Dry January is a yearly tradition, wherein people stop consuming alcohol for the duration of the month. While this is a great start for those who are looking to make a change, Gen Z is taking things one step further.
They have cut out alcohol altogether and studies show that this is not an isolated moment. A Google report shows that there is a “general decline amongst this younger audience.”
Now, there is a term to describe this trend and it is known as “sober curious.” This term is used to describe those who are not interested in drinking alcohol.
There are a number of reasons for this cultural shift. Some of these youngsters have seen the effect that alcohol has on others, while others are more worried about the potential effects on their personal health.
“I have seen how alcohol can impact people in the worst possible way,” said TikTok user @jeniferbmedia.
“When I was 10 years old, I decided I was never going to drink to the point of getting drunk,” she added.
@jenniferbmedia #stitch with @absenceofproof also, you can just like… choose not to? #fyp #nondrinker #soberlife #foryoupage #mocktails #sober
Some have chosen not to drink at all, while some enjoy “mocktails,” drinks that utilize all of the typical alcoholic beverage ingredients….except for alcohol.
“The aesthetic mocktail girlies working endlessly to normalize sobriety for gen z and carrying the sober curious community on its back,” says TikTok user @drinkcrispandcrude.
Of course, there are many who find themselves at parties, even though they do not drink. Those who continue to consume alcohol in this age group are stunned by what they see.
That does not diminish the resolve of any of these kids.
@drinkcrispandcrude we love you 💕#mocktails #mocktailgirlie #sobertok #sobercomedy
“I go to one of the top 10 party schools in the country,” @clairecancook shares. “When I tell people I don’t drink, they’re usually shocked, assume I have a problem or I’m judging them for drinking themselves.”
That is not the case at all, though. These kids are making the decisions that they feel are best for their needs.
@clairecancook Coolest mocktail drinker at the partayyyy feat. @drinksurely & @Ghia #sobercurious #college #mocktailrecipe #mocktail #collegelife
As Gen Z moves towards the creation of safe spaces and looks to be more inclusive, this trend is only going to become more pronounced. Fortunately, this is one trend among the kids that we are more than happy to get behind.