Have you ever wondered what your life would look like without alcohol? Is alcohol that one friend that’s invited to literally every event, even if you wish they weren’t? Do you immediately reach for a bottle when you’re stressed, then find yourself more stressed after drinking but can’t seem to stop? Does the ‘all or nothing’ mindset of sobriety scare you a bit? Do you feel like you don’t have to drink, but you end up drinking anyways and then regret it?
If you’ve asked yourself any of these questions, or you’re simply wondering if your life could just be better with little to no alcohol, then you, my friend, have already entered into a state of being sober curious.
What Does It Mean to Be Sober Curious?
According to Ruby Warrington, who coined the term ‘sober curious’ and 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, the definition of ‘sober curious’ is: “to choose to question, or get curious about, every impulse, invitation, and expectation to drink, versus mindlessly going along with the dominant drinking culture.” Essentially, it means exploring your relationship with drinking and understanding how that relationship impacts your life; you’re curious about if a fully sober or temporarily sober lifestyle is right for you.
Is Sober Curious Different from Sobriety?
Being sober curious is not the same thing as being sober. Being sober is a way of life that’s often the result of suffering from alcohol addiction or alcohol use disorder. Being sober curious is the ability to question or change your drinking habits for personal reasons, typically related to mental and physical health.
Is Being Sober Curious Right for Me?
Many people who explore being sober curious often find themselves:
- Only drinking socially; they don’t crave a drink daily
- Drinking the same or less than others in their friend group
- Drinking in ways that don’t hurt themselves or others
- Never hitting ‘rock bottom’ or jeopardizing their personal or professional lives
- Not identifying as an alcoholic or heavy drinker, but still wondering why they drink at all
Anyone can benefit from sober curiosity, and it’s important to know that not everyone who drinks misuses alcohol or has an alcohol addiction. And being sober curious doesn’t have to be a permanent change either. Some people choose a certain length of time to stop drinking, whether it’s one week, one month, one year, etc., while others simply prefer to say they’re sober “for now” and will decide when and if to drink again in the future. Both options are great because the benefits of not drinking alcohol can be seen almost immediately.
What Are the Benefits of Not Drinking?
Some of the benefits of not drinking are:
- Weight loss
- Lower blood pressure
- Lower blood sugar
- Sleeping better
- Clear skin
- More energy
- More insulin resistance
- Less fatty buildup around the liver
- Improved mental health
- Better nutrient absorption
One of the most important benefits of being sober curious and not drinking alcohol for any period of time is that you’re able to take a more honest and clearer look at alcohol’s impact on your life, your relationship with it, and how much – or little – you actually prioritize it. When you have a healthy relationship with alcohol, you tend to be able to take it or leave it, and sober curiosity gives you the space to learn where you stand.
When Does Being Sober Curious Not Work?
If you suffer from AUD or alcohol addiction, we don’t advise that you attempt to cut alcohol out of your life without supervision. Alcohol withdrawal can be incredibly dangerous and should be done under the care of a medical professional.
Find Support at Women’s Recovery
At Women’s Recovery, we offer care for women in Colorado who are ready to stop drinking and change their relationship with alcohol. If you or someone you know might be struggling with alcohol use disorder or addiction, and you’d like to learn more about us, contact us today online or by calling us at 833.654.2454.
