Author: Alex Thompson

Sober-Curious: Benefits of an Alcohol-Free Lifestyle

Getting sober was a lonely journey at first, but finding community has made all the difference. Most of us realize that alcohol is heavily woven into modern culture, but going alcohol-free is going to increase your awareness of the direct and indirect social pressures to drink. You’ll start noticing how many alcohol references you see throughout your day, and it will probably be annoying at times. You’ll also notice just how differently alcohol is treated than other mind-altering drugs, like how it’s the only drug that you have to explain why you don’t use it.

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  1. This is why we tend to have to pee more after we drink, and can quickly become dehydrated.
  2. Waking up and feeling good is the most natural way to be.
  3. Because you heard Kelly in that clip, say, I’ve been sober for about four and a half years.
  4. On the other hand, if you drink in moderation, alcohol doesn’t affect LDL and instead increases good cholesterol (HDL).

While alcohol is high in calories, and wine, beer, and mixed drinks add sugar to one’s diet, Kumar said that simply cutting it out may not always help you lose weight. When you stop drinking and start focusing on your health, you’ll likely start to feel better once your body is properly nourished. Alcohol can also trigger the release of chemicals called endorphins and raise levels of the “feel good” hormone dopamine. This can make you feel energetic and even extremely happy (euphoric) shortly after you drink alcohol, but the effects don’t last. Almost everyone will have moments of feeling worse before they feel better, experiencing a sense of being stuck or of relapsing either emotionally or physically.

The first days

And she says the relationships she’s built in those communities are much stronger. If you add in costs of drinking in social settings at restaurants, bars, and clubs, the amount might be more. In severe cases of withdrawal when symptoms are not treated, a person may experience generalized tonic-clonic seizures, delirium tremens, and even death.

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So if you live in a rural working-class area, for example, it might be much more difficult to get hold of decent zero proof options down your local pub. It takes four days to make because we want this complexity and it’s absolutely beautiful. And so I think as more bars start really, really, dropping their souls and making these actually wonderful drinks that take several days to make, the consumer will be like, “Okay, this is a complicated drink. But as it evolves now, what differentiates this idea now is very much as in line with Emily, which you just said. I went with zero proof, but framing in the positive, ’cause even non alcoholic has that no. And then there’s mocktail of course, which bartenders don’t really like that word, because they point out that mock means both to make fun of, and it means fake.

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So I think, yeah, there’s a whole kind of raft of changes that have moved young people back into the home or kept them in the home for longer and more where they’re socializing externally less. And I imagine that’s definitely impacting on young people’s drinking or nondrinking practices. It’s hard to miss the increasing popularity of non-alcoholic drinks, and the growing number of people choosing an alcohol-free lifestyle. Cutting out alcohol for 30 days can have benefits for those who drink more than the recommended limit of two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women. If you need a break from alcohol, going alcohol-free for a month or more can bring about many physical and mental health benefits.

And one other really quick number I’ll throw at you because these stories that you’ve been sharing are absolutely fantastic. And they’re talking a lot about, if you look at it from a really big picture point of view, it’s really about consumer choice. And one of the biggest drivers of the nonalcoholic market actually are people who still drink. So about the IWSR, and Distill Ventures released a study in October of 2022, and they found that about 82%, over 80% of consumers who drink nonalcoholic cocktails also drink alcoholic, or traditional cocktails. And we know that certainly young people are initiating drinking later.

Dasgupta said the best people to avoid alcohol always are those under 21 years old, and not just for legal reasons. “Again, depends on what the baseline alcohol consumption is,” she said. “The bottom line is, protect the heart with a low amount of alcohol, but increase the risk of cardiovascular disease with high amount of alcohol,” Dasgupta said. On the other hand, if you drink in moderation, alcohol doesn’t affect LDL and instead increases good cholesterol (HDL). Alcohol is metabolized by the liver and an enzyme called dehydrogenase.

Additionally, the time and resources previously dedicated to alcohol can be redirected toward creative sober activities, hobbies, or projects that enhance your skills and fulfillment. And even if your symptoms are mild, consider getting help to make you more comfortable. There’s no prize for suffering, and you may be more likely to start drinking again if you ignore withdrawal symptoms. While some detoxification protocols involve being admitted to a hospital unit or specialized “detox” facility, some people are able to get outpatient treatment that involves taking medication at home.

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It’s important to understand that cravings and setbacks are part of the process and they don’t mean that you’re unable to be alcohol-free. They just mean that alcohol had a bigger role in your life than you may have noticed. With the absence of alcohol’s empty calories, it’s possible that weight loss becomes more achievable. Additionally, your cardiovascular system benefits, as blood pressure stabilises, and the risk of heart-related issues decreases. Alco­hol is a depres­sant and can cause shifts in your mood and affect your men­tal health. Alco­hol boosts the sero­tonin lev­els in your blood­stream, caus­ing you to expe­ri­ence tem­po­rary feel­ings of hap­pi­ness.

My relationships with my close friends and family have improved tremendously. I am a much happier and healthier person to be around, and that makes a difference. I have learned how to communicate my needs and create boundaries, and I have more to give to others. 90% of my relationships have improved since going alcohol-free.

Sobriety also improved my mental clarity, which also has an impact on my spending. Feeling better about myself has led me to not needing to “prove” anything. I have been more mindful in what I purchase and when, and this has made a huge difference on both my financial health and my overall happiness. Unhealthy alcohol use can increase the risk of many serious health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and liver disease. Carrying around less guilt and shame, less anxiety, and less stress is a gift to every single cell in my body. When I was drinking, I was waking up hungover almost everyday.

This is your opportunity to dive deep, try out new practices, and discover the ones that resonate with your soul. Trust your intuition and be open to the possibilities that lie ahead. Celebrate the progress you make along the way and be gentle with yourself when faced with challenges. You have the power to transform your relationship with alcohol and create a life filled with joy, fulfillment, and emotional balance. So, let curiosity be your compass, and let the journey toward better mental health be one of self-discovery, growth, and infinite possibilities.