‘Forced into sobriety’: Liquor Mart closures spark concerns about alcohol withdrawal

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This article was published 09/08/2023 (763 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The mass closures of most Liquor Marts across the province are sparking concerns that limited access to alcohol could impact Manitobans dealing with addiction.

Only seven Liquor Marts are open across Manitoba after the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union, which represents store workers, launched a provincewide strike Tuesday morning.

A Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries spokesperson said the Crown corporation choose to keep open Liquor Marts in downtown Winnipeg, at Hargrave Street and Ellice Avenue, and Thompson, in part, because of alcohol addiction impacting those communities.

“The removal of a safe source of beverage alcohol can have a greater consequence for them,” the spokesperson said. “This is why we have committed to keeping those retail locations operational at this time.”

One Winnipegger, who suffers from addiction but didn’t want to give their name, said they were concerned the closures would force some into alcohol withdrawal.

“I have been in a position where I needed more but couldn’t get more and that resulted in withdrawal,” the Winnipegger wrote in an email to the Free Press. “I would not be surprised if (emergency rooms) see a rise in alcohol withdrawal cases if the strike continues on for (an) extended period of time.”

While beer vendors remain open across the city, the alcohol content may not be sufficient for some who normally rely on hard liquor, they added.

“I just couldn’t imagine being in the middle of a bad binge and then being relatively forced into sobriety,” the person wrote. “For some, maybe this could be the start of their recovery, but for some it might result in death as a result of the withdrawals.”

Dr. Em Pijl, an assistant professor at the University of Manitoba’s College of Nursing, said a “cold turkey” approach to quitting alcohol can have severe — even fatal — consequences.

“Coming off of alcohol is one of the more dangerous detoxes and it requires medical supervision,” Pijl said in an email to the Free Press. “With LC supply being cut off, people will likely turn to non-beverage alcohol, which is also increasingly unavailable… and also makes people very sick.”

With the exception of Thompson and Brandon, all rural Liquor Marts are closed, including the store in Morden.

Mayor Brandon Burley expressed “serious concern” about how the closures will impact people with addiction, should the strike drag on.

“There doesn’t seem to be a strategy for ensuring the well-being of those individuals who may otherwise go into serious withdrawal without access,” Burley said. “While those situations are tragic scenarios and cases, they have to be addressed appropriately.”

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Main Street Project declined to comment on whether it’s received an increase in alcohol-related calls since Liquor Marts began closing.

A spokesperson for Shared Health said there has not been an increase in requests for services related to alcohol withdrawal at city hospitals, Winnipeg RAAM clinics or the Manitoba Addictions Helpline.

Only seven out of 11 medical withdrawal management beds at Health Sciences Centre are occupied, the spokesperson said. “However, withdrawal can be safely managed in other units or sites with appropriate medical supervision, regardless of bed designation,” they added.

Individuals experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms are encouraged to call 911 or visit an emergency room. People seeking help with alcohol addiction may call or text the Manitoba Addictions Helpline at ​​1-855-662-6605 to be put in touch with a trained counsellor.

cierra.bettens@freepress.mb.ca