The rise and trend of the sober curious

How the term ‘sober curious’ is improving my world.

Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash

Growing up, you’re almost expected to take up a drinking habit at some point in your life. It might be a hidden bottle of vodka at a friend’s house when you’re seventeen or it might be a frat party when you first start going to college. Or blacking out on your 21st birthday. But the temptation is always there, and it’s there during the vital years that you’re learning about who you are as a person. It guides you while you’re living on your own away from family for the first time and through all the homesickness you experience.

But I’ve noticed that now there’s a shift in the demographic. More of the younger generation is abstaining from alcohol or drinking far less than anyone I had known when I was that age. More nights of remembered events. More connection to your fellow humans.

So what does sober curious mean anyway?

From an article on NPR, sober curious people came from ones who had tried ‘Dry January’ or ‘Sober October’ and liked the benefits. Instead of wanting to get blackout drunk every night or weekend, people are opting for events that don’t include alcohol at all.

I admit though. When I first heard the term sober curious, it frustrated me. The definition of sober curious are people who…