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Sober Curious: Alcohol-Free Movement is on the Rise

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Sober curiosity is changing how we think about alcohol consumption and is contributing to a movement that is re-branding alcohol-free choices. The term, coined by the British journalist Ruby Warrington,  is also the title of her new book which places thoughtful emphasis on what motivates us to drink and how we feel when we consume alcohol. Below are examples of new trends that could help advanced sober curious crusaders [1].

New studies show that internationally, people would like to drink less and research also shows that in some places, Millenials are drinking less. One international cross-sectional survey involving 21 countries found that 33% of the respondents indicated they were interested in drinking less alcohol over the next year [2]. When participants were asked why they would like to cut down on alcohol consumption, some of the main reasons included being healthier, while others experienced an alcohol-related trauma or event like a sexual assault that motivated a desire to change drinking habits [2]. Another study explored recent trends in non-drinking among UK Millennials to understand the motivating factors as to why this younger generation was abstaining from alcohol consumption or delaying initiation of alcohol. This study found that on average, younger people were abstaining from alcohol and while the exact reasons are unknown, the authors posit that a combination of strict alcohol laws and policies, a desire to be healthy and more widespread knowledge of the harms of drinking are shifting the social and cultural norms that are influencing drinking behaviors among younger people [3].

Overall, alcohol sales are on the decline, and some are capitalizing on this new trend positively. For example, there is a growing number of events in different cities that are connecting sobriety to other topics of interest (i.e., entrepreneurship). So instead of alienating non-drinkers, there are new opportunities for people to connect and be social without any pressure or stigma to drinking. In addition many bars and menus are enhancing their “mocktail” menus (of alcohol free drinks) and cities like New York and Chicago proudly boast about sober or booze-free bars (and pop-up bars) that exclusively serve mocktails and cater to the sober crowd or sober professional that still wants to socialize and have a good time[1, 4].

Sober curiosity aims to normalize the right that every individual has to completely abstain from drinking alcohol or to say no to alcohol at any given moment, for whatever reason. Ruby Warrington was interested in creating a term that engenders a safe alcohol-free option for people who still wish to participate in social functions where alcohol typically plays a role. A sober curious philosophy embraces lifestyle choices for people who might be more conscious about other health issues and actively trying to sleep better, engage in physical activity, and make healthier eating choices. To demonstrate the popularity of this topic and the budding interest that might be representative of a more significant trend, there are now smartphone apps and a podcast titled Sober Grind dedicated to exploring sober curiosity in more depth [5].

It’s up to us to pick our poison as they say, but at least now maybe there will be fewer eye rolls if a non-alcoholic beverage is the drink of choice. At the very least, it’s a conversation starter and hopefully allows both drinkers and non-drinkers alike to reflect.

References

  1. Fallert, N., Why you’re likely going to hear more about being “sober curious”, in Vox. 2019, Vox Media. https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/3/26/18267092/sober-curious-nonalcoholic-drinks-spirits
  2. Davies, E.L., et al., Motivations for reducing alcohol consumption: An international survey exploring experiences that may lead to a change in drinking habits. Addict Behav, 2017. 75: p. 40-46.
  3. Ng Fat, L., N. Shelton, and N.J.B.P.H. Cable, Investigating the growing trend of non-drinking among young people; analysis of repeated cross-sectional surveys in England 2005–2015. 2018. 18(1): p. 1090.
  4. Frishberg, H., NYC’s sober bar scene is a ‘hip’ oasis for booze-free fun, in New York Post. 2019: New York. https://nypost.com/2019/04/23/nycs-sober-bar-scene-is-a-hip-oasis-for-booze-free-fun/
  5. O’Brien, S.A., People are sick of drinking. Investors are betting on the ‘sober curious’, in CNN Business. 2019: New York. https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/08/tech/alcohol-alternative-sober-curious/index.html

The Biological Differences in How Women and Men Experience Alcohol Use

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New research has shown that men and women experience drinking alcohol differently. These findings are a reason to pause and reflect on our drinking habits and norms and to ask ourselves why we drink, how much do we drink and when are we drinking the most. Additionally, advertising firms are quick to exploit our weaknesses in pursuit of profit. There is a surprising parallel between the sharp increase in women’s alcohol use (especially high-risk drinking) and the rise of Skinny Girl brand and Mommy’s Night Out wines and others that are specifically targeting the female drinker [1]. While the occasional drink imbibed responsibly in a social environment is not the target of this blog, it might surprise you to learn of the following biological differences of alcohol use among men and women that could be contributing to potentially harmful drinking-related outcomes.

  1. Women and men drink for different reasons.

Depression and other poor mental health outcomes have long been linked to alcohol use and substance abuse[2]. New research suggests that a driving factor for women to consume alcohol is a negative reinforcement where women are trying to hide or mask an underlying stressor. There is a body of evidence that posits that adolescent girls are twice as more likely as their adolescent boy counterparts to experience depression. Adolescent girls who experience stress-related activities might be more likely to turn to alcohol and drugs in early adulthood to cope[3]. Other research has shown that the association between substance abuse and depression is more pronounced in adolescent girls than adolescent boys [4]. While the exact interaction between women’s mental health and alcohol use is still being explored, evidence suggests that women are more likely to drink if they experience some combination of depression, stress and or anxiety or sexual trauma or sexual abuse [5, 6]. These are examples of negative reinforcement, and they are the primary drivers motivating women to drink.  While men, on average, are more likely to be motivated to drink associated with higher thrill-seeking behaviors, lower inhibitions, and other behaviors that can be categorized as positive reinforcements.

  1. Women and men react differently to alcohol consumption.

On average, men tend to have lower levels of reaction to alcohol consumption compared to women. Studies on women and men’s alcohol behavior suggestion that since men tend to exhibit low alcohol reactivity that they may consume more alcohol to feel its effects and gradually this behavior, if sustained can lead to a higher tolerance and possibly dependence [6].  Women appear to react much quicker to the effects of alcohol. Also, studies comparing the effects of drinking in women and men found that women display greater deficiencies in motor and cognitive skills compared to men when both the women and men had the same amount to drink. This same study also showed that as the participant’s continued to drink over several days that the men developed a tolerance and reacted less strongly to the alcohol whereas the women’s negative reaction and increased sensitivity to alcohol became even more pronounced [7]. 

  1. Women face higher alcohol-related health risks than men.

Women who consume more than one alcoholic beverage a day are at risk for numerous health issues compared to men whose drinking patterns exceed moderate levels. For example, when compared to men, women are more likely to have inflamed livers, have increased risk of heart disease, and have an increased risk of breast cancer. Additionally, while there are several differing opinions and advice on how much alcohol a woman should consume when pregnant, the ruling advice is for pregnant women to avoid alcohol entirely while pregnant or even if they suspect they are pregnant to protect the developing fetus. Some of the biological reasons that women experience more significant health risks than men are due to the fact that on average, women’s body weight is lower compared to men, pound for pound women’s bodies contain less water than men, so women’s blood alcohol level is affected quicker, and estrogen levels influence how women’s livers process alcohol differently than men [8].  

In the US and many other countries around the world, it is the social and cultural norm to drink especially at certain functions or social events like weddings, sporting events, and festivals to name a few. While drinking is often deeply rooted in our norms, it never hurts to have health-related information to guide our decisions and occasionally serve as a barometer for when a fun activity turns into a hazard. Women should be aware of the additional risks that drinking poses for them not necessarily to abstain from alcohol together but to continue to drink responsibly if they so choose.

 

  1. Grant, B.F., et al., Prevalence of 12-Month Alcohol Use, High-Risk Drinking, and DSM-IV Alcohol Use Disorder in the United States, 2001-2002 to 2012-2013: Results From the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related ConditionsPrevalence of Alcohol Use, High-Risk Drinking, and DSM-IV Alcohol Use DisorderPrevalence of Alcohol Use, High-Risk Drinking, and DSM-IV Alcohol Use Disorder. JAMA Psychiatry, 2017. 74(9): p. 911-923.
  2. Ramsey, S.E., P.A. Engler, and M.D. Stein, Alcohol Use Among Depressed Patients: The Need for Assessment and Intervention. Professional psychology, research and practice, 2005. 36(2): p. 203-207.
  3. Nolen-Hoeksema, S., Gender Differences in Depression. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 2001. 10(5): p. 173-176.
  4. Hallfors, D.D., et al., Which Comes First in Adolescence—Sex and Drugs or Depression? American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2005. 29(3): p. 163-170.
  5. Poulin, C., et al., Gender differences in the association between substance use and elevated depressive symptoms in a general adolescent population. Addiction, 2005. 100(4): p. 525-35.
  6. Champion, H.L., et al., Adolescent sexual victimization, use of alcohol and other substances, and other health risk behaviors. J Adolesc Health, 2004. 35(4): p. 321-8.
  7. Dougherty, D.M., J.M. Bjork, and R.H. Bennett, Effects of alcohol on rotary pursuit performance: A gender comparison. The Psychological Record, 1998. 48(3): p. 393-405.
  8. NIAA. Women. 2019; Available from: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/special-populations-co-occurring-disorders/women.