There’s no denying the fun that can come with drinking—the quick buzz, the fleeting sense of freedom, the uninhibited laughter. And there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the occasional mind-altering experience. Even elephants in the wild have been observed eating fermented fruit to get intoxicated. 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 programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Halfway house or SMART Recovery. Other resources that can help include recovery support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and SMART Recovery.
How Sober Curiosity Supports Self-Awareness
Join our challenges designed to support your journey toward a more mindful, alcohol-free lifestyle. Discover the benefits of sober curiosity and connect with others making the same choice. If you see the term sober curious on a person’s Tinder profile, you can likely expect that they will be more interested in dating activities that don’t rely on alcohol (bars, clubs). Sober curious means that they are strongly interested in exploring the sober lifestyle to some extent. This doesn’t mean that they will necessarily say no to a glass of wine at dinner (although some may), but they probably don’t want to go out for drinks.
What Does Being “Sober Curious” Actually Mean?
- If you’re not drinking at all, ask ahead of time about nonalcoholic drink options or bring your own.
- Prior to entering the substance abuse and mental health field, Erin was a Special Education Teacher for 10 years.
- Rather than labeling alcohol as “bad,” she presented curiosity as a powerful tool for personal reflection.
- Giving up alcohol isn’t always easy, especially if you are regularly in social situations where you might feel pressured to drink by friends, family, or co-workers.
- It can leave you tired, cause an inflammatory response that affects your immune system, and interfere with daily life.
She graduated from The University of Maryland with a master’s degree in social work. Her experience in a variety of settings, from leadership in a hospital setting to private practice, affords Cheryl a well-rounded skillset ready to render top-notch care and serve the needs of our diverse community. As a licensed clinician, Cheryl stands ready to diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of mental, behavioral, and personality disorders that sometimes present alongside a substance use disorder. Whether she’s leading group therapy or providing an individual therapy session, Cheryl’s expansive knowledge and genuine compassion paired with her deep drive to help people are always on display at The Freedom Center. I began working in the treatment field for alcohol and drug addiction in January 2020, and it has provided me with a sense of purpose, as helping others has always been a passion of mine. I worked in construction prior to this field and needed a complete change in career as I was too suffering from substance addiction.
A Beginner’s Guide to the ‘Sober Curious’ Movement
- It’s important to be patient and kind to yourself as you navigate this path.
- Rather, it involves considering drinking less – and in some cases, not at all – and deciding to fit alcohol into your life more thoughtfully instead of mindlessly participating in drinking culture out of habit.
- “People who love you, love you for you, not for what is in your glass and they will support you if you ask them,” she says.
- If you’re ready to try a sober lifestyle, here are some first steps you can take to get started.
Her work is rooted in the belief that healing is a creative and deeply personal journey. She meets clients with the commitment to walk alongside them with respect, authenticity, and hope. Embracing these activities can bring a sense of joy and fulfillment, allowing individuals to discover new passions and explore different facets of their personality. By focusing on these positive experiences, the sober curious lifestyle can become a source of inspiration and personal growth.
Sober curious is a term sober curious that means questioning your relationship with alcohol and thinking about trying sobriety, even if you are not ready to commit to it. Vanessa is certified in addictions counseling by Maryland’s Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, with credentials as a clinical supervisor. She comes to The Freedom Center with over 14 years of direct experience in residential and outpatient treatment between the private and federal sectors.
Books that explore the sober curious movement
Outside of The Freedom Center, Corey enjoys playing golf, hiking and most of all being the best father to his three young boys. As an independent writer, editor, and reviewer she has authored hundreds of articles on medical topics from A through Z, bridging the gap between “medicalese” and plain language for the lay public. She also authors curricula and continuing medical education materials for health professionals from nursing assistants through board-certified physicians, including substance abuse counselors-in-training. Faith A. Coleman MD is a family medicine physician, which means she is trained and experienced in caring for patients of all ages and conditions, including their physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing. She is committed to serving her readers, whether the lay public or health professionals, with information that is current, relevant, reliable, precise and actionable.
Find Your Bezzy Community
Gen Z is often defined as a generation of change, and they are very aware of wellness, mental health, and mindfulness. The value of this stretches to lots of areas of life – work, for example, where Gen Z has set strong boundaries between their careers and personal lives, as demonstrated in our Voice of Generation survey. Today, people of all ages—especially millennials and Gen Z—are pushing back against the notion that consuming alcohol is a default or a necessity. This rethinking of drinking habits is fueling the fast-growing sober curious movement. How you structure your “sober curious” journey matters less than what you get out of it. If you’re interested in exploring a “sober curious” lifestyle, creating a plan and a support network are helpful first steps.
For example, it might mean giving up alcohol for a period of time, such as participating in Dry January, or it might involve gradually decreasing your alcohol use. It might also mean limiting yourself to a single drink once each week when you are out with friends or replacing your usual cocktail with a non-alcohol option. In the short term, it can increase interpersonal conflict, cause hangovers, change behavior, and contribute to injuries and accidents. It can leave you tired, cause an inflammatory response that affects your immune system, and interfere with daily life. Sober curious culture encourages a sober lifestyle, but welcomes individuals who aren’t willing, ready, or planning to give up alcohol completely. Judy is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Maryland, and a National Certified Counselor.
They can also prescribe medications that can help with withdrawal, cravings, and abstinence. Deirdre graduated in 2012 from Pace University and completed her bachelor’s at Columbia University in New York and has her Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner. Deirdre has extensive experience in mental health and treating substance use disorder related issues.
Cutting back on alcohol can improve your sleep quality, and you’ll soon notice that you are having more restorative sleep and waking up feeling rested and refreshed. This can improve mood, concentration, creativity, productivity, and mental performance. Although alcohol is a nervous system depressant and, as a result, can temporarily make you feel relaxed and fall asleep faster, it increases nighttime awakenings. Therefore, when you drink alcohol, you are more likely to get interrupted sleep throughout the night, even if you do not realize it.
