Student life is hard. Whether it’s studying for midterms or finding a parking spot on campus, every day seems to bring a new challenge. The seasonal depression that hits right in the middle of the semester. The all-nighters spent doing homework. The financial burden of a well-rounded education. All of these combined with various personal issues can make student life difficult, and occasionally, you might want something to take the edge off. It could be something like playing video games, spending time with friends, or maybe it’s the odd drink. That being said, it appears that numerous millennials and Gen Z’s have been dismissing that last option, becoming more in favour of non-alcoholic alternatives. In a recent Leger study, it was found that 26 per cent of Gen Z and 31 per cent of millennial participants in Canada have reduced their alcohol intake, but why?
What does it mean to be sober curious? The expression was coined in 2018 by Ruby Warrington in her book Sober Curious (2018) and its impact has only grown since. Those of you who have been keeping up-to-date with the popular Netflix series Emily in Paris (2020) might already be familiar with the term. As Lily Collins’ titular character describes participants of the sober curious movement: “They’re not sober. They’re just exploring not drinking.” A missing, yet crucial detail is that, while exploring not drinking period is welcome, participants can also choose to simply explore drinking less.
Not to be confused with being sober, being sober curious means being mindful of how you interact with alcohol and exploring possible changes to your drinking habits.
There’s a number of reasons why you might be considering the idea. It’s possible you’re trying to save money or you just can’t stand the taste. Maybe you know someone struggling with addiction and don’t want to risk going down a similar path. If you’re like me, you’re trying to be more health-conscious, but who knows, perhaps it’s another reason entirely!
It’s no secret that when you invite alcohol into your body, it usually brings with it a list of health risks including liver disease, heart disease, and even cancer. Not only that, but there’s also a number of mental health related reasons why someone might consider being sober curious, especially considering that alcohol is a depressant. Drinking alcohol comes with a level of both mental and physical risk and part of being sober curious is making informed decisions regarding your relationship with drinking.
Interested in becoming sober curious? Here are some ways you might go about it:
Be conscious of your drinking habits. Before pouring yourself that glass of wine, take a moment to think about how many glasses you’ve had that week. How many bottles are currently sitting in your recycling? How much time and money have you been spending at the liquor store? It might be worth it to dig up past transactions and do a bit of math to get an exact number. As well as how often you drink, ask yourself why. Do you feel pressured by others or worried that you won’t fit in otherwise? Do you like the taste or has it become a coping mechanism? Whatever your reasons, it’s important to be aware of them.
Indulge in alcohol-free hobbies. Taking a well-deserved break from homework? Consider picking up some new interests like reading, exercising, crocheting, or playing a musical instrument. There are a lot of sober options out there to help keep your brain stimulated, and not only that, but there are events happening both on and off campus all the time! Whether it’s a book launch, festival, concert, or sports game, there’s usually something worth checking out.
Outline your plan. What does drinking less look like for you? Maybe it looks like not drinking for a set amount of time, or perhaps you decide to only drink on certain days of the week. Who knows, maybe you choose to replace that cocktail with a mocktail indefinitely. Whatever best suits you and your goals is the way to go.
One last piece of advice I have for you is to be mindful of potential challenges that may arise when lowering your alcohol intake. Are you experiencing any cravings? Do you find social events where alcohol is present difficult? When driving past the liquor store, do you feel a sense of longing? Making note of these things now can be helpful in lessening the risk of dependence later. As you power through the rest of the semester, consider exploring how the sober curious movement could fit into your life.
It’s important to note that being sober curious is not a replacement for professional help. If you think that you might be struggling with alcohol dependance, contact Abbotsford A.A.’s 24-hour help line at 604-615-2911.
