For some, bringing your own non-alcoholic beverages can be a helpful strategy, ensuring you have a satisfying alternative to alcohol. If you find it challenging to talk about why you’re not drinking, or drinking less than usual, it can be helpful to think about a response ahead of social events. We have provided some examples in our article Tips for avoiding drinking at events.
Create new habits
- The freedom to drink pints, do shots, and be a ‘loud-mouthed mess’ was an act of rebellion and defiance; a declaration that I wasn’t afraid to take up space.
- By practicing mindfulness, you can develop a deeper understanding of why you drink, how it affects you, and what you truly want from life.
- It’s a shift in the way people and generations are interacting with and thinking about alcohol use.
- As researchers in consumer behaviour, we study the factors that influence and drive changes in consumer choices.
The next step is to think about what being sober curious might mean in your life. For example, it might mean giving up https://ecosober.com/blog/what-is-sober-curious/ alcohol for a period of time, such as participating in Dry January, or it might involve gradually decreasing your alcohol use. It might also mean limiting yourself to a single drink once each week when you are out with friends or replacing your usual cocktail with a non-alcohol option.
What are some benefits from taking a break from drinking?
Before the pandemic, I’d meet people who didn’t drink either because it didn’t agree with their ethical beliefs and religious upbringing, or, occasionally, due to bad experiences with alcohol. Rarely, if ever, did I cross paths with individuals who practiced abstinence, not because it clashed with their principles, but because they preferred the state of sobriety over that of being drunk. But post-2020, I have met a number of people who have opted for sobriety by choice, sans previous negative experiences with drinking. A key part of the sober curious movement is rethinking and reshaping the language we use around alcohol. Words and phrases can carry significant weight and the way we talk about can influence our attitudes and behaviours. For a deeper dive into how language influences our relationship with alcohol, check out our article on ‘The Language Surrounding Alcohol’.
How do you go sober curious?
Sober curious people pay attention to how alcohol affects them physically and mentally. They drink deliberately, with more awareness and consideration, prioritising quality over quantity. It is important to note that, for a person with an alcohol use disorder or a history of destructive behavior surrounding drinking, participation in the Sober Curious movement is not a substitute for professional help. Often referred to as “generation sober,” the millennial generation has embraced sober curious culture and has actually made sobriety more culturally acceptable.
Being sober curious isn’t about strict sobriety or labelling oneself as completely alcohol-free. Instead, it’s a mindful approach to drinking, where individuals question their relationship with alcohol and make intentional choices about when, why and how they drink – or if they drink at all. It’s about stepping back from autopilot behaviours, where alcohol is often consumed out of habit, social expectation or stress relief, and instead considering the role it plays in one’s life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) underlines that excessive alcohol consumption brings along an https://fpfootwear.kr/2024/02/21/understanding-the-sober-curious-movement/ array of health risks, including injury, violence, mental health problems, liver disease, and cancer.
They can also prescribe medications that can help with withdrawal, cravings, and abstinence. All across the country, individuals are opening sober bars filled with mocktails and non-alcoholic drinks such as kombucha. One reason sober bars are popping up across the country is that they remove the pressures and dangers of alcohol while providing a space for socialization and community, which all humans crave. Sober curious culture encourages a sober lifestyle, but welcomes individuals who aren’t willing, ready, or planning to give up alcohol completely.
Treatment Process
It’s been linked to increased risks for cancer, liver disease, poor sleep, weight gain and more. As awareness of these effects grows, more people are redefining what health and a balanced approach to alcohol can look like. One study found that after being sober for one month, people experience decreases in blood pressure and a lower risk for alcohol-related conditions. You may not feel a need to quit entirely, but taking a break might help you find more productive ways of managing challenges. Alcohol is relied upon by many to enjoy social interactions or cope with stress.
What does sober curious mean?
Alcohol also has long-term severe risks, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, liver disease, and mental health problems. A 2023 study published in JAMA Network Open concluded that even low levels of alcohol consumption increase mortality risk. Often, sober curious individuals think more consciously about the decision to drink alcohol. What makes sober curiosity so widespread, though, is its adaptable meaning. ‘Sober curious’ tends to mean something different to every sober curious individual, making it an inclusive cultural movement. You may have heard of “Damp January,” which is where people reduce their alcohol intake instead of giving it up completely.
- “Having options that you can get excited about that are not alcohol is a great way to modify your habits,” says Andersen.
- This reflection can provide valuable insights and help you develop more sustainable habits, she says.
How to be ‘sober curious’ and limit an alcohol use disorder or over-consumption
Knowing your reasons to drink and not to drink will help you find the resolve and real-time awareness to help meet your goals. Stated another way, it doesn’t necessitate complete sobriety, as the what is alcoholism focus is on personal choice and exploration rather than strict rules. It’s more about being mindful of alcohol’s impact on your mind and body and making informed decisions about its place in one’s life for health reasons.
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Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy. Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health. In particular, she’s committed to helping decrease stigma around mental health issues. Many bars and restaurants are also expanding their non-alcohol or ‘mocktail’ offerings to include inventive drinks. Instead of thinking, “I won’t be able to drink with my friends,” remind yourself that cutting out alcohol may energize you, leaving you open to socializing in more rewarding ways.
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