Sober curiosity is a social movement that is growing in popularity around the world. More people are wanting to redefine their relationship with alcohol, choosing when or if they drink. Some people who are sober curious may only want to be sober from alcohol temporarily – a week, a month, a year – while others may decide they want to be permanently sober from alcohol. The parameters do not have to be defined, can be different for everyone and can change over time.
Nonalcoholic beverages, such as mocktails, energy drinks and more, can be alternatives to alcohol for people who are sober curious.
People who are sober curious often find that they can still have a good time and develop all types of relationships without alcohol. If you decide to become sober curious, you may also notice health benefits. Even during a short break from alcohol, people have experienced:
- Improved skin and eye health
- Weight loss and lower blood pressure
- Improved mental health and mental clarity
- Improved liver health
- Improved sleep
Is Sober Curiosity Right for Me?
If you currently drink alcohol, you may benefit from being sober curious if you:
- Want to try making friends and enjoying yourself without alcohol
- Do not want to experience hangovers, even for a short time
- Are interested in improving your health
- Want to change your relationship and/or perceptions surrounding alcohol
If you decide to become sober curious, here are some tips:
- Tell others that you plan not to drink and the duration of time you plan on not drinking. This can provide support and help you to be accountable to whatever goal you set for yourself.
- Enlist the support of friends/family members who can do activities with you, drink nonalcoholic beverages with you, attend social events without alcohol, etc.
- Find a nonalcoholic beverage that can serve as a substitute that you really enjoy, just also be aware of any potential health risks. For example, some energy drinks can lead to heart conditions, anxiety or insomnia. Also, some nonalcoholic beverages can be high in sugar and caffeine. Consider drinking any beverage in moderation.
If you are looking for some additional support, some options are:
- A support group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous
- Outpatient therapy
- Medication management
- Residential treatment centers
If you’re not sure what type of support would be most beneficial to you, don’t hesitate to seek out an assessment by a professional mental health practitioner who can help guide you. Depending on how much and how regularly you drink, it may be necessary to seek assistance to stop drinking alcohol.
If you drink every day or nearly every day or experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking – such as tremors, heightened anxiety or any more severe symptoms – you should seek an assessment by a professional before trying to stop drinking on your own. Some people don’t realize their bodies have become dependent on alcohol and mild symptoms can escalate quickly, for some even becoming life-threatening without medical attention. Rest assured, there are many ways to get the help needed!
UofL Health – Peace Hospital offers assessments free of charge to anyone who comes into our Assessment & Referral Center. Additionally, assessments are offered through every other UofL Health and UofL Physicians location. The assessment clinician will help you determine what level of care will be most helpful for you, such as:
- Outpatient resources through various community agencies
- Intensive outpatient programs (learn more about UofL Health – Peace Hospital Adult Outpatient Services)
- Inpatient treatment for a medically-treated detox from alcohol (learn more about UofL Health – Peace Hospital Inpatient Services and UofL Health – Mary & Elizabeth Hospital – Medical Detox)
