What Does it Mean to be Sober Curious?

Despite the persistent problem of alcohol addiction in the country, more and more people are becoming more conscious of their relationship with drinking. The younger generation in particular are drinking less alcohol. In the latest NHS health survey, it was found that people aged between 16 and 24 were least likely to drink once a week.

This change in attitudes is down to many things. One of the major contributors is the rise of the sober curious movement. The idea of drinking more responsibly was once an idea only for concerned doctors and parents – but now people are more educated about the dangers of drinking and are prioritising other things.

Being sober curious means enjoying better physical and mental health, becoming more energetic and enjoying life more healthily.

If you want to change your drinking habits, you should know about the benefits of sobriety, how you can make a change and what challenges lay ahead.

What Does it Mean to be Sober Curious?

Being sober curious means that you are interested in changing your relationship with alcohol. It doesn’t mean you necessarily want to live an alcohol-free lifestyle but instead want to become more mindful about your drinking.

It differs from complete sobriety as there is flexibility. Perhaps you won’t drink during the week or go sober for a few months at a time. If you become completely sober, that is perhaps because you are worried about your drinking habits developing into alcoholism. With becoming sober curious, you are experimenting and want to reap some benefits of drinking less alcohol.

You may decide to become sober curious for several reasons. Wanting to improve your physical and mental health is a big one, as well as enjoy more mental clarity as drinking can make you less focused and productive. People also try it for social reasons – they question how they use alcohol in social settings and whether the relationship is becoming unhealthy.

The Rise of the Sober Curious Movement

The idea of not drinking being good for you is not old. In the USA they spent an entire decade being legally permitted from drinking which caused more drinking and the invention of organised crime.

A more thoughtful approach to sobriety began in 2011 with the invention of Dry January. A similar month-long abstention from drinking followed in 2013 with Sober October.

The sober curious movement truly began in 2018 with the book Sober Curious by Ruby Warrington. It placed becoming sober in the prism of the wellness business. Social media and influencers have helped the movement grow – hashtags on TikTok and Instagram have made it easy for people to find others living the sober curious life. It has also promoted a sense of openness and removed shame from worrying about your drinking habits or wanting to improve yourself.

Organisations such as Club Soda, Sober Girl Society and Dryy also promote the lifestyle and have made a community out of it.

Benefits of Being Sober Curious

Deciding to do an alcohol detox and be sober for a time can seem like a big lifestyle shift. There are many benefits to becoming sober curious – some you may notice immediately and others may take a while to reveal themselves. You may be surprised by how much alcohol affects your day-to-day life and be amazed by the changes.

Physical Health Benefits:

• Improved sleep
• Weight loss
• Clearer skin
• Better digestive health
• Reduced risk of liver disease, cancer and high blood pressure
• Boosted immune system

Mental Health Benefits:

• Reduced anxiety
• Improved mood
• Improved mental clarity
• Reduced risk of exacerbating existing mental health conditions

Social & Lifestyle Benefits:

• Better relationships
• More time being productive
• Better financial shape
• Better social and work-life balance

How to Start Your Sober Curious Journey

Deciding to try a period of not drinking or practising mindful drinking may seem easy. You just do it.

The thing is, if drinking is a common aspect of your life – like drinking coffee or tea – suddenly stopping can be difficult. There are things though you can think about beforehand to start your sober curious journey off in the right way.

1. Have a Plan

You don’t have to plan your sobriety like a military operation but looking ahead can be helpful. Look at why you are doing it and what you want to get out of being sober curious. Try setting a personal goal and work towards that – are you just cutting down or trying to reach a certain amount of days without drinking?

Having a plan and sticking to it can help you stay on the path.

2. Start Small

Don’t be too ambitious. It may be harder than you think so try alcohol-free weekends to begin with. If you want to go bigger, try an alcohol-free month and coincide it with Sober October or Dry January.

3. Don’t Go Alone

If you can, get someone else to come along on the journey. If no one in your personal life wants to try it that doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. You can ask someone to be your accountability partner who can still offer support when you need it.

There are also people all over becoming sober – online communities such as Sober Socials can help you connect with others going through the same thing.

4. Pay Attention to Yourself

Use this time to practice some self-reflection. Why were you concerned about your drinking? What are your triggers? Are there better coping mechanisms out there?

You’ll have other questions but use this time to get a better understanding of what alcohol means to you and how cutting down can help.

Common Challenges for Sobriety and How to Overcome Them

When trying to end your alcohol abuse or cut down, many things can get in the way. Challenges can include:

• Social pressure
• Breaking old habits
• Dealing with stress
• Financial considerations

There are ways to deal with these problems. Finding new social activities, picking up a hobby or meeting friends without alcohol can help you break old habits and ease the social pressure. Exercising regularly, eating well and practising mindfulness can help you reduce stress.

What the People Say

Embracing wellness and a sober curious life isn’t just for Instagram influencers. Normal people have stories of success to tell.

“Giving up alcohol has been an incredibly positive experience for me, not only for my mental and physical wellbeing, but for my personal relationships with the very friends and social circles I was worried about ‘letting down’ by quitting.” – Gemma Saggers

“Sobriety has turned my light back on and now I live a life beyond my wildest dreams. There really is no contest.” – Dawn Conolly

Get Support Today

Sober curious offers you the chance to approach sobriety in a way that suits you. It’s less about not drinking but examining your relationship with alcohol. There are many benefits to drinking less and there are many ways you can do it.

If you are curious about becoming sober you should find a supportive community to join or seek professional advice. Ocean Recovery is a private drug and alcohol rehab that can help you begin your journey to sobriety.

For more information, call us now at 0800 880 7596.

Sources:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/health-survey-for-england/2021/part-3-drinking-alcohol#frequency-of-drinking-in-the-last-12-months-by-age-and-sex

https://www.boots.com/wellness-advice/life-balance/wellbeing-advice/going-alcohol-free-journeys

https://alcoholchange.org.uk/blog/sober-curious-champions-share-their-stories

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John Gillen - Author - Last updated: August 23, 2024

John is one UK’s leading professionals in the addiction recovery industry. Pioneering new treatment techniques such as NAD+ and ongoing research into new therapy techniques such as systematic laser therapy, John is committed to providing the very best treatment for people throughout the UK and Europe. During his extremely busy schedule, John likes to regularly update our blog section with the latest news and trends in the industry to keep visitors to our site as well informed as possible on everything related to addiction treatment.