Sober curiosity is often defined as having the option to choose, to question, or to change your drinking habits for health-focused reasons (mental and/or physical).
Sober curiosity has gained traction recently, that they are calling it the 'sober movement'. So you may be wondering, what exactly is it? And what does it mean to be sober curious? Being sober curious, does that mean I'm an alcoholic?....because I'm not.
“Sober curious is a movement that involves becoming more aware of your drinking and developing a healthier relationship with alcohol. The sober curious approach is ideal for people who tend to drink socially and do not have an addiction or dependence on alcohol.”
Redefining your relationship with alcohol, where you take charge of your life without using alcohol as an escape, and/or coping mechanism. This is what will change your life. A lot of modern society, uses alcohol as a crutch. All of these are unhealthy behaviors surrounding alcohol, that need addressing.
Unhealthy Behaviors with Alcohol:
Drinking Alone
Drinking Alone usually signals underlying issues and/or causes that need to be addressed that alcohol will not solve. The alcohol and media industry has brainwashed us to think having a drink after a day at work, or due to stress will fix all of your problems, but that's rarely the case. Drinking alcohol is not self-care. There are a lot healthier ways to cope with stress, which include exercising, taking a bubble bath, meditation, or journaling. The list goes on. Drinking alone can also signal, you are feeling lonely, and that's never a feeling you want to ignore, that's when it's time to reach out to friends/family.
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Binge Drinking
Binge Drinking is a more common one, but like myself, when I was in my early 20's it categorized as normal because you're young and that's what you do....right? Not exactly. This type of behavior can cause lasting affects to your health. It can land you with relationship problems, financial problems, and overall lost time and regret. When you binge drink, you have a lapse in judgement. You don't need to binge drink to "have fun".
Moderate alcohol consumption*: Per CDC. Men: No more than 2 drinks per day. Women: No more than 1 drink per day.
Arguments while drinking
While you may think the arguments are called for, and you have every right to argue. While drinking is not the time. The conversation can take place at a different time. If you notice that you continue to argue, as silly as they may be, it's time to reconsider your relationship with alcohol. This will do wonders for your relationships: Family, friends, boyfriends, and/or girlfriends.
Always needing to drink to be intimate
A lot of people, both men and women, have issues with this. If you always need to take the edge off to go on a date, to be with your significant other, to have the hard relationship conversations or sex. Relationships are hard. Dating is hard. Having a drink seems to take the edge off, but it sets you up for creating an unhealthy relationship. Having to drink to have sex, is a major red flag. This sets you up for all sorts of issues, like consent, boundaries, and lack of true intimacy.
Drinking in social situations
Drinking sometimes during social events, is considered normal, BUT sober curious dives into how often you need to do this. Is it with certain people? Is it because you have social anxiety? Or do you do it because that's how you've been programed? Are you doing it because everyone else is? These are questions the sober curious dive into. Just know if it's because you don't like your in-laws, or you're really not liking or enjoying your time with certain people. You can set healthy boundaries.
Drinking to be happy / to calm your anxiety
Never drink when sad or upset. Never drink to make you happy. Alcohol is a depressant! So if you are drinking to make yourself happy or get yourself out of a slump, like many tried to do during the pandemic, alcohol is not the answer. Alcohol will improve you mood for a short amount of time but it brings you right back to the low, while it temporarily relieves the low mood, the long term effect only gets worse. Sober curious means drinking only while happy /celebrating. Since alcohol is a depressant, if you are reaching for it while feeling anxious because it calms you down, then that's also something to take a look at. It could signal an underlying anxiety disorder that needs treatment. A lot of people with anxiety, PTSD, depression are at high risk for drinking to ease the issues - then the issues are exasperated. If you already know you have an Anxiety/Depression disorder, and you take medicine, a lot of the medication doesn't allow for drinking and drinking on top of it can be an issue.
Alcohol consumption rose among adults over age 30 by 14% during the pandemic, with a 41% increase in women heavily drinking, according to a September 2020 RAND Corporation.
So overall, if any of this resonates with you, it's recommend you join our Sober/ Sober Curious group. Join a tribe of ladies, just like you, who want to rediscover their relationship with alcohol and work on themselves. This is a safe place to share your struggles, share your success and deal with life without alcohol. This is a place for healing. This is a place for rediscovering yourself without buying into what the media is selling you. To live healthy and well physically and emotionally.
We wish you the best on your journey to self discovery, whether with us, or on your own.
