Sober Curious: What It Means and When to Take a Closer Look at Drinking
The sober-curious movement is a societal shift that’s good to see. It’s opened more people up to the idea that they could benefit from cutting out or reducing alcohol, even in the face of a society where drinking–including unhealthy drinking, at times–has historically been normalized.
If you’re learning about the sober curious movement, you might wonder what it means. Is it for people with problematic drinking behaviors only, or are there other reasons someone might become sober curious? How does it differ from sobriety? How do the two intersect?
No matter what drives you toward the sober curious movement, know that cutting out alcohol is a positive thing. And, if you do need support with it, there are resources that can help.
What Does Sober Curious Mean?
Sober curious means that you’re questioning your relationship with alcohol, experimenting with drinking less, or choosing alcohol-free periods without necessarily committing to lifelong sobriety at this time. People might be sober curious for a variety of reasons.
Why More People Are Becoming Sober Curious
The sober curious movement has grown tremendously in recent years. Over time, we have learned more and more about the harmful effects of alcohol on well-being. People may become sober curious due to benefits such as:
- Mental health
- Better sleep
- Fitness
- Productivity
- Cost
- “Hangxiety”
- Social media awareness
- Alcohol-free drink options
- Wanting to feel more present
Common myths such as “one glass of wine per day is good for your health” have been debunked. The general consensus among experts is that no alcohol (or as close to it) is best. Even for the average person, we now know that no level of alcohol consumption is safe for human health.[1]
Sober Curious vs. Sobriety
Being sober curious may involve exploration or moderation as opposed to total abstinence. While some have, many people who are sober curious haven’t experienced problematic drinking. It is a lifestyle choice. A person who is sober curious is someone who is curious about how cutting out or reducing alcohol could improve their life or health for any reason: saving money, health and wellness, realizations about toxic drinking culture, a possible negative relationship with alcohol, or something else.
Sobriety typically means choosing not to drink with the goal of lifelong abstinence. Often, if a person says they’re sober, it means that they’ve identified some form of problematic drinking behavior in their past. When this is true, recovery may involve professional treatment and support. This is critical, as not drinking is a deeper process when alcohol has become hard to control. For example, if a person tries to quit or reduce the amount of alcohol they use but struggles to do so, seeking more support matters.
Questions to Ask About Your Relationship With Alcohol
Some, but not all, people who are sober curious are actively questioning their relationship with alcohol. If you’re wondering whether you might have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, ask yourself:
- Do I drink more than I planned?
- Do I use alcohol to cope?
- Do I feel anxious or ashamed after drinking?
- Have I tried to cut back and struggled?
- Do I hide how much I drink?
- Do I feel like social life requires alcohol?
- Do people close to me worry about my drinking?
We’ll talk about this shortly, but it doesn’t mean you need to label yourself if you answer “yes” to some of these questions. Instead, it likely means that you’re onto something and that support would be helpful.
When Sober Curiosity May Point to a Drinking Problem
In some cases, curiosity can be the first sign you’re noticing a pattern. If that’s true for you, you’re likely drawn to the sober curious lifestyle because you’ve identified that alcohol is having a negative impact on your life, no matter how small or large, in some way. This is a powerful realization. At times, being sober curious can stop alcohol use disorder (which can range from mild to severe) from developing or getting worse.
If cutting back feels difficult or alcohol is creating consequences in your life, alcohol addiction treatment can help you understand what is happening and what support may fit. For example, attending an outpatient program now could prevent the need for a higher level of care later.
You Do Not Have to Label Yourself to Ask for Help
You don’t have to identify as an alcoholic to get help for alcohol. Professionals in the substance use disorder field, in fact, want you to get support, even if you don’t meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder at this time. Not only can it prevent the disorder in those who could develop it, but it’s also important to acknowledge this: people benefit from having a place to talk about their goals or what’s going on in their lives. If that’s being sober curious, that makes sense, too.
Support for those who want to stop or decrease drinking can come in many forms. It could mean seeing a therapist once per week so you can talk to them about why you drank and how stopping or reducing your use is going, starting an intensive outpatient program that meets a few days per week, going to a free peer support group (like Alcoholics Anonymous) that’s open to both alcoholics and non-alcoholics, or something else.
Taking the Next Step With Honesty and Support
Reflecting on your relationship with alcohol is something to be proud of. While not every sober curious person will need professional help on their journey, some will. If alcohol feels hard to manage, we’re here for you. Call Sanford Behavioral Health’s confidential admissions line at 616.202.3326 verify your insurance coverage, or contact us online to get help with your next steps.
FAQs
What does sober curious mean?
Sober curious means that you’re curious about cutting out or reducing your alcohol intake. People who are sober curious might experiment with limiting the amount they drink or ceasing alcohol consumption. The curiosity can come from many places, but it generally boils down to wondering if drinking less or not drinking would be a positive change for the person.
Is sober curious the same as sober?
No. Sober curiosity can involve some level of moderation, as opposed to sobriety, which generally focuses on lifelong abstinence as the goal. Being sober curious is more of a lifestyle choice or way to explore how cutting out alcohol might improve your life and health.
Does being sober curious mean I have a drinking problem?
No. While some sober curious people are exploring whether alcohol could be a problem in their lives, people can be sober curious for many different reasons.
References
[1] No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health. (2023, January, 4). https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/04-01-2023-no-level-of-alcohol-consumption-is-safe-for-our-health
