American Addiction Centers Cautions Against the 'Sober Curious'

The “sober curious” movement, also known as “sober sometimes,” can seem great on the surface. People experiment with limiting their drinking or taking a break from alcohol, including challenges like “Dry January” and “Sober October.” But Missy Pollack, an Alumni Coordinator for American Addiction Centers, warns that the growing movement could harm people living with addiction.

Although people re-evaluating their relationship with alcohol is a positive, Pollack explains, the idea of being “sober curious” can be potentially damaging for several reasons.

1. The term may cause individuals in recovery to question their sobriety.

Addiction is a complex disease that alters the brain. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, our brains are wired to “teach” us to repeat pleasurable activities. Substances like drugs and alcohol produce surges of dopamine that cause changes in neural connectivity. These changes make it easier to instinctively repeat the pleasurable activity over and over, ultimately forming a compulsive habit.

For this reason, people who struggle with addiction should abstain from all substances. With a taste of any substance, the addiction is triggered, along with the craving for more. The “sober curious” movement may prompt some individuals to think, “Alcohol wasn’t my problem. I can have a drink or two without using my drug of choice.”

Of course, this is not the case. Someone with an addiction can’t drink just a little bit or indulge only occasionally. Pollack says, “One is too many and a thousand never enough.”

2. “Sober curious” diminishes the significance of sobriety.

People with addiction don’t have the luxury of being curious about sobriety. Their sobriety must be fought for, and maintaining it is a challenging, lifelong journey.

The choice to become sober is not made lightly. Most often, it occurs after broken relationships, ruined finances, legal issues, and health crises. Becoming sober requires a complete lifestyle change, including parting ways with certain friends and transforming lifelong behaviors and patterns. Sobriety and recovery are accomplishments worn with pride. They’re difficult, uncomfortable, and both physically and emotionally draining.

Despite the positive intentions behind the “sober curious” movement, the term itself may send the wrong message. It can suggest a lack of commitment and effort. The goal of being “sober curious” can be abandoned with no consequences, which is the opposite of true sobriety.

3. “Sober curious” influencers may exert too much influence.

Social media influencers are often viewed as “experts” by impressionable followers, even when this is not the case. Influencers offer advice on lifestyle choices, diets, and more. However, they rarely have the credentials to provide this advice.

For example, many influencers promote “detox teas” that have no clinical trials demonstrating their efficacy. Some of these detox teas are unhealthy and unsafe. Influencers’ social media followers continue to purchase these products, despite information and advice from true medical professionals and experts.

Pollack says that she has similar concerns about “sober curious” influencers. While participating in an online community has its benefits, taking important health advice from a celebrity with no credentials is dangerous. Influencers are people, and it’s important to remember that the number of followers someone has does not indicate their level of knowledge, expertise, or reliability.

It’s fine to take the opinions of influencers into consideration, but people should do their own research and stick to what they know has been successful with their own sobriety. If you need a medical opinion, turn to medical experts. And if you have questions about addiction, look to trusted resources like the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, or Alcohol.org.

4. Suddenly limiting alcohol consumption is dangerous for some.

Many people with addiction don’t realize the severity of their problem. In 2016, an estimated 17.7 million adults aged 18 or older needed substance abuse treatment but did not receive it. For 95.5% of these individuals (16.9 million), the reason for not receiving treatment was that they didn’t feel it was needed. For these individuals, suddenly cutting back on alcohol can be dangerous.

When a person suddenly stops drinking after heavy, prolonged use, they experience withdrawal symptoms. The brain has adjusted its chemistry to compensate for the heavy drinking habit, and it takes time to readjust. In the meantime, the brain becomes temporarily confused and struggles to properly regulate certain body functions.

Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms commonly occur about eight hours after the last drink, peaking about 48-72 hours later. Mild symptoms include vomiting, muscle weakness, anxiety, headaches, insomnia, sweating, and shaky hands.

For those who are more heavily dependent on alcohol, serious and potentially life-threatening symptoms, like seizures, may occur. Some people also experience hallucinations, high blood pressure, fever, a racing heart, and confusion.

People with alcohol addiction need professional help to safely detox and ease the pain or discomfort of withdrawal. Upon hearing about the “sober curious” movement, those who don’t realize the severity of their problem may be motivated to stop or cut back on their own. Unfortunately, this well-meaning decision can have serious consequences.

So, is the “sober curious” movement bad?

Pollack clarifies that the “sober curious” movement itself is not bad. Focusing on wellness by limiting alcohol consumption should be encouraged. It’s also a positive that the movement has inspired people to take a closer look at their relationship with alcohol.

Still, she says, the movement shouldn’t take away the power the word “sober” holds for individuals in recovery. The sentiment of the movement can continue without overlooking the true meaning of sobriety or the struggle it can take to achieve it.

In addition, it’s important for people to know that simply limiting alcohol consumption does not work for everyone and that doing so is dangerous for some. For those who truly struggle with alcohol addiction, more support is needed in the form of professional help and treatment.

Treatment for Alcohol Addiction

The quick fix promoted by the “sober curious” movement is not effective for individuals with addiction. True recovery is long-term hard work. It means making major lifestyle changes, following a program, and staying the course even when it becomes challenging or uncomfortable.

Fortunately, professionals like American Addiction Centers can help. They use a whole person approach to addiction treatment, addressing contributing factors like your lifestyle, health, environment, and co-occurring mental health disorders.

At locations across the United States, American Addiction Centers provides a customized program of research-based addiction therapy, individualized treatment, and aftercare planning. Your aftercare plan will anticipate the challenges you may face after treatment and equip you with strategies to overcome them. With such comprehensive treatment services, it’s no wonder that the success rate of American Addiction Centers is double the national average.

If you, a family member, or a friend needs help overcoming addiction, call American Addiction Centers at 888-769-7194. For resources and information on alcohol abuse from trusted professionals, visit Alcohol.org.

The “sober curious” movement isn’t for everyone. Know that if you need additional support to make real, lasting change, help is available.

Follow American Addiction Centers on Facebook