It’s pretty common to see people on social media enjoy a glass of wine after a long day or planning to meet up with friends for a few drinks on the weekend. Alcohol is a drug, and it carries with it a risk of addictive behavior, especially if you drink consistently over long periods of time or you engage in binge drinking. There’s a movement out there, though, that has people wondering a bit more about what they are doing. Being sober curious does not mean a person is giving up all access to alcohol. But it is an interesting take on how to view alcohol in day-to-day life.
What Does It Mean to Be Sober Curious?
The bottom line is that sober curious is a type of movement that is focused on encouraging people to become more aware of when and how much they are drinking as well as how they can improve their relationship with alcohol. As noted, that does not mean a person is giving up all access to alcohol, but it does mean they are putting more attention into what they are doing.
Be warned, though. Sober curious is something that only applies to people who do not have alcohol dependency or addiction. It only applies to people who are drinking socially and not on a habit-forming basis. If you have an addiction, turn to our Arizona rehab to learn more.
Why Does This Matter?
A survey from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism in 2019 reported that 85.6 percent of people who were over the age of 18 and surveyed reported that they drank alcohol at some point. In addition, about 54.8 percent of men and 51 percent of women in that group said they had drank alcohol in the past month. People drink, and sometimes people drink much more than they realize.
Let’s be frank. Alcohol seems like no big deal, especially when you consider a glass of wine or a beer. However, alcohol is toxic to the body and can be habit forming. That is why it is important for you to pay close attention to your use of this substance, even if you are healthy.
What Are the Goals of Being Sober Curious?
Being sober curious is a lifestyle for people who may be concerned about their drinking but that do not have an addiction to it. That’s important to know. If you have an addiction and have been in addiction treatment, you should never use alcohol at any level.
For those who are becoming more aware of how much they are drinking, though, sober curious is an important lifestyle choice. It might be a good plan for you if you have thought about cutting back on the amount of alcohol you consume, but you do not feel you need to stop drinking at all.
The goal of being sober curious is to:
- Question why and how much you are drinking alcohol
- Draw more awareness to your current drinking habits and whether they align with your goals
- Finding ways to engage in sober activities that do not revolve around the use of substances
- Help you think about your decision to have a drink each time you reach for one
- Learn how to engage more fully in social activities without alcohol
Know There Are Risks with Alcohol Use
If you are a heavy drinker or you drink often because you feel an intense need to do so, you may have alcohol use disorder. In this case, you need to reach out to a treatment specialist such as our alcohol addiction team to learn more about the options available to you to stop using alcohol.
