Lately, you may have been hearing the buzzword “sober curious” more and more. But what exactly does being sober curious entail? Is it a healthy option? Or is it just a fad? Let’s take a closer look at what the experts say about the sober curious trend.
What Is Sober Curious?
Someone who is sober curious takes an active pause from drinking as a way to reflect on when, where, and why they drink alcohol. Historically, sobriety was considered an all-or-nothing approach; instead, sober curious people are being more purposeful about when they drink. In particular, more Gen Z and millennials are hopping aboard the sober curious train compared to Gen Xers and Baby Boomers.
How Did It Start?
The sober curious trend technically started around 2012, the same year a British charity began the movement known as Dry January, which encourages people to refrain from drinking alcohol during the first month of the year. Similarly, in 2014, Sober October became a popular movement, which also encouraged people to give up drinking and using drugs for a whole month.
In 2018, author Ruby Warrington wrote a book on this topic called Sober Curious: The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, Deep Connection, and Limitless Presence Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of Alcohol. Since then, the concept and term has taken off.
The Health Benefits of Being Sober Curious
Approximately 95,000 people in the U.S. die every year due to excessive alcohol consumption. Aside from that startling figure, there are some benefits of the sober curious trend:
- Improved blood pressure
- Better sleep
- Weight loss
- Better focus and function
- Improved mood
- Healthier liver
- Improved behavior that builds better relationships
- Less likely to acquire type 2 diabetes
- Fewer chances of heart failure or stroke
- Saving money
Is Being Sober Curious Permanent?
As mentioned, the point of being sober curious is that people can reflect on their drinking habits without the pressure to give up alcohol entirely. If a person recognizes that it’s difficult to cut back or stop drinking, it may signal that they have a deeper dependence on the substance. In this case, giving up alcohol altogether may be the only way to fully recover. But staying sober forever is not a curse: It should be considered an opportunity to focus on positive things and better health.
If you feel you are struggling with substance abuse, we encourage you to seek professional help.
Have you tried being sober curious? Share your experience with us in the comments below!