For those who see a difference, being sober means having gone beyond the initial stages of not using or drinking. These individuals are purposely choosing not to drink or use drugs. The path they walk on is a deliberate one, rather than one forced on them due to outside circumstances. They may be fresh out of a treatment program, have several weeks Twelve-step program of recovery under their belt, or be years into a sober life. There’s nothing wrong with choosing a “sober curious” lifestyle to improve wellness.
Sober as in “Not Drunk”
This fixation on abstinence requires that people who recover through the 12 steps decide that their lives revolve around an empty space. You can’t commit your life to nothingness, only to health, your goals and plans, and your belief in yourself. It is the avoidance of drugs alcohol, and the development of an entirely new lifestyle, social group, perspective, mentality, and even spirituality. Working with professionals in outpatient care and continued therapy can help challenge feelings of shame and add new strategies for healthy sobriety. Being sober empowers you to take control of your relationships, physical and mental health, and ambitions.
Reduce time with friends who drink
The best way forward for your recovery from alcohol or substance use is to incorporate a wide variety of strategies that will help foster success. Remember to care for yourself, seek supportive relationships, and consider seeking help from a therapist. Many people who misuse alcohol or drugs have trouble dealing with anger. If left unchecked, anger can have a negative impact on your health and your lasting sobriety. You may also experience what is commonly called sobriety fatigue, which refers to the overall exhaustion that may occur as a result of the emotional and physical stress of staying sober. So, it’s extra helpful to have a support network available to you when you need it.
Sobriety Goes Social: Sober Bars Are on the Rise
- Someone who is sober curious drinks occasionally but takes time to question the place alcohol has in their lives.
- Whether you’re stating a one-sentence response (“I don’t drink”) or using a small excuse, the only thing to consider is whether you are comfortable, and whether your boundaries are being upheld.
If you have ever drank too much, you are probably familiar with the next-day hangover. This might cause you to stop and think about how much you drink and whether you should change your drinking habits. Recovery offers you a lifelong, wonderful experience of getting to give life your best shot every day. Life isn’t about just not using on a daily basis, it is sober drinking meaning about having the human experience that is living as well.
- Under certain conditions, alcohol can negatively affect our bodies and personal relationships.
- Once you go into the rooms and share one time, you quickly realize you are so not alone.
- Another fan of the California Sober lifestyle reports that during the week, she stays away from booze because she finds it makes her anxiety worse but uses low-dose THC/CBD edibles to unwind before bed.
- Here, we unpack the sober curious movement, potential benefits and challenges, and where to get more information, or help and support.
It’s definitely possible to wake up one day and commit to being sober, and many people are successful at doing this. Still, there are general markers that those in recovery should be on the lookout for in their own behavior, as well as signs that loved ones and friends may also be able to identify. There’s a lot you can do to escape boredom without turning to alcohol.
- Most people who are in recovery from alcoholism have drinking dreams from time to time.
- Sobriety and working a Program helps you learn how to celebrate and feel good for that good news, without a substance.
- Understanding these terms provides a more nuanced view of sobriety, enhancing our grasp of what it means to lead a sober life.
- You may feel drowsy and fall asleep faster than usual, but alcohol can disrupt your sleep throughout the night, and you may have frequent awakenings, even if you don’t remember them.
- Sobriety isn’t accomplished all at once, and reaching new checkpoints, setting new goals, and seeing success in motion are all part of the transformative process.
- A sober life has many benefits, and exploring each can empower you to choose a sober lifestyle.
What are some benefits from taking a break from drinking?
It can be a good replacement for the release of endorphins caused by drinking alcohol. If you are invited to a bar or restaurant for a social gathering and want to take this approach to being sober curious, try to only attend events at places where alcohol isn’t the main focus. If you’re questioning the role alcohol plays in your life, you might be curious about what it’s like to lead a “sober life” without alcohol. You may have heard of “Damp January,” which is where people reduce their alcohol intake instead of giving it up completely. If you’re weighing the benefits of short-term sobriety, focus on what you’ll gain, not what you’ll lose.
‘Sober Curious’: What Does It Mean to Explore Life Without Alcohol?
The alcohol is just removed at the end, keeping you buzz-free and well on your way to a healthier lifestyle. For some, moderation management is more appropriate than cutting out alcohol altogether. That means drinking is limited to moderate, responsible amounts as defined by your personal goals or the more official Moderation Managementguidelines.
What Are Other Tools And Strategies For Maintaining Sobriety?
If someone is drinking heavily and frequenting social events as an excuse, then that would put them in another category altogether. Outpatient behavioral treatment consists of a wide selection of programs for patients who visit a behavioral health counselor regularly. Most of the treatment programs involve personal counseling or support groups, or both. One part of the recovery journey for some people is emotional sobriety. While some people can stop cold turkey for a time, lasting sobriety is typically accomplished by following a road of recovery.