Summer is coming, you can’t deny it – the sun is setting later now, St Andrews is dotted with beachgoers all decked out in swimsuits and sandals, and the pubs/beer gardens are steadily filling up. There have been so many times in the past couple of weeks that I’ve walked along North Street or The Scores, lined with tourists and students alike, relaxing with a pint or a martini in the sun. It’s just what happens – the minute the sun comes out, the drinks start flowing. In fact, I’d bet money that the pubs make at least double the money on a sunny day than they do any other time!
However, although we can see an increase in numbers at pubs and beer gardens, there is also a noticeable decrease in the number of young people drinking.
the sober curious movement
This is a result of what has come to be known as the ‘sober curious’ movement, which is often said to have begun in the late 2010s. The movement has been gaining traction over the past few years, and especially in light of more focused research on the effects of alcohol. Sober curious individuals are not all fully sober; many of them just choose to think more carefully about their own relationship with alcohol and how much they consume. In fact, exploring the possibility of not drinking allows you to try new things, such as non alcoholic versions of classic drinks like cider.
Young people are often stereotypically seen as those who drink the most alcohol compared to older generations. However, demand for non alcoholic wine and cocktails has been pushed by Gen Z. So, why are Gen Z showing more interest in drinking less alcohol?
Why the interest in sobriety?
Maybe it’s because of the huge amount of research that has come out in the past couple of decades about the dangers of alcohol. There are so many health conditions that are now linked to alcohol consumption that it’s hard not to get a little bit skeptical.
There are also so many alcohol horror stories, especially among university students. From getting drunk and then sending risky texts to friends or exes, getting lost and not remembering where you need to go, to fights and violence, and so much more. There are some truly wild stories out there, and not all of them can just be laughed off; some can never be lived down! Maybe people are put off by the thought of what they might do if they lose their inhibitions. Limiting how much alcohol you drink is an obvious way of reducing the risk of embarrassing moments.
And what about spiking? There’s been so much talk about how much of a problem it is, and, of course, the easiest way to avoid it is simply not to go out at all. Another option, of course, is to stay sober, which means you can be more aware of your surroundings and find it easier to spot dodgy behavior.
benefits
What about the benefits? Surely there are some benefits if people are doing it?
- Memories – it’s well known that alcohol can stop you from remembering things. That’s another of the alcohol horror stories – waking up not knowing what you did the night before. Not drinking saves the hassle of piecing together fragments of a night out.
- Saving money – we all know alcohol can be expensive and get out of hand quickly, so drinking less of it leaves more money to be saved or spent on other things.
- No risk of a hangover – I’m pretty sure we’ve all seen someone come to class obviously hungover, and it really doesn’t look fun! Being able to wake up with a clear head and energy in the morning really begins to sound attractive after a few consecutive hangovers, I bet.
Whether you choose to drink or not this summer, the sober curious movement is a great one to look into, with so many interesting articles and reports out there, as well as tips for how to stay sober. Even on the Her Campus website, there are numerous articles related to the search “sober”, like how to go out without alcohol or what to do instead of drinking, and nights out. There really is something for everyone!