Considering Sobriety: What Does It Mean To Be Sober Curious?
The term sober curious refers to an individual’s examination of their relationship with alcohol or drinking habits and how drinking less or abstaining altogether might benefit them. The concept of a sober-curious lifestyle was popularized in 2019, after the publication of the book Sober Curious: The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, Limitless Presence, and Deep Connection Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of Alcohol, by Ruby Warrington. In today’s dominant drinking culture, drinking is normalized, and it is even expected that people will drink alcohol in some contexts such as at networking events or after work happy hours. It’s often looked at as a social activity, a coping mechanism, or a confidence booster. However, research shows that drinking can have a significant impact on our mental and physical health, and more and more people are finding that they don’t have to drink to experience the confidence, social connectedness, or enjoyment in life that drinking seems to provide. With that in mind, what exactly does it mean to be sober curious or to have sober curiousity, and is it something that you might benefit from? If you’re someone who wants to explore your relationship with alcohol or has wondered what it’s like to drink less or to start a sober curious journey, keep reading.
What does sober curiosity mean?
Often, sober curious individuals give up alcohol for a specific period of time, such a dry January, for wellness reasons and to understand better the role that regular drinking plays in their lives, why they drink, and how they may benefit from abstaining. This can help them identify how they want to move forward with their relationship with alcohol and drink more mindfully, if they drink at all.
A person may find that they feel better when they stop drinking and then proceed to drink more sparingly in the future, or they may find that they didn’t enjoy drinking after all and that the advantages of abstaining outweigh the perceived upsides. A sober-curious lifestyle is not necessarily a permanent abstention from alcohol, although some choose this eventually, nor is it a treatment for people who live with alcohol use disorder or alcohol addiction. Instead, it’s typically for people who want to explore these topics and want to practice more mindful drinking.
Advantages of a sober-curious lifestyle
Some positive effects, like fewer or no hangovers, are expected when you reduce or stop alcohol consumption. However, a diverse range of other benefits can come with lowering your alcohol consumption or if you quit drinking alcohol completely, some of which one may not expect.
Benefits of sober curiosity
Research shows that lowering or ceasing alcohol consumption can:
- Decrease the risk of certain cancers. Alcohol consumption is affiliated with a higher risk of breast cancer, liver cancer, and stomach cancer.
- Lower blood pressure and risk of heart disease in a few weeks, as drinking alcohol can raise a person’s blood pressure and causes other complex interactions that impact the heart and cardiovascular system.
- Lead to better sleep. Although some believe that a nightcap can aid their sleep, research shows that alcohol can have a negative impact on sleep patterns. Not getting enough sleep can affect both mental and physical health.
- Improve gastrointestinal (GI) issues. Alcohol consumption can lead to GI distress, ulcers, and the exacerbation of existing GI disorders.
- Increase weight loss. Alcohol contains large amounts of calories and consuming large quantities of alcohol may cause weight gain, while reducing alcohol may cause weight loss.
- Balance hormones. Drinking alcohol is linked to higher cortisol (known as “the stress hormone”) levels and other hormonal impacts, including those related to reproductive health.
- Increase your energy levels. This may be due to the improvement in sleep quality and hormone functioning that people often see when they stop or reduce alcohol consumption, along with other factors.
- Improve your mental health. Alcohol is linked to higher rates of depression and worsened symptoms of other mental health conditions, including anxiety. Some people find that not drinking is important for symptom management with various mental health disorders.
- Help your skin. Alcohol is dehydrating, which can dry out and weaken the skin, accelerate aging, and lead to puffiness.
In addition to the above benefits, some people also cite improvements in their social relationships and overall enjoyment. For many people, it’s worth it to look at why they drink and how they can make more conscious decisions around alcohol. It’s important to note that not having an alcohol use disorder doesn’t mean that someone has a healthy relationship with alcohol; those without an alcohol use disorder may still notice negative health outcomes or other concerns that arise due to drinking.
Whether drinking is a focal point or only a small part of your life, you might decide to learn more about your relationship with alcohol and how alcohol affects your daily life. The tips below can help you get started if you want to become sober curious.
How do I start abstaining from alcohol consumption?
If you’re interested in delving into your relationship with alcohol and discovering the benefits of abstaining from it, but aren’t sure how or where to start, here are some things you might consider:
Ask yourself questions
Being sober curious is often largely about gaining insight and personal awareness surrounding the way you consume alcohol. You might ask yourself questions like: Why do I frequently order alcohol with dinner? Is it out of habit, or do I want it? Is it the alcohol that makes me enjoy this event, or is it the people I’m with? If it feels like it’s the alcohol, what does that mean for me? What do I truly enjoy without alcohol?
Find other sober-curious people
Seeking a community of people who are on the same path can be helpful in terms of support and motivation. This might be especially true if you’re concerned about how not drinking or drinking less might impact your social life. You may be able to find sober-curious people and communities in person, or you can look for sober-curious groups online. People tend to do better with a support group where you’ll have someone to talk to openly about the benefits of a sober-curious lifestyle, why you have made this choice, and any challenges you face (maybe, for example, there’s a friend or relative who gets offended when you don’t drink). Meeting other sober-curious people can provide a safe outlet to discuss your thoughts with people who understand your concerns.
Find alcohol-free activities to engage in
If any of your social interactions were built around alcohol before, you might find it helpful to pursue activities that provide some distance from alcohol. This can mean engaging in new and old hobbies (e.g., painting or fitness class), attending sober-curious meetups, going to designated alcohol-free spaces, or meeting with friends for coffee or tea instead of alcohol. There are even sober bars popping up around the country designed to provide the a way for people so socialize and avoid alcohol at the same time.
Remember that it’s okay to say no
If you’ve decided to limit your alcohol intake, it’s okay to set boundaries and say no to alcohol. Even in circumstances where you might’ve had a drink without really thinking about it before, like going out to dinner, attending a concert, or at social events, it can help to know that you don’t have to drink to have a good time. This is a discovery many people make when they try a sober lifestyle.
Consider seeking a therapist for mental health support
You might also consider seeing a therapist for support. Therapy offers a safe space to talk candidly about alcohol and other aspects of your life while working on coping skills and anything else that you want to improve on or pursue. You can work with a therapist in your area or consider remote options.
Effectiveness of mental health care through online therapy
Research shows that online therapy can help individuals reduce their alcohol consumption and can help to manage a drinking problem. In another helpful report and meta-analysis of 15 different studies, researchers concluded that online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) could effectively decrease alcohol use. CBT is a widely accepted method of treatment that helps participants identify and replace negative thought patterns that may contribute to maladaptive behaviors. For example, a therapist may help an individual realize that they frequently think about alcohol as a coping mechanism and provide them with healthier ways of addressing their concerns.
Benefits of online therapy in managing alcohol consumption and fostering sobriety
Not everyone is comfortable with in person therapy and online therapy makes it easier to find support. Therapy through an online platform like BetterHelp allows you to get care remotely, which can help if you’re not yet comfortable discussing a subject like alcohol use in person. There are over 25,000 providers who offer services through BetterHelp, with a wide range of specialties, so you can be matched with a licensed therapist who has experience helping people explore alcohol use and any other concerns you have.
Takeaway
What does it mean to be sober curious?
Sober curiosity is a term that refers to someone who is currently questioning their experience with alcohol use, and while not quite ready to try sobriety, is thinking seriously about it. As a whole, the sober curious movement is a group of individuals who questions the role alcohol plays in social life, and as a lifestyle choice opt to drink less or eschew alcohol together.
Sober curiosity can be explored in a number of ways. A sober curious person may be taking a break from alcohol, they may be drinking only a specific amount at a specific time, or they may be “trying out” sobriety to observe its effects on the body.
What does sober curious mean on tinder?
If you see the term sober curious on a person’s Tinder profile, you can likely expect that they will be more interested in dating activities that don’t rely on alcohol (bars, clubs). Sober curious means that they are strongly interested in exploring the sober lifestyle to some extent. This doesn’t mean that they will necessarily say no to a glass of wine at dinner (although some may), but they probably don’t want to go out for drinks.
What is the sober curious experience?
Sober curious experience is about finding activities that don’t historically offer or rely on alcohol as part of the event. Some sober curious experiences can include things like:
- Fitness or meditation classes
- Book clubs
- Online sober curious spaces, planned sober retreats
- Hikes and/or community walks
The sober curiosity movement has even given rise to sober-specific meeting places such as sober bars or clubs.
What is the sober curious strategy?
A sober curious person may be interested in examining their relationship with alcohol, as well as the effects of alcohol on social activity in general. They may wonder whether the normalization of drinks as a part of fun experience is the best way to view life.
They may implement a strategy to explore this question. Factors in this may include scheduling drinks (for example, one glass of wine with dinner once a week), taking a month off drinking, or trying to schedule more activities and events that don’t historically rely on alcohol for a good time.
Those who are taking a break from alcohol will often ask themselves questions to determine how important the role of alcohol in their life has become. Some questions they may ask include:
- Do I find myself more anxious when I’m not drinking at social events?
- Do I crave a drink in certain situations?
- Do I have less fun doing the same activities sober than I did when I was drinking?
- How much does it matter to me whether alcohol is served at an event or not?
What are the physical and mental health benefits of being sober curious?
For those who choose to experience the sober curious lifestyle, there may be certain health benefits. These include:
- Increased energy
- Lower blood pressure
- Improved mood
- Decreased risk of cancer
- Improvement in focus and memory
- Better sleep
- No hangovers
How do you flirt while sober?
Flirting while sober is the same as flirting while drinking, with the possible exception that you may say less that you regret the next morning. It can be difficult to approach and talk to people when you are naturally shy, and some people find that they are bolder while drinking alcohol.
If you want to give flirting while sober a try, it may be worthwhile to arrange for meetups or join clubs and activities that are held in historically sober spaces. This can include hiking groups, book clubs, sober bars, or sports groups. Get to know the people that hang out in these places, and expand your friend group. If you are on a dating app, you can put in your profile that you are “sober curious” and match up with like-minded individuals.
Why am I less flirty when practicing sobriety?
Alcohol lowers inhibitions, so many find it far easier to hit on others or be chattier in general.
Can a sober person date?
Of course, a sober person can date! 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.
What is the difference between sober and sober curious?
Sober is a term that refers to a lifestyle choice, often as a result of alcoholism or other substance use disorders. Sobriety requires complete abstinence from alcohol, while sober curiosity does not.
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