{"id":51167,"date":"2024-12-12T13:46:19","date_gmt":"2024-12-12T21:46:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/?p=51167"},"modified":"2025-09-26T14:26:29","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T21:26:29","slug":"what-does-it-mean-to-be-sober-curious","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/news\/what-does-it-mean-to-be-sober-curious\/","title":{"rendered":"Are You Sober Curious? Learn Why This Trend Is Growing"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"article\">\n\t<header class=\"header\">\n\t\t<span class=\"type\"><\/span>\t\t<h1>Are You Sober Curious? Learn Why This Trend Is Growing<\/h1>\t\t<time>December 12, 2024<\/time>\n\t<\/header>\n\t<div id=\"block_499447bf0983dd564cb69913b79ca2b6\" class=\"shs-block block-news-article entry-content\">\n\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<p>Have you ever wondered what it would be like to skip that glass of wine with dinner or pass on drinks at a holiday gathering? You are not alone. Trends like Sober October and Dry January are gaining momentum as more people join the \u201csober curious\u201d movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-does-it-mean-to-be-sober-curious\">What Does It Mean to Be Sober Curious?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The sober curious movement is about re-evaluating your relationship with alcohol. It encourages people to think about how drinking impacts their health and happiness and to try taking breaks from alcohol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBeing sober curious isn\u2019t about making a lifelong decision to never drink again,\u201d said <a href=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/patients-visitors\/find-a-doctor\/burns-lauren-1568091296\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lauren Burns<\/a>, a registered dietitian at <a href=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/find-a-location\/samaritan-lebanon-community-hospital\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s about discovering what life might be like without alcohol and making thoughtful choices about your drinking habits.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For many people, alcohol is a key part of social events and a common way to unwind and manage stress. The sober curious journey encourages people to be mindful about drinking choices, instead of just sticking to old habits or social expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-being-sober-curious-has-its-benefits\">Being Sober Curious Has Its Benefits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Embracing a sober curious lifestyle offers a range of benefits beyond just rethinking your relationship with alcohol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cExploring sobriety can open doors to a richer and more healthful life,\u201d said Burns. \u201cPeople who take a break from alcohol often report feeling mentally clearer, having more energy, and enjoying better sleep, along with an overall boost in their health and well-being.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cutting out alcohol frees up your liver to work on more important things, like regulating your energy metabolism. Taking a break from alcohol can significantly improve serum lipids (like triglycerides) and reduces your risk of developing fatty liver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Burns, ethanol, a main ingredient in alcoholic beverages, is considered a macronutrient. Ethanol is produced when yeast ferments the sugars in fruits, vegetables and grains. It has the potential to be used for energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMany people dislike the sugar found in alcohol, but often overlook the energy density of ethanol itself which boasts roughly 7 kcal per gram, as compared to 4 kcal per gram in sugar,\u201d said Burns. \u201cIf you are closely monitoring your energy intake for any reason, considering alcohol\u2019s contribution will be an important factor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Plus, skipping drinks means you will save money that would otherwise be spent on bar tabs, restaurant tabs and event drinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-start-your-journey\">Start Your Journey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To start, Burns advised taking some time for self-reflection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTake a moment to evaluate your current drinking habits, why you drink, how it impacts your health and relationships, and what motivates you to make a change,\u201d said Burns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Start with goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound. Let your small, achievable goals work toward your larger vision for your health and lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cConnecting with sober curious communities, local or online, can also provide support and encouragement,\u201d said Burns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-alcohol-free-alternatives\">Alcohol-Free Alternatives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Being sober curious often means finding alternatives to alcohol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPeople rarely follow through with behavior change if they are focusing on what they cannot have,\u201d said Burns. \u201cInstead, consider what you might add to your palate versus what you\u2019re taking away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Burns recommended exploring a range of beverage options to discover what suits your taste. Here are some ideas to consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mocktails<\/strong>:  These creative, non-alcoholic cocktails can be as delicious as their alcoholic counterparts. Experiment with seasonal berries or garden fresh herbs for a nutrient dense refreshing beverage. For a delicious and easy recipe, check out this refreshing <a href=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/news\/red-white-blue-mocktail-recipe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">non-alcoholic mocktail recipe<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Non-Alcoholic Wines &amp; Beers:<\/strong>  Breweries and wineries are increasingly offering non-alcoholic options that capture the spirit of traditional beverages without alcohol.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sparkling Waters<\/strong>:  Refreshing and bubbly, sparkling water can be a great substitute for a cocktail.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hot or Iced Tea:<\/strong>  A versatile choice with many flavors that can be enjoyed warm or cold.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lemonade:<\/strong>  A wonderful way to enjoy a sweet, tangy drink without alcohol. Arnold Palmer, anyone?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Kombucha:<\/strong>  This fermented tea has a tangy flavor and is a healthy option with its probiotics that help with digestion. Burns noted that Kombucha contains trace amounts of alcohol leftover from the fermentation process. If you are looking for 100% abstention, look for kombucha that has had the alcohol removed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.niaaa.nih.gov\/alcohols-effects-health\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn<\/a> more about the <a href=\"https:\/\/adf.org.au\/insights\/sober-curious\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sober curious<\/a> movement.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Concerned about potentially drinking too much? <a href=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/news\/am-i-drinking-too-much\/\">Recognize<\/a> these key signs. <\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<aside>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/glass-of-holiday-wine-CO.jpg\" class=\"attachment-cta size-cta wp-post-image\" alt=\"A glass or red wine with golden bokeh in the background. The photo has a holiday feel.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/glass-of-holiday-wine-CO.jpg 360w, https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/glass-of-holiday-wine-CO-300x250.jpg 300w, https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/glass-of-holiday-wine-CO-120x100.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/figure><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/kombucha-fermented-tea-325-CO.jpg\" class=\"attachment-cta size-cta\" alt=\"Colorful jars of kombucha fermented teas.\" \/><figcaption>Kombucha tea provides the natural benefit of probiotics. But if you\u2019re not brewing your own, be aware that high amounts of sugar in many store bought brands can make them closer to a soft drink than a healthy beverage!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\t\t<\/aside>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With a nod to the holidays, learn how the sober curious movement is inspiring a mindful approach toward alcohol. Dietitian Lauren Burns with Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital explains.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":51257,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","_shs_workflow_notes":"","_shs_exclude_from_navigation":false,"_shs_promote_article_on_blogs":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"news-topics":[293],"news-types":[270],"services":[251,248],"specialty":[47,46],"class_list":["post-51167","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","news-topics-wellness","news-types-feature-article","services-nutrition-services","services-mental-behavioral-health","specialty-nutrition","specialty-mental-health"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51167","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51167"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51167\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/51257"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51167"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51167"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51167"},{"taxonomy":"news-topics","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-topics?post=51167"},{"taxonomy":"news-types","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-types?post=51167"},{"taxonomy":"services","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/services?post=51167"},{"taxonomy":"specialty","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/specialty?post=51167"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}