According to the World Health Organization, there is no safe level of alcohol consumption that does not impact health. If you are interested in learning more about what it means to be sober curious, check out Ruby Warrington’s book or her accompanying podcast. You can also look for events hosted by Club Söda if you want to learn more. Often referred to as “generation sober,” the millennial generation has embraced sober curious culture and has actually made sobriety more culturally acceptable. From tailgating at sporting events and celebrating weddings to attending happy hours and networking events, we celebrate many of life’s greatest events with champagne, wine, beer, and cocktails.

If you’re more comfortable telling the truth, give a simple reason for why you’re not drinking

• Discontinuing alcohol without professional supervision can lead to dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
• Given the social aspect of drinking, it might be challenging to break away from alcohol in group settings, but there are things you can do to ease the burden.
• Our culture, in many ways, revolves around alcohol – from sporting events and weddings to happy hours and networking events – most occasions are celebrated with alcohol.
• In reality, though, people recovering from alcohol use disorder can go on to drink occasionally.

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. Surely’s non-alcoholic rosé is the perfect way to maintain your sober curiosity.

Improved relationships

Many “sober curious” people who notice troubling patterns in their alcohol use find that a few weeks or months of sobriety helps them practice more moderate and mindful drinking going forward. Sober curious is a cultural movement of people who give up drinking — not in response to addiction, but for health or other personal reasons. A lot of people never give up drinking completely while practicing a sober curious lifestyle. It can be hard to figure out where to start, especially if you are often in social situations where there is pressure to drink alcohol.

Work with a therapist who can support you in your sober goals

Transitioning to a sober curious lifestyle involves more than just avoiding alcohol; it’s about actively engaging in rewarding and fulfilling alcohol-free experiences. Substituting sober curious drinking-related activities with alternatives that do not involve alcohol can pave the way to a more balanced and enjoyable life. Create a personalized plan outlining your alcohol consumption boundaries. Determine how much and when you’ll drink, and establish limits that prevent alcohol from interfering excessively with your daily life activities, like work or relationships. If you are someone who likes heavy drinking, opting for non-alcoholic drinks and mocktails every so often can help.

At One Medical, we aim to provide exceptional care designed around you and your unique health needs. Sign up today to book a same or next day appointment — in person or over video — through our app. If you’re exploring sobriety, it might be best to spend time with people who respect your decision to cut down or cut out alcohol, rather than those who will judge your actions or pressure you to drink. From AA to Reddit to informal communities on social media platforms or formal group therapy programs, there’s something for everyone. Given the growing body of evidence against drinking, this should not come as a surprise.

Director of Community Outreach

In order to see how to pivot, you have to know where you already stand. But our perceptions of how much we’re drinking aren’t always accurate. Willoughby also encourages you to reflect on what you want your future to look like, as this could allow you to work out how changing your drinking could help you achieve that goal. Kate puts together fitness content that covers functional and strength training, cardio, workout challenges, interviews and news. Drinks add up fast – especially when you’re treating yourself to that ‘just one more’ cocktail. Suddenly, I had extra cash for the https://www.planavoyage.com/blog/2025/02/19/alcohol-abuse-definition-symptoms-treatment-and-2/ things that genuinely made me happy, like trips, self-care splurges, or even just saving for something special.

They recommend that individuals either do not drink alcohol at all, or that they limit their consumption to moderate amounts. Moderate drinking means an average of 2 drinks per day for men, an average of 1 drink per day for women, and no more than 4 drinks on any one occasion. If an individual does not already consume alcohol, there is no health reason to start drinking alcohol. People who are sober curious simply have an interest in knowing what their life would be like without regular drinking of alcohol. For many sober curious people, it’s not about completely eliminating alcohol but about making mindful choices around it. It’s not cutting out alcohol entirely, but more about exploring your relationship with alcohol and how to drink less of it.

Increase their focus on health and wellbeing generally

If this all sounds appealing, you may be wondering what a sober curious lifestyle might look like, and how to get started. Let’s take a look at some steps you can take to help you make the change. In addition to the increased risk of serious medical conditions, there are the day-to-day downsides of alcohol to consider—such as problems at work or in relationships. Avoiding those unpleasant experiences can make a sober lifestyle sound very inviting. Cheryl is a Clinical Social Worker licensed by the state of Maryland with over 30 years of experience in the field.

Suggest different activities

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. The rise of the sober curious trend can be attributed in part to growing awareness of alcohol’s effects on mental and physical wellbeing. People Substance abuse are becoming more health-conscious and are questioning long-held cultural norms that equate drinking with fun, relaxation or social success.

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.