6. Alcohol and wellbeing at events
By Dr Rosie Allister FRCVS (Vetlife)
The decision whether to serve alcohol at conferences or events involves weighing risks and benefits. It is traditional and may be expected by attendees in some industry settings for alcohol to be available – for example, conference dinners or ‘happy hours’.
Alcohol being available at conferences and events can be perceived to have benefits. It may promote socialisation and social connection and encourage informal relaxed environments that support relationship-building.
There are also risks to serving alcohol. Legal and liability risks are not within the scope of this guide but include considerations around licensing. From a wellbeing perspective, alcohol-induced behaviour at conferences may be disruptive or inappropriate. There may be a range of safety risks if people are intoxicated.
Attendees may also choose not to drink due to health, personal or religious reasons. The exclusion of non-drinkers due to social pressures around alcohol consumption could mean events focussed around alcohol alienate those who are non-drinkers. If events including alcohol are a core part of the meeting this may make an event non-inclusive.
Alcohol can negatively affect mental health, particularly for people with previous harmful alcohol use or for some people with mental health conditions.
Wellbeing considerations around alcohol for conference and event organisers
If serving alcohol:
Choice:
- Offer high-quality non-alcohol options; wherever alcohol is available at the event avoid having only water or fruit juice.
- Ensure non-alcoholic options are presented in a similar fashion to alcoholic options, for those attendees who may not be comfortable with others knowing that they are abstaining from drinking alcohol.
Coordination
- Ensure staff have received training on how to handle issues related to intoxication, including safety issues.
Communication
- Ensure events involving alcohol are advertised clearly so attendees who wish to avoid these for health, personal or religious reasons, can do so. Ensure that non-alcohol drinks are made available at events and that this is communicated in any promotions and advertising.
Minimising harms
- Have policies around alcohol provision that encourage moderation and responsible drinking to minimise harms associated with overconsumption.
Safety
- Develop clear emergency protocols for staff to follow if they need to intervene with an attendee who may be intoxicated or distressed. Ensure safe transport options are clearly communicated and available to all attendees.
Inclusion
- Ensure that not all social or networking events are centred around alcohol.
- Respect personal choice. Attendees should never feel pressured to drink.