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. In today’s dominant drinking culture, drinking is normalised, and it is sometimes presumed 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.
Often, individuals curious about an alcohol-free lifestyle give up alcohol for a specific period of time, such as during the Dry January® challenge, 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 dependency. Instead, it’s typically for people who want to explore these topics and want to practice more mindful drinking.
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.
In addition to common benefits related to physical and mental health, 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 being alcohol dependent doesn’t mean that someone has a healthy relationship with alcohol; those without alcohol dependencies 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 explore an alcohol-free lifestyle.
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.
Being curious about an alcohol-free lifestyle 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?
Download the free Try Dry® app to track units, calories, and money saved, set goals, and celebrate milestones. Whether you want to take in the Dry January® challenge (or another dry challenge), cut down on your drinking, or go totally alcohol-free. Features like 'Insights' allow you to spot trends over a time period as you monitor your wellbeing with sleep, energy levels, mood and craving intensity trackers. Using the 'Notes' section to record your thoughts, feelings, daily reflections, events or learning will help you understand triggers and gain valuable insights about your relationship with alcohol.
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.
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.
Being sober curious can help you examine the role that alcohol typically plays in your life and determine how limiting consumption or abstaining altogether might benefit you. With BetterHelp, you don’t have to face these questions alone. You can connect with a licensed therapist who can provide valuable support and resources as you work to create a healthy relationship with alcohol. Take the first step and reach out to BetterHelp today.
