What Does It Mean to Be Sober Curious? Exploring a Life Beyond Alcohol Freedom Detox & Recovery Center

Perhaps you still drink but you have a friend or family member who has decided to take a break from drinking or quit drinking altogether. If you make the decision to drink less or take a break from alcohol, how do you get started? Knowing how much you drink, in what environments you drink, sober curious and who you usually drink with can help you create new habits and routines that don’t center around alcohol.

Improved Mental Clarity

• The sober curious movement invites people to rethink the societal norms around drinking and empowers them to make choices that prioritize their mental, emotional, and physical health.
• Notable figures who embrace sober consciousness and enhance the concept’s visibility include Bradley Cooper, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, and Chrissy Teigen.
• We have provided some examples in our article Tips for avoiding drinking at events.
• In fact, it may clear up your memories, and make them sparkle all the more.
• “I would say the very first thing people should do is start to explore it,” says Greg Hobelmann, M.D., co-CEO of Ashley Addiction Treatment.

However, new research studies, along with a rise in “sober curious” influencers on social media, indicate that more and more people are considering the benefits of abstaining altogether, or more mindfully engaging in alcohol culture. Additionally, many find that embracing the sober curious lifestyle helps them develop healthier coping mechanisms, fostering a more balanced and fulfilling life. Ultimately, people are drawn to this movement because it offers freedom from the constraints of drinking culture, encouraging exploration of a more authentic life aligned with their values. 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.

Find other sober-curious people

Some people tire of the pressure to drink in social settings, or want to break free from the expectation that alcohol is necessary for fun or relaxation. By choosing a sober alcoholism treatment curious lifestyle, they can redefine social interactions and create environments where alcohol is not the central focus. “Sober curious” is a lifestyle choice where people reassess their relationship with alcohol. This doesn’t necessarily mean committing to never drinking again, but rather, choosing to be mindful about when and why they drink.

Lifestyle Quizzes

According to a 2018 study, 1 month of abstaining from alcohol may help lower blood pressure and risk for alcohol-related diseases. Often referred to as “generation sober,” the millennial generation has embraced sober curious culture and has actually made sobriety more culturally acceptable. Admittedly, when you begin your sober conscious journey, you may experience push-back from those in your social circle. People drink for multiple reasons including celebrating wins, mourning losses, and socializing with others. Even though it is legal to drink, alcohol is an addictive substance and many struggle with alcohol dependence.

• 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.
• But whatever the motivation, the ‘sober curious’ movement is becoming more mainstream, especially among young adults.
• Sober curious, also called mindful drinking, doesn’t necessarily mean you have to cut out alcohol entirely from your life.
• Decide on alcohol-free days or limiting the number of drinks you have on certain occasions.
• The Calm app puts the tools to feel better in your back pocket, with personalized content to manage stress and anxiety, get better sleep, and feel more present in your life.