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Alcohol-free bars are also on the rise and support non-drinking social gatherings, allowing a person to remain social without the need for alcohol. Heard the term “sober curious” floating around and wondering what it’s all about? It’s a growing movement reflecting a shift in how people think about their relationship with alcohol. Many people who quit drinking find themselves with more free time than usual. Dedicating this time to self-care and satisfying hobbies can help you stay motivated to maintain a “sober curious” lifestyle. In other words, you haven’t started drinking, or you’ve waited long enough since your last drink to sober up.
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- If you are dealing with alcohol use disorder, there are several immediate steps you can take to find the support you need for your journey to recovery.
- Your doctor can supervise your detox, recommend treatment options, and refer you to local resources in your area that can help.
- Before you decide to explore what it means to be sober curious, you might want to explore the sober curious movement a little more.
- However, the spectrum of alcohol use is diverse, and not everyone falls neatly into the categories of having a drinking problem or not.
- This approach involves exploring your relationship with substances and adapting it to your specific needs and objectives, which may involve reducing or abstaining from alcohol.
This may mean taking a break from alcohol for, say, a month or quitting forever. “Sober Halfway house curious” is more than just a buzzword; it’s a lifestyle choice that’s gaining traction around the world. Being “sober curious” means that we’re open to questioning the role of alcohol in our life.
Bring Your Own Drinks
A person who is sober curious generally makes the choice to be sober for the physical and mental health benefits. In that regard, sober curiosity can be for almost anyone who is interested in seeing how their mind and body respond to taking time off from consuming alcohol. Short term or not, sober curiosity can still promote mindful drinking habits and lasting lifestyle changes. It’s absolutely OK to need extra support while addressing drinking habits. To initiate a journey towards a sober curious lifestyle, it’s essential to personally comprehend and confront one’s drinking habits. This period of time of self-reflection allows individuals to gain insight into their relationship with alcohol and its influence on their lives, especially in the dominant drinking culture.
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They’re going without alcohol for 30 days, they explain, and are documenting their experience in a podcast and on Instagram at #boozelessATX. Chris Marshall of Austin, Texas, has been sober for the past 12 years. He started drinking in high school, he says, and got his first DUI at 16. “Not everybody wants to get wasted when they go to the bar,” says Forte. Sometimes, being there is just about wanting to be social and fit in.
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Cutting back on alcohol doesn’t mean you’re limited to water, club soda or soft drinks. Among young adults who received any treatment for substance use in the past year, a third were aware of the SC movement, and almost one in five had participated in Dry January or similar abstinence challenges. The researchers surveyed 1,659 young adults who were in their mid-20s.
Alcohol is detrimental for women’s health
Participating in activities that don’t have alcohol as a focus is also part of this movement. For example, instead of going to a bar every Friday night, you can choose to go to a movie. The beauty of the Sober Curious movement is that it welcomes everyone on this spectrum (with the important caveat that it is not a substitute for professional treatment for alcohol dependency). It is a fluid identity; you might start as sober curious, move into mindful drinking, or ultimately decide that an alcohol-free life is the best fit for you.
How can you support your sober curious friends and family?
Maybe you don’t drink as much as those around you or you avoid drinking every day. Or perhaps you’re just curious about the surprising health benefits of abstinence. https://rubenilusionista.com/why-do-i-get-a-headache-after-drinking-a-small-3/ It is important to remember that drinking alcohol too much or too often or being unable to control alcohol consumption can be a sign of alcohol misuse and, in some cases, alcohol use disorder. In addition, abstinence challenges in particular may help encourage young adults to consider entering treatment for alcohol misuse.
The Surgeon General released a statement in January 2025 warning of the risks of drinking, even in moderation. There’s evidence to link alcohol use to an increased risk of developing several types of cancer. If you’re considering sobriety, even temporarily, know that you are making a health-minded choice sober curious by going alcohol-free.
“With Contiki, I’ve noticed more and more travellers who don’t drink, or really moderate their drinking, and it’s just because of that wellness aspect and looking after yourself. It’s also really just about enjoying your trip, taking in the local culture, and appreciating the holiday,” says Bex. 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.
Q&A: Thinking of Cutting Back on the Booze? Use This Advice From the Pros
There are more and more sober social groups popping up around the country, and a Google or social media search may lead you to one near you. If you can’t find a local group that already exists, consider starting one of your own by putting out feelers in a social media post or putting up flyers advertising a sober get-together. Sobriety is the state of not having any effects from alcohol and drugs. While stopping alcohol or drug use is critical, sobriety goes beyond abstaining from substances.
At Freedom Detox & Recovery Center, we welcome everyone on the spectrum of recovery—whether you’re deep in addiction or just beginning to ask, “What if I took a break from alcohol? From artisanal cocktails and wine bars to local craft breweries and distillers, alcohol is a prominent part of San Diego society. Yet a growing trend is encouraging people to take a closer look at their relationship with alcohol and its impact on their physical and mental wellness.
