Are you ‘sober curious’? You’re not alone

For better or worse, Australian culture has long placed an emphasis on drinking – especially when it comes to social events. In 1974–75 – Australia’s ‘peak beer’ period – our country consumed the equivalent of 500 stubbies per person. But as people begin to invest more in their health and wellness, this looks set to change. According to research by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, alcohol consumption among Australians has hit a 50-year low.

Based on 2017 research, 63 per cent of Australian drinkers consume no more than two standard drinks per occasion, and 20 per cent of the population is abstaining altogether. This decline has been met with an inverse rise in a new movement: those who eschew the teetotaller identity – with its dour associations – and instead adopt the softer ‘sober curious’ label.

It’s a trend that Chris Raine – CEO of Hello Sunday Morning – has noticed. “There’s a greater level of young people abstaining. The culture is shifting,” he says.

Though Chris recognises that alcohol still plays a dominant role in Australian society. “Drinking is such a strong part of our culture – whether with friends, family, or in our professional life – that to make a choice not to can be jarring for a lot of people.”

One way Hello Sunday Morning is helping people make this transition is with Daybreak, a digital program that provides an active support community for those taking a break from drinking. “[Quitting] can be very lonely; you have to define who you are and what you care about. It’s not always a pleasurable experience, because it's really important to be accepted,” Chris says.

Daybreak seeks to provide a network that negates some of this loneliness. “People sign up and commit to their goals, and there’s peer support from those going through the same thing. Then we have coaching with drug and alcohol counsellors – and psychologists, if needed – to support people through trickier moments.” So far, the program has used 16,000 of the 20,000 licences it’s funded for by the federal government – meaning it’s been a hit.

But the trend isn’t just localised. Author Ruby Warrington (who coined the ‘sober curious’ label) hosts a podcast that has seen the likes of Moby extolling the virtues of sobriety. And alcohol-free bars (‘not just for drinkers, but for everyone’) are popping up in New York City. It seems as though young people all over the world are critically examining the role alcohol plays in their lives and deciding they’re better off without it.

Of course, there’s long been a portion of society who don’t drink due to issues with alcohol addiction. While it’s the experience of hitting ‘rock bottom’ that spurs many problem drinkers to seek treatment (for better or worse), the sober curious differentiate themselves by proactively redefining their relationship with alcohol before it becomes problematic.

What’s driving this sudden surge in sobriety? The popularity of general wellness tells part of the story. Globally, the health and wellness industry is worth a staggering $4.2 trillion – with healthy eating, nutrition, and weight loss accounting for $702 billion of that figure.

Chris points to the proliferation of information as being partly responsible, too. “Our society is becoming more open to a diverse range of perspectives and opinions, which is reflected in the technology we use. You can find different groups of people with different views so easily. We’re becoming a more tolerant and less stigmatising society, with more people interested in getting help.”

And since more people than ever are prioritising their wellbeing, awareness of the physical and mental consequences of excessive alcohol consumption is growing. The health benefits of abstaining are clear. Long-term alcohol use increases your risk of developing heart disease and hypertension. It can also induce fatty liver disease and – in severe case – cirrhosis. In 2016, the harmful use of alcohol resulted in some three million deaths – more than five per cent of all deaths – worldwide.

Beyond the physical impact, alcohol can have a dramatic effect on cognitive function – even when consumed at moderate levels. Many people reach for a beer or glass of wine to wind down at the end of a workday, but the belief that alcohol is a stress reliever deserves a closer look. While a few drinks can make you feel more relaxed (because alcohol is a sedative), long-term use can disrupt brain function and lead to increased stress and anxiety.

Demand for mature non-alcoholic beverages has also hit new heights, offering more refined options than the bar-standard soft drinks. These days, those who are abstaining can choose to sip on something like a ‘picnic smash’, made with Seedlip – a distilled non-alcoholic spirit.

Locally, Carlton & United Breweries launched Carlton Zero ¬after sales of non-alcoholic beer grew 57 per cent over the past five years. This trend bears out worldwide: Bon Appétit has reported that the market for low- and no-alcohol drinks is projected to grow 32 per cent between 2018 and 2022.

As more people question the role alcohol plays in their lives, it looks as though the ranks of the sober curious are set to swell. And in Chris’ opinion, this can only be a good thing. “Anything we use extensively deserves testing extensively. Even a small change in your patterns of drinking can have a significant effect on your mental health, your mood – even just your calorie intake.”

If you’re concerned about your drinking habits, DrinkWise has a comprehensive list of available support services.

Staff writers come from a range of backgrounds including health, wellbeing, music, tech, culture and the arts. They spend their time researching the latest data and trends in the health market to deliver up-to-date information, helping everyday Australians live healthier lives. This is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances. The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances 

Disclaimer:
The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional, tax or other advice. It does not take into account any individual’s personal situation or needs. You should consider obtaining professional advice from a financial adviser and/or tax specialist, or medical or health practitioner, in relation to your own circumstances and before acting on this information.