How to know if You’re Sober Curious

Have you ever taken a moment to consider how you feel about alcohol? Most adults over the age of 18 have drunk alcohol at some point and most of them have at least one time questioned their relationship with alcohol-or better known now as sober curious.

Adults are advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to either refrain from drinking alcohol altogether or do so in moderation. And the rule of thumb is that two drinks a day for men is considered moderate drinking. One drink per day or fewer is the limit for ladies. However, the amount of alcohol that is advised for moderate drinking is frequently exceeded. For instance, a large number of people engage in binge drinking or heavy drinking.

So if you’ve ever had too much to drink, you’re definitely familiar with the struggle of having a hangover the next day. This can make you pause and consider how much you consume and whether you ought to modify your drinking routine.

What does Sober Curious mean?

For many people, drinking is a common pastime in both their personal and professional lives. Friends and relatives frequently get together for drinks informally or for special occasions like weddings. An open bar is frequently offered during cocktail hour after work or during professional networking events. On occasions like these, some people might find it challenging to control their intake.

The sober curious trend is for those who usually drink in a social setting but have thought about reducing their intake or cutting back. Sober individuals who are inquisitive often envision their life without alcohol and evaluate the role that alcohol plays in their lives, such as:

• How would giving up alcohol affect my social life?
• Would my pals still want to be around me if I stopped drinking?
• Would I discover more wholesome ways to deal with stressful situations?
• If I stopped drinking, might I adopt other good lifestyle choices?

A sober curious person will indulge in the occasional drink but takes the time to consider the role that alcohol plays in their lives. For a while, they might even completely abstain from alcohol to experience what it would be like to live soberly.

How did the Sober Curious begin?

In order to refrain from drinking alcohol, many people now observe Dry January. 2013 marked the first Dry January. The event was initiated by the U.K.-based nonprofit Alcohol Concern. This group is now called Alcohol Change. According to the Alcohol Change website, the Dry January public health program began with only 4,000 participants in the first year and increased to 130,000 by 2021. Participants in Dry January can be found in various nations, including the U.S., far beyond the U.K.

The sober curious movement, which includes Dry January, encourages people to put their drinking on hold and reevaluate their relationship with alcohol at any time. When Ruby Warrington first coined the phrase when she published Sober Curious: The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, Deep Connection, and Limitless Presence Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of Alcohol in 2018.

Helpful tips for managing alcohol consumption

The sober curious movement may encourage people to drink less but ultimately it’s up to the person to take control of their alcohol consumption. Here are some tips for embracing this movement and managing your alcohol intake:

Set objectives for yourself: People who are pursuing a sober curious lifestyle can benefit from setting and attaining goals. Because so many other people choose to participate, dry January can be a terrific place to start. Yet you can also choose your own goals such as deciding to abstain from alcohol on particular days or weeks, for instance.

Decide where you will drink: Many people indulge in alcohol when it seems appropriate. You can restrict the places and events where you drink and you could also opt not to drink at home, for instance. Alternatively, you can decide to limit your alcohol use to particular social occasions, like a dinner date with friends.

Examine different pastimes: A lot of social activities revolve around alcohol as a way to get people to unwind and socialize. Consider finding hobbies that don’t entail drinking if you find it difficult to keep from drinking in particular social settings.

Ask for help: Subtle or overt peer pressure can make remaining getting control of your alcohol consumption difficult. Inform your close family and friends of your sober experiment and request their support.

How we can help

Depending on your specific needs for physical and mental health care, let us assist you by offering you accredited, evidence-based anger management therapy for underlying depression, anxiety, or addiction. For your road toward recovery, we can serve as your professional partner and safe haven. For choices, a consultation, and more, get in touch with R&R Recovery IOP Treatment in Huntington Beach.