Alcohol is part of many of our traditions. We toast a new couple at a wedding or the New Year with champagne. Tailgating often requires beer. Happy Hour is a regular networking event. Yet, we don’t just celebrate with alcohol, we also use it to soothe stress or sadness. Alcohol is present in celebration, mourning and everything in between.
However, events like Dry January show many of us what life would be like without alcohol. We are becoming sober curious, a term credited to Ruby Warrington, author of the book “Sober Curious: The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, Limitless Presence, and Deep Connection Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of Alcohol.”
Is being sober curious right for you? Here’s the information you need to consider this lifestyle change.
What does it mean to be sober curious?
“[Being sober curious] means, literally, to choose to question, or get curious about, every impulse, invitation and expectation to drink, versus mindlessly going along with the dominant drinking culture,” says Warrington in her book.
You may quit alcohol for a time, or you may practice mindful drinking, where you thoughtfully choose when you drink. Ultimately, the goal is to become more aware of your drinking habits, understand why you are drinking in the first place, and be more conscious of your alcohol consumption.
How do I know if I have an alcohol problem?
We spoke to Krisanna Deppen, MD, the program director of the OhioHealth Grant Medical Center Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program for insights.
Some signs of alcohol use disorder are:
- You have built a tolerance for alcohol, so you need to drink more to feel the effects.
- When you don’t drink, you feel withdrawal symptoms like shakiness, hallucinations and sleeplessness.
- Your drinking is negatively impacting your work or home life.
If this is true for you, Dr. Deppen suggests seeking help. It can be a life-and-death situation. “More people die from alcohol every year than opioid overdoses,” she says. Dr. Deppen recommends finding treatment immediately by visiting FindTreatment.gov. If you are in treatment and need additional support, she says that Alcoholics Anonymous and Smart Recovery are great resources for local support groups.
She also recommends talking to your primary care provider. “There are medicines and other treatment programs available,” she says. If you don’t have a primary care provider, please visit the OhioHealth Find a Doc webpage.
If I don’t have alcohol use disorder, do I have to quit drinking forever?
It’s OK if you aren’t sure you want to quit drinking. Stop for a month to see how it feels. Quitting alcohol for one month can lower your blood pressure and risk for alcohol-related diseases. Use the time to better understand the role alcohol plays in your life.
What are some health reasons for choosing sobriety?
There is evidence that we would be healthier if we drank less. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledge that drinking any amount of alcohol can cause both short-term and long-term harm – from accidental injury to the increased risk of cancer. They recommend that adults don’t drink at all or limit themselves to two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women.
Studies have shown that even one drink per day can increase our risk of breast or colon cancer. Drinking also increases our risk of heart disease, stroke, liver disease and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.
Are the common cultural perceptions about sobriety true?
Being sober curious does not make you a party pooper or a Debbie Downer. Many people become sober to have more energy and feel more connected to life. “Alcohol doesn’t make you more fun; it limits you. Sobriety may make you a more authentic version of yourself,” Dr. Deppen says.
What steps can I take to start exploring sobriety?
First, build a support system. Then, start mindful drinking habits by making smarter choices involving alcohol. For example, alternate your alcoholic drinks with water or nurse a drink more slowly. When you are ready to quit drinking alcohol for good, find substitute beverages you like. Do what is reasonable for you and at your own pace.
What are some strategies for dealing with temptation?
“Strong cravings for alcohol are a sign you may have a problem, and you should seek medical treatment,” Dr. Deppen stresses.
However, if temptation is more socially related, you can overcome it. First, identify the trigger, like a holiday gathering or a certain group of people. Then, plan to handle temptation in a healthy way or avoid it altogether. Call a friend to talk or stay busy with activities you love. Also, ask friends and family if they are sober curious, and form a sobriety circle to hold each other accountable. If you have a setback, remember that sobriety is a journey, not a destination. One mistake does not erase your progress.
Regular social drinking has become so common that many of us find it unusual when we meet someone who chooses not to drink. However, 1 in 10 Americans have an alcohol use disorder, and more than 140,000 people die from alcohol abuse yearly. These are valid reasons to explore a sober life.
