An increasing number of TikTok creators are adopting a lifestyle trend known as ‘Sober Curious’. To be sober curious is to increase mindfulness on drinking habits in order to reflect on whether we are causing ourselves more harm than good. TikTok users are spreading this trend through movements such as ‘Damp January’ to promote harm reduction.
Whilst there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a pint or two with friends, many of us upon introspection may find that we’re spending too much time thinking about alcohol, or squandering vast swathes of cash on pints every week. Whilst not technically in the dreaded ‘Alcoholic’ territory, there’s no harm in taking a step back to ponder what the downsides may be.
Reason 1: To gain perspective on Alcohol – Damp January
A popular example of sober curious intentions is to participate in Damp January (Not to be confused with Dry January). Whilst Dry January consists of committing wholly to zero alcohol intake for the month, Damp January is a more pragmatic approach whereby you continue to drink but with added reflection.
The goal of Damp January is effectively to ‘check yourself’ in order to spot any dangerous habits that you may have been overlooking, should they exist. The short-term benefits of alcohol can gradually descend into long-term struggles in unfortunate circumstances, with self-reflecting serving to spot a meander into unhealthy habitual drinking before it can take hold.
Sober Curious TikToker @Hana.Elson regularly posts about her Damp January advocacy. In a 2022 post, she lists many of her tips that she states has helped her relationship with alcohol:
- Starting with a mocktail as your ‘getting ready’ drink
- Water between each drink
- Add Lower ABV options
- Walk into environment sober first before drinking
- no shots
- no hard alcohol
- Always sticking to the same alcohol one night
- Cinderella nights (nothing good happens after midnight)
The focal point of Hana’s tips are primarily to consume less pure alcohol over a longer period of time in addition to not relying on alcohol as a crutch for social anxiety. If you find that you use alcohol as a crutch for social anxiety, stress, boredom, or low mood, it may be a sign to continue researching alcohol harm reduction.
Reason 2: The Unfortunate effects on brain health
There’s many chemicals in the brain that are profoundly impacted by drinking alcohol. Two of the most prominent interactions concerned when drinking alcohol are GABA & dopamine. Having a dysfunction in either can cause significant issues with your day-to-day life. Naturally, the more you drink the higher the risk of experiencing side effects.
GABA
The main calming effect from alcohol is from a neurotransmitter known as GABA. Drinking alcohol raises GABA which “slows down your brain by blocking specific signals in your central nervous system, producing a calming effect”, per Cleveland Clinic. Whilst this is desirable for the short-term, overdoing alcohol regularly can lead to chronically low levels of GABA when you aren’t drinking. Consequently, this can potentiate low mood, stress and anxiety long after you put the drink down.
One study shows that it can take up to a month for your receptors to normalise after quitting a drinking habit.
Dopamine
Studies looking into interactions with dopamine in the brain from alcohol abuse suggests that for habitual problem drinkers it can become increasingly taxing to focus on hobbies, desires, jobs, and many other facets of your life. It’s difficult to state how much and how long you must drink to reach debilitating levels of functioning; the amount is different for everybody. Nevertheless, if you find that you’re daily life is becoming increasing tolling and subsequently upping your alcohol intake, it’s something to keep an eye on.
Reason 3 – Finances
Heading to the bar is a sure-fire way to punishing your wallet. Some sober curious TikTokers have reported spending upwards of hundreds of dollars a week on bar spends. After totalling Uber rides, food, frivolous spends, hangover spends, and everything else you get up to during drunken escapades, the results can be astounding.
Taking time off alcohol can cause surplus cash to quickly rack up, with some TikTok creators poking fun at their newfound wealth.
Popular Sober Curious TikTok Trend Videos
There’s no debate that alcohol can bring positives to the short term, such as social lubrication and relaxation. However, some users are pointing out the bizarre nature of normalised alcohol consumption.
TikTok user @stopdrinkingcoach amassed 20 million views as of 2024 by laying down his strong opinion on the substance. He questions the normalisation and prevalence of alcohol despite its unquestionable status as a strong-addictive substance.
Commenters on Sober Curious videos often express their struggles experienced when attempting to recalibrate their relationship with alcohol.
![Sober curious TikTok users posting about sobriety and damp january](https://megasplain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/tiktok-users.png)
But How much alcohol is too much?
Healthy drinking levels are around 14 units a week spread over three days or more, per NHS. 14 units of alcohol equates to around six 4% ABV beers. Doctors state that there is no safe level of drinking, but ultimately, the decision on how much is too much is on the onus of the individual. Everybody has the right to decide how much is enough for them and in many cases it will exceed health guidelines.
That is the beauty of Sober Curious. Consider it a tool that empowers people to take stock of their habits to determine how to move forward. As the old adage goes, moderation is key. A little bit of everything doesn’t hurt. But, it may pay dividends to be curious of sobriety, and to consider the potential benefits to be reaped on the other side. Cheers!