What Does it Mean to be Sober Curious?

Alcohol is one of America’s favorite pastimes. You can find people drinking in almost every setting, from dinner with friends to work parties and even children’s birthdays. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), nearly 80% of Americans aged 12 or older have drunk alcohol at some point in their lifetime.[1]

While most people view alcohol as a cultural norm, the new generation of young adults is starting to reexamine their relationship with it. Gen Z has created a movement called “sober curious.” Sober curiosity simply means that you are questioning your relationship with alcohol and thinking about trying out sobriety.

The sober curious lifestyle might be the physical and mental health movement we all need. Taking a break from alcohol can improve your concentration, memory, sleep, heart health, and mental health. The way that the sober curious movement is changing drinking culture might lead to improvements in everyone’s overall lifestyle.

In this article, you will learn:

What is the Sober Curious Movement?

You might know someone who has chosen sobriety after experiencing alcoholism or an alcohol use disorder. This might lead you to think that the sober curious movement is a choice people make after suffering from addiction. However, many people in Gen Z are simply becoming sober curious because they have recognized the cons of their drinking habits and want to make a change.

When you are sober curious, you do not have to be fully sober or alcohol-free. Sometimes people engaging in the sober curious lifestyle still engage in moderate alcohol consumption. It just means that they are lessening the amount of alcohol they drink while examining the relationship they have with the substance.

Some people who are sober curious go on to remove alcohol from their lifestyle completely. Others just find a healthy balance where they can have drinks with their friends without binging or drinking too often.

Are There Health Benefits to Being Sober Curious?

Drinking alcohol frequently can lead to numerous drawbacks, from interpersonal relationship issues and financial troubles to hangovers and mental health problems. You might feel tired, and bloated, and experience mood swings when you are drinking too much.

Excessive alcohol use can also increase your risk of experiencing life-threatening health complications or overdoses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “About 178,000 people die from excessive alcohol use each year in the United States.”[2]

Becoming sober curious means you are examining your relationship with alcohol. You will be taking a look at your motivations for drinking it and determining if you are engaging in alcohol use too often. You will likely lessen the amount of alcohol you consume.

The health benefits of being sober curious and lessening your alcohol intake include:[3]

• Improved memory and concentration
• Healthier sleeping habits
• Stronger immune system
• Lowered cardiovascular risks
• Increased energy levels
• Decreased risks of cancers
• Improved mental health

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How to Become Sober Curious

Now that you know the benefits of the sober curious lifestyle, you might be wondering how to join it.

The steps to becoming sober curious include:

Thinking About Your Relationship With Alcohol

The first step of sober curiosity is thinking about your relationship with alcohol. Ask yourself why you engage in alcohol consumption in the first place. Are you using it responsibly or drinking alcohol in place of healthier coping mechanisms?

Creating a Plan

The next step is to create a plan for how sober curiosity will look in your daily life. Are you going to abstain from alcohol for one month or engage in a challenge like Dry January? Maybe you are going to lessen the number of times you go out each month or limit yourself to one drink per dinner.

Your plan for your sober curious lifestyle should reflect your overall goal. Are you simply looking to save money and get a little bit healthier or give up drinking altogether because it is negatively impacting your life?

Seeking Support

Sometimes it can be easier to engage in a sober curious lifestyle if you have support. You could ask one of your friends to go on the journey with you. If you do not have friends interested in sober curiosity, you should reach out to your family or a mental health professional who can guide you through the process.

Engaging in Sober-Friendly Activities

Lastly, you should look for ways to have fun without drinking alcohol. The sober curious lifestyle might not be easy, however, there are ways to make it more enjoyable. You can go on hikes, visit art installations, engage in hobbies like reading or writing, and go out with friends who do not engage in drinking.

If you find that you are missing the nightlife, the sober curious lifestyle has caused mocktails to rise in popularity. Some cities even have bars that only serve alcohol-free beverages to give sober and curious individuals a fun place to hang out with their friends at night.

Get Help for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

If you or a loved one suffers from alcohol addiction, it’s time to seek help. At Charlotte Detox Center, we can help you overcome alcohol withdrawal using evidence-based approaches like medication and behavioral therapy.

Contact us today for more information on how we can help you overcome an alcohol use disorder.

References:

1. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): Alcohol Use in the United States
2. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Alcohol Use and Your Health
3. BMJ Journals: Short-term abstinence from alcohol and changes in cardiovascular risk factors, liver function tests, and cancer-related growth factors: a prospective observational study