Are You Thinking About Becoming Sober Curious?

When I arrived, reeking of booze from the evening before and makeup strewn down my face, I was confronted by two of my female roommates. Please note this is way beyond what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define as moderate drinking, by the way. The CDC suggests a maximum of 2 drinks per day for men and only one drink per day for women. Just like today, the olde version meant “in possession of one’s faculties.” Further back than that, the Latin word sobrius meant “without drunkenness.” But the word has come to mean a little bit more. According to the World Health Organization, there is no safe level of alcohol consumption that does not impact health. Think about how you will navigate situations where you might feel pressured to drink.

Sober Curious? A Brief History, Benefits, and How to Start

• But if you’re sober curious, you can remind yourself that there are many ways to socialize that don’t involve drinking, like seeing a movie or playing a sport.
• They are usually aimed at helping people live a substance-free, crime-free, sober life following treatment.
• They may have stopped drinking, but their life may be exactly the same, leading them to be jealous of others who are drinking or to struggle with emotional or mental health issues.
• After all, it’s to help them, and that’s what we care most about.

Establishing a routine with regular sleep and support group attendance can reduce stress and help you stay sober. This article will describe sobriety in more detail, the challenges a person faces while working to stay sober, the options for treatment, and tips for building a sober lifestyle. Having a decent place to live is the foundation for a healthy and stable life.

Mental health feeds into addiction issues

If you’re considering sobriety, even temporarily, know that you are making a health-minded choice by going alcohol-free. Other resources that can help include recovery support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and SMART Recovery. If you are interested in learning more about what it means to be sober curious, check out Ruby Warrington’s book or her accompanying podcast. You can also look for events hosted by Club Söda if you want to learn more. It’s also a good idea to start pursuing hobbies and activities that don’t involve drinking.

‘Sober Curious’: What Does It Mean to Explore Life Without Alcohol?

Regardless of the type of support system, it’s helpful to get involved in at least one when getting sober. Sober communities can help someone struggling with alcohol addiction deal with the challenges of sobriety in day-to-day life. Sober communities can also share relatable https://ecosoberhouse.com/ experiences and offer new, healthy friendships. And these communities make the person with an alcohol addiction accountable and provide a place to turn to if there is a relapse. According to a February article in the New York Times titled “What Does Being Sober Mean Today?

Sober But Miserable? You Could Have Dry Drunk Syndrome

There is an unfortunate connection between mental illness and addiction. Some people with substance use disorders turn to alcohol or drug use to self-medicate their emotional distress. For these people, part of recovery might be about learning how to process emotions in a healthy way. Amy first started drinking alcohol and using drugs when she was 14 years old.

Avoid Old Habits and Toxic Relationships

Alcohol addiction, also known as alcoholism, is a disease that affects people of all walks of life. Experts have tried to pinpoint factors like genetics, sex, race, or socioeconomics that may predispose someone to alcohol addiction. Psychological, genetic, and behavioral factors can all contribute to having sober alcoholic meaning the disease. Staying sober requires a person to analyze the reasons why they were using the substance, identify their personal triggers for relapse, and avoid falling into a pattern of use again. One study found that 68% of people treated in a detox unit experienced moderate alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

• There is an unfortunate connection between mental illness and addiction.
• Nature has been proven to increase levels of dopamine in our brains.
• The bill is currently waiting to go to committee in the Senate.
• Furthermore, it isn’t uncommon for those who binge drink to end up developing alcohol use disorder.
• From tailgating at sporting events and celebrating weddings to attending happy hours and networking events, we celebrate many of life’s greatest events with champagne, wine, beer, and cocktails.
• In the short term, it can increase interpersonal conflict, cause hangovers, change behavior, and contribute to injuries and accidents.

Sobriety is often a lifelong commitment that requires dedication, support, and continuous effort. While the path to sobriety can be challenging, it is also incredibly rewarding. However, modern interpretations of sobriety recognize that total abstinence may not be realistic or necessary for everyone. If any area of your life is out of control, it will not help you maintain lasting sobriety. Having a chaotic or disorganized lifestyle can also hinder your recovery. It’s important to develop a structured daily and weekly schedule and stick to it.

How to Get Sober Curious