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Even if you don’t want to give up drinking entirely, reexamining your relationship to alcohol can have big benefits for your health. Love in Recovery is a dating website that was created to help singles who are sober find a genuine connection while in recovery. It’s also used for those who are simply living a sober lifestyle and want to find someone who is as well. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to make a connection with someone without a membership.
- Suckerpunch accrued a mailing list of 30,000 curious consumers prior to opening its doors, which the owners attribute to people becoming increasingly health-conscious and sober-curious throughout the pandemic.
- Instead of having a drink every time you normally would , “try to alternate your regular alcoholic drinks with an NA alternative,” says Watts.
- “I recognized myself in almost every one.” Three weeks after that wedding, Minturn quit.
- The most helpful activities are often ones that you know provide meaning, enjoyment, or a sense of mastery.
Loosid is a dating app that’s perfect for those who are sober curious or have abstained from alcohol for a long period of time. Whether you’re just starting your sobriety journey or have been sober for years, you can find someone who shares your lifestyle and values. The app isn’t strictly for those who are in recovery like other sober dating apps, so be mindful that not everyone you meet will be on their sobriety journey. With this app, you can share the reasons behind your sobriety on your profile — whether it’s for health or an overall improved sense of well-being — to help connect you to singles.
One of the main drivers of the sober curious movement is social media. Online communities have emerged where people can share their experiences and support each other in their journeys toward a more mindful lifestyle. These communities provide a safe space for people to explore their relationship with alcohol and to find like-minded individuals who are also interested in sobriety. Recently, a new movement has been making waves on social media, with more and more people questioning their relationship with alcohol. Videos under the tag “sober curious” have racked up over 800 million views on TikTok, and this number continues to grow each day. A 2020 studyfound that the percentage of college-age Americans who don’t drink has risen from 20% to 28% in a decade.
Loosid also provides a supportive community where you can chat with other members when you are struggling or need support with your sobriety journey. Wellness warriors – consumers who are prioritizing their wellness and well-being – are shifting the landscape. As seen with the rise of plant-based meats, the rise of no- and low- alcohol beverages may be taking a similar trajectory.
As mentioned, part of being sober curious is about being mindful when you reach for a drink. But while it’s important to be mindful in the moment, some are harder than others. And if there are moments you think it might be hard to say “no” to a drink—even if you want to? “Try making a plan ahead of time for not drinking at an event that you normally would,” says Watts. The movement has encouraged more sober-focused events such as yoga retreats, meditation sessions, book clubs, online communities, and non-alcoholic dinner parties. Sober curious culture encourages a sober lifestyle, but welcomes individuals who aren’t willing, ready, or planning to give up alcohol completely.
If you’re considering sobriety, even temporarily, know that you are making a health-minded choice by going alcohol-free. But sober curiosity doesn’t work for everyone, especially for those with alcohol use disorder. Going sober curious allows you the opportunity to see how sobriety or moderation might fit into your life. If you do end up having more drinks than you had aimed for, don’t be too hard on yourself. Reflect and plan in the knowledge that any improvement you make can have an impact on your health and wellness. The pros and cons of moderate alcohol consumption have been debated in recent years almost as much as whether eggs raise your cholesterol.
History & Culture
If you find it difficult to avoid alcohol despite your best efforts, a good next step might involve reaching out to a professional who specializes in recognizing and treating alcohol dependence. You can also try out 12-step program like Alcoholics Anonymous or SMART Recovery. The new reality of Zoom hangouts might not be the most fun option, but they do reduce the need to explain your choice not to drink if you aren’t comfortable telling others about your plans. Plenty of options for alcohol-free socializing and dating exist, of course.
Maybe you need alcohol to get yourself in the mood to socialize or have a drink every night to ease the day’s stress. You’ve noticed, though, that drinking doesn’t really do much to address those issues, and you often end up feeling even more anxious. You can have concerns about your drinking habits even if you don’t meet criteria for alcohol use disorder.
The “sober curious” or “sober sometimes” movement started as a challenge for those who felt they’d partied a little too hard over New Year’s weekend. First there was “Dry January,” when people could brag on social media about how they were taking a break from booze. Now there’s “Dry July” and even “Sober September.” And the movement has spread across the U.S., with people challenging each other to see what life is like without alcohol and share in that experience.
“How this information influences future behavior may look different from person to person. Some individuals may give up alcohol entirely, while others may continue to drink but less frequently,” Benson said. Learn how different types of alcohol are made, what distinguishes different liquors, wines, and beers, and more. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. To learn more about this approach, check out the nonprofit organization Moderation Management.
Survey Reveals Four Ways Americans are Cutting Food Costs
According to Sarah O’Brien, an Addiction Specialist with Ark Behavioral Health, sober curiosity is a judgment-free practice that allows room for growth and failure, with an emphasis on alcohol moderation. “Sober curious” is a social wellness movement that involves self-selecting out of alcohol consumption at times, without abstaining from drinking altogether. This movement encourages individuals to explore their relationship with drinking, as well as the physical and mental benefits that may come from shifting their focus away from alcohol. If you’re new to your sobriety journey or struggling with your alcohol-free lifestyle, Sober Grid is a great app to consider.
“Ask yourself how your life would look without alcohol,” says Peimer. Understanding the reasons behind your drinking can help you make better, healthier choices around if and when to drink. “Sober curious offers a flexibility to acknowledge your use of alcohol might not be healthy without the rigidity of an all-or-nothing approach,” says Peimer. McBurnett said she enjoys drinking sparkling water mixed with cut fruit, basil, and mint out of a wine glass.
Sober Curious Movement & Remedy Wellbeing
Here are some expert tips on how sober people can stay happy and alcohol free on the road, plus how to be an ally when you vacation with non-drinking friends or family members. In Chamonix, France, a bright green glass of diabolo sits on a café table. The mocktail made of mint and lemonade is popular in the region; it’s one of many non-alcoholic drinks available to the growing number of sober travelers. If you want to explore your relationship with alcohol, it can be helpful to cut it out and note any changes in your life caused by its elimination.
The website can be a way to find friendship, especially if you’re new to sobriety, as most recovery programs recommend waiting a year before getting into a romantic relationship. Peer Support in Texas – Who We Are and What We DoPanelists will share workforce information, eligibility and the process to become a peer specialist and explore a day in the life of a peer specialist. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and HHSC is highlighting a variety of opportunities and resources to raise awareness about mental health issues. To approach a question 400 million years in the making, researchers turned to mudskippers, blinking fish that live partially out of water. When you are sober, your choice of traveling companions can be as important as your destination and activities. “Don’t go on vacation with people you used to use substances or anyone you have highly conflictual relationships with,” advises Weston.
I quit drinking around the time the current “sober curious” movement started bubbling up. The market for nonalcoholic beers, spirit-free cocktails, and no-booze bars is now booming. According to a 2022 study from IWSR Drinks Market Analysis, the global market for no- and low-alcohol beer, cider, wine, and spirits grew by 31 percent year over year and currently amounts to a $10 billion industry. This moderation mind-set might particularly appeal to people searching for ways to scale back on troubling habits they developed during the pandemic. Studies have shown a dramatic increase in problematic drinking over the last year, especially among women. As the pandemic slogged on, “We had a real spike in people coming to us,” said Millie Gooch, who founded the Sober Girl Society collective in 2018.
Breaking The Booze Habit, Even Briefly, Has Its Benefits
From there, she says, you can set personal goals for yourself in terms of how you drink, when you drink, and if you choose to drink at all. Whatever approach you choose, Witkiewitz says, the idea is to have a thoughtful plan for when you do and don’t want to eco sober house complaints imbibe. Whether it’s bloody marys at brunch or hot toddies around a neighbor’s backyard firepit, imbibing and socializing are frequently intertwined. Love in Recovery can not only be used to help you find your perfect partner but someone to lean on, too.
But Minturn also needed to connect with people again in real life, without the crutch of a drink. In the comments feed of the Instagram account @sobergirlsociety, Minturn spotted a woman who lived in nearby Richmond and pinged her. “But it’s powerful to talk to someone else who’s sober house boston going through the same thing.” Here’s to notnotdrinking alone. An estimated 46.3 million Americans have substance abuse problems, and I’m one of them. I suffer from alcohol use disorder (the National Institute for Health’s preferred term), colloquially known as alcoholism.
The group hosts online and in-person social events without alcohol, as well as free and paid programs that teach members how to reduce their drinking habits. About half of Club Soda’s over 70,000 members are interested in moderating their drinking, rather than in becoming entirely sober. The group has seen consistent growth, particularly in the United States, in recent years, as well as more interest from people in their 20s concerned about the toll drinking takes on their mental health. The https://rehabliving.net/ welcomes anyone who wants to know more about the health benefits of cutting down on alcohol.
The sober curious movement is impacting what Americans are drinking
Verywell Mind’s content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. “By skipping days when you drink, you allow your body a rest period to help fully detoxify. Cutting back on daily amounts can help too—there’s less toxin coming into your body,” Bruning said. Verywell Health’s content is for informational and educational purposes only. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reframe is an app designed to help with alcohol reduction, but does it actually work?
Within the industry, innovation testing is currently seeing a significant spike. NielsenIQ BASES has seen 15x the number of non-alcohol launches tested in 2021 compared to 2020. As consumers explore the boundaries of buzz-less beverages, there are opportunities that expand beyond the traditional beverage alcohol category. In 2022, keep an eye on innovative moves within sparkling water, coffee, energy drinks and functional beverages, which will likely catch the eyes of health-minded consumers with a thirst to try something new. As trends in this space evolve, the opportunities are there for the taking.
