Do you like to have a glass of wine to relax in the evening? How about a beer hanging out on the weekend? Had a few too many hangovers lately? Do you wonder what life would be like without alcohol?
Sober curious means an individual chooses to avoid alcohol for personal or health reasons by experimenting with sobriety. It involves curiosity about the way alcohol affects daily life.
Sober curiosity isn’t new. Sobriety challenges like Dry January have encouraged people to reevaluate alcohol use and what it means to live a sober life - the benefits and the challenges.
Benefits Of Being Sober
Drinking frequently or in excess can result in effects like hangovers, trouble sleeping and more long term effects like liver disease, and even alcoholism. Any of these can be motivating factors to improve health by experimenting with being sober.
The less chemicals and toxins are added to the body that aren’t supposed to be there, the more benefits you’ll notice.
Improved Focus and Memory
No waking up with hangovers, no fuzzy memories from the night before, and the realization that being present is better than numbing reality.
Improved Sleep
While some might find it easier to fall asleep after drinking alcohol, it doesn’t mean good quality sleep. According to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, Alcohol interrupts REM sleep and a body’s chance to get the restorative benefits from good sleep.
Increased Energy
More restorative sleep leads to more energy.
Better Weight Management
Stopping the munchies that come with drinking alcohol can lead to better eating habits that naturally improve weight management.
Healthier Skin
Drinking alcohol introduces toxins into your system. When sober, skin naturally becomes healthier - dark circles around the eyes fade, wrinkles can iron out and even acne fades.
Living A Sober Curious Lifestyle
Going sober curious allows the opportunity to see how sobriety might fit into your life.
When weighing the benefits of short-term sobriety, focus on what you’ll gain instead of what you’ll lose. The key lies in exploring your relationship with alcohol.
Set A Time Frame
Some choose to avoid alcohol for two weeks, one month, or one year. Record the positive changes not drinking makes in your daily life.
Find Social Activities That Don’t Involve Drinking
Consider inviting friends for a walk, a trip to the beach or park or restaurant.
Find A Like-Minded Group
Many sober social groups gather online and in-person, and they’re not necessarily for recovering addicts. Try a new fitness class, meditation, pick up a musical instrument or learn a new language.
Try Non-Alcoholic Alternatives
Non-alcoholic beers, spirits and mocktails make it fun to try out new drinks and local spots without alcohol involved. Or head to a Sober Bar where people gather for hours to sip handmade mocktails, talk, dance and listen to speakers and sober musicians.
Getting Help For Addiction
If you or somebody in your life seems to have an issue with alcohol or drugs, or is suffering from addiction, professional help may be the best option for recovery.
At Care Addiction Center, we offer treatment plans that address every facet of your addiction, serving individuals in Geneva, Batavia, Sycamore, St. Charles, and Kane County, with online addiction treatment available anywhere in Illinois.
To get started on the road to recovery, or if you have questions about helping yourself or a loved one, call us today or schedule a confidential assessment online and begin treatment.