed as “light on alcohol but big on flavour.”
“I think people enjoy variety and people don’t necessarily just want to drink a sugary beverage when they go out… I know when I stopped drinking, I was more conscious of my health all around. So drinking things like pop or coffee at 11 o’clock at night was not an option for me,” Kanary mentioned.
He personally doesn’t discover the vacation season troublesome with regards to his sober selections, however some folks do.
“If that’s the case, I recommend having some support,” he mentioned.
Khoury mentioned she’d wish to see that help coming from eating places and bars within the type of extra mocktail choices at eating places.
Having the braveness to say no can also be essential, Khoury mentioned, “and if you want an excuse, always have something like a bottle of water or a can of pop in your hands and be like, ‘no.'”
Having extra conversations round alcohol, sobriety and why or why not you is perhaps consuming can also be essential, Khoury mentioned, particularly across the holidays when there’s extra stress to drink.
“So changing the narrative of having alcohol as the main focus of the party is important. I think the main focus should be us hanging out with each other and having community,” she mentioned.
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