A lot of people who embrace a sober lifestyle report feeling sharper and more focused. Alcohol has a way of clouding the mind, making it harder to think clearly or stay productive. By cutting back or eliminating alcohol, you may notice a newfound mental clarity that helps you tackle your Alcoholics Anonymous goals with more energy and focus. “This is a very personal journey and it’s important to focus on yourself and how alcohol is making you feel.” 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.
terms of use
As digital natives, Gen Z and millennials are acutely aware of the lasting impact of their digital footprints. Growing up under the constant gaze of social media, they understand that actions — especially those influenced by alcohol — can be immortalized online, so they are more cautious about engaging in behaviours they might later regret. Social media platforms appear to be playing a significant role in normalizing “intermittent sobriety” — a term that describes a pattern where individuals abstain from consuming alcohol and/or other substances for a select period of time. One of the defining characteristics of Gen Z is its heightened sense of self-awareness.
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What’s more, sober curiosity as a movement has become popular in recent years, making it easier to find like-minded people. If you live in a city, there are probably even specific sober clubs and bars to explore, along with all sorts of other activities where you can meet other sober people. Gen Z has far less affinity for beer and wine than previous generations, consuming a third less than their millennial predecessors according to research by Statista. This has led to a slew of new entrants into the game and most major brewers now producing a nonalcoholic beer.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Trainees Host Research Symposium
A 2023 Morning Consult poll found 22 percent of drinkers planned to take a monthlong pause from drinking that year, with 3 in 10 expecting to consume less alcohol than they had the year before. For example, you could focus on quality instead of quantity, selecting drinks and alcohols that not only taste good but make you feel good. 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.
One of the biggest surprises and benefits of reducing alcohol is the amount of money you can save. Being Sober Curious means exploring sobriety and drinking less—not from a place of restriction but from a place of curiosity. It’s not about following strict rules or labeling yourself; it’s about asking questions and making intentional choices about alcohol. You can think of it as an opportunity to step back and compare how you feel — physically, mentally and emotionally — with and without alcohol in your life. Growing up in more economic and financial uncertainty, Gen Z are more cautious.
Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are powerful drivers of Gen Z’s relationship with alcohol. These platforms provide spaces for sharing alcohol’s risks while celebrating alternatives. People often feel trapped by the rigidity of the addiction recovery community, but at Third Nature therapy, we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all model. 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.
Are you sober curious? The movement that promises to change how you drink
They’re part of a sober social club, made up mostly of women in their 30s who want to have fun and make friends without alcohol. Ro Sham Beaux’s zero-proof menu is What is Sober Curious extensive, and they pride themselves on making mocktails people will remember. Their best-seller, the Baccalaureate, blends Verjus rouge (the pressed juice of unripened red grapes) with Seedlip, a British brand of non-alcoholic spirits. A selection of zero-proof beer, wine and sparkling CBD water rounds out their menu. “Stay away from events or places that are solely focused on alcohol, such as going to a bar and hanging out,” says Hafeez. For example, if you value being an effective and helpful employee at work, how does alcohol get in the way of that?
Mental health awareness has also played an important role in magnifying this shift. Gen Z experiences higher rates of anxiety and depression than prior generations. However, along with millennials, they are also more likely than older generations to seek treatment or therapy from mental health professionals. Unlike traditional sobriety, sober curiosity does not have strict rules or guidelines. Instead, it’s about exploring your relationship with substances and making conscious choices that align with your values and goals. It’s a person-centered approach, meaning YOU are in charge of your sobriety.
- The benefits of cutting back on drinking are some of the main reasons why the sober curious movement has gained so much popularity.
- Many “sober curious” people who notice troubling patterns in their alcohol use find that a few weeks or months of sobriety helps them practice more moderate and mindful drinking going forward.
- However, in recent years, there’s been a growing awareness of the health implications of alcohol consumption and a cultural shift toward non-alcoholic beverages.
- Discover how sober travel companies redefine group trips with alcohol-free adventures for the sober and sober-curious.
- During these breaks, people often share their experiences of going alcohol-free through social media platforms, like Instagram and Facebook.
- This is one key difference between the “sober curious” movement and total sobriety.
Chronological age is measured by your birth date, but biological age measures how old your cells are. The more you drink, the more difficult it is for your cells to regenerate and repair themselves. 💙 Explore the concept of creating, and sticking to, personal Boundaries when other people are pressuring you.
Sober Standard
By contrast, abstaining often results in better mood stability, improved concentration, and a stronger sense of control. The notion of alcohol as a social lubricant has long been the norm — ask the designated driver at any event. However, in recent years, there’s been a https://nationalevv.org/how-to-find-the-best-sober-homes-in-boston/ growing awareness of the health implications of alcohol consumption and a cultural shift toward non-alcoholic beverages. While sobriety often refers to permanently abstaining from alcohol, sober curiosity involves exploring life without alcohol and deciding if it’s right for you. It may provide temporary relief from stress or anxiety, but over time, it can worsen mental health issues.
Why Are People Exploring the Sober Curious Lifestyle?
At social events, she asks for her bubbly H₂O with a slice of lime, which helps her to blend in as it resembles a https://ecosober.com/ gin and tonic. “At the start, everyone questioned my lack of alcohol intake, but I feel that it’s becoming more of the norm to opt for more healthy drink options,” says Ayala. She still has an occasional glass of wine, but says the Dry January movement helped her to kick the habit and dodge the social pressures.
