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There are numerous benefits of abstaining from alcohol, even if it’s just for a period of time—the longer the break, the better. The first steps to exploring being sober curious can be jumping on the Dry January trend. If you’re interested in the book that started it all, check out “Sober Curious” by Ruby Warrington, who spearheaded the movement to reevaluate our relationship with alcohol.
What Does it Mean to Be Sober Curious?
- It’s a growing movement reflecting a shift in how people think about their relationship with alcohol.
- How you structure your “sober curious” journey matters less than what you get out of it.
- This is mainly due to your improved sleep cycles and your hydration status.
In the United States, Gen Zers report a 60% alcohol consumption rate, which is lower than the 70% rate among those aged 35 to 54, and 52% among Baby Boomers. In a culture increasingly valuing authenticity and emotional intelligence, many are finding that alcohol hinders genuine connections. Being sober curious can be a way to experience life fully—without the numbing or escapism alcohol can bring. Younger generations, especially Gen Z and Millennials, are drinking less than previous generations.
It’s driven by a myriad of factors from health consciousness, to evolving attitudes towards the drinking culture that dominates social scenes, to aspiring for more authentic, less alcohol-influenced connections with people. If you’re considering a sober curious lifestyle but aren’t sure where to start, or if you’re struggling with alcohol use and want to make a lasting change, First City Recovery can help. Our approach to recovery is holistic, addressing not just the physical aspects of sobriety, but also the mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of well-being.
There are many non-alcholic beers, wines, and spirits to replace (or temporarily substitute) your favorite boozy beverages. You can try functional beverages (like kombucha) or drinks that maintain the same bespoke feeling as a cocktail without (or with less) alcohol. Given the social aspect of drinking, it might be challenging to break away from alcohol in group settings, but there are things you can do to ease the burden. Biological aging can have an effect on every organ, but the most obvious to the eye is the skin, which is your largest organ. Individuals who consume alcohol may have skin that looks dry and wrinkled, similar to sun damage. This is because alcohol reduces collagen and elastin production, which results in saggy, dull, and wrinkled skin because the cells cannot repair themselves.
An increase in “dry” months
Numerous studies have researched the ways in which alcohol disrupts our sleeping patterns. Generally, while alcohol can have a sedative effect at first, helping you fall asleep, it typically results in poor quality of sleep. Participants in Dry January or other temporary sober periods noticed an increase in their quality of sleep. In a 2019 survey cited in the advisory, just 45% of Americans said they were aware alcohol was a risk factor for cancer, compared to 91% for radiation exposure, 89% for tobacco use, 81% for asbestos exposure and 53% for obesity. The demand for non-alcoholic beverages has surged, leading to a robust growth in the no/low-alcohol market. Projections indicate a 25% growth in this sector between 2022 and 2026, emphasizing moderation over outright abstention.
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Set clear, realistic goals about what you hope to achieve, whether it’s better health, increased savings, or improving relationships. Decide on alcohol-free days or limiting the number of drinks you have on certain occasions. Track your progress and feelings in a journal to see the changes and motivate yourself to continue.
Wellness Topics
Research from international contexts, primarily in the United Kingdom and Australia, has found that TAAC participants may be motivated by concerns about the effects of alcohol on their health. Many of these TAAC participants report benefits, such as positive effects on sleep, weight, and self-rated health, and reduced levels of alcohol consumption following a TAAC. This trend signifies a cultural shift away from traditional practices, questioning deep-rooted social heroin addiction norms about alcohol. Unlike abstinence-focused recovery approaches, sober curiosity promotes intentional, mindful drinking habits as opposed to total sobriety. It’s often tagged on to new commitments or contrived resolutions like “Dry January.”
For some people, the sober curious journey helps them realize that alcohol is affecting their health, prompting them to seek addiction treatment for a healthier, alcohol-free life. Those with a dependance on alcohol should detox at a medically supervised detox program and explore professional treatment at a licensed addiction treatment facility. Treatment can reduce your risk of experiencing dangerous alcohol withdrawal symptoms and provide a safe space to explore sobriety. If you’re ready to learn more, contact a treatment provider today to explore your rehab options. One way to get sober curious is to fill your calendar with activities that don’t revolve around alcohol or having an alternative when they do.
- “One strategy I like is having a ‘fake drink’ in hand – like a soda water and lime, for example – which makes it feel like I’m still a part of the group, but I’m not actually drinking.
- Knowing your reasons to drink and not to drink will help you find the resolve and real-time awareness to help meet your goals.
- When applied to a sober curious lifestyle, mindfulness can help you recognize triggers for drinking, manage cravings, and make more intentional choices about alcohol.
- This trend, first observed in North America in the early 2000s, has since become a global phenomenon.
- Whether you decide to abstain completely, cut back significantly, or simply become more mindful of your drinking, embracing sober curiosity is a courageous and rewarding journey toward a more intentional life.
Maybe the reasons you drank—anxiety, trauma, loneliness—start bubbling up. For others looking to switch up what they sip and start dipping their toe into the sober curious journey, Sheinbaum emphasized how easy it is to do at home. Taking a break from alcohol for a certain length of time is also a good way to evaluate how your body feels without alcohol.
- Yes, for some people, exploring sobriety through the sober curious lens may lead them to recognize unhealthy drinking habits and seek professional addiction treatment.
- Social media is one of the most significant drivers of Gen Z’s drinking patterns.
- The next step is to think about what being sober curious might mean in your life.
- Stepping back from regular drinking might also involve making different choices about how you spend your time.
- It’s important to communicate that this decision is personal and centered around your own health and happiness.
- From tailgating at sporting events and celebrating weddings to attending happy hours and networking events, we celebrate many of life’s greatest events with champagne, wine, beer, and cocktails.
While alcohol may make you feel drowsy initially, it disrupts the sleep cycle and prevents you from reaching the deeper stages of sleep your body needs to recharge. By reducing alcohol intake, many people find that their sleep improves, leading to more energy and a better mood. Gen Z is more open than older generations about mental health struggles, from anxiety to depression. They notice how alcohol worsens symptoms—either in the moment or during hangovers.
Many people who try living soberly report seeing improvements in their physical health—whether that’s losing weight, feeling more energetic, or simply feeling better day-to-day. The rise of the sober curious movement coincides with a broader shift in how people view health, wellness, and mindfulness. There’s been growing awareness about the importance of mental and physical well-being, and alcohol often doesn’t fit into that picture. As people start to prioritize their health, many are realizing that alcohol isn’t always a necessary part of socializing, enjoying life, or having fun. Dating and social occasions can sometimes feel a bit different when you’re sober curious. Be upfront about your lifestyle choices early in relationships to ensure compatibility and mutual respect.
The most helpful activities are often ones that you know provide meaning, enjoyment, or a sense of mastery. These help boost mood and focus your attention away from urges to drink. “The goal is not to isolate and to socialize in environments where there is no temptation to drink because alcohol is not served or part of the equation,” explains Hafeez. For example, if you value being an effective and helpful employee at work, how does alcohol get in the way of that? You might notice that alcohol negatively affects your sleep and leads to fatigue the next day, which impacts your performance at work. When you remove alcohol from your life for a designated period of time, you can better understand the role it plays in your life and how significant it is for you.
One of the joys of the sober curious lifestyle is discovering the wide range of alcohol-free alternatives available today. Whether you’re at a social event, dining out, or relaxing at home, there are plenty of delicious and satisfying options that don’t involve alcohol. Socially, the benefits of a sober curious lifestyle include more meaningful connections and the ability to engage fully in social interactions without the influence of alcohol. Many people find that they enjoy socializing more when they are fully present, and they appreciate the ability to remember and cherish their experiences without the haze of alcohol. Under certain conditions, alcohol can negatively affect our bodies and personal relationships. However, in today’s culture, drinking alcohol is often encouraged in social settings, which can lead to becoming reliant on it and, in some cases, dependent on it.