Debunking Common Sobriety Myths

Myth: You can’t have fun without drinking

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking life will be boring without alcohol.

You can find many other activities to fill your life without drinking. What is considered “fun” or “boring” is quite subjective, and you can make your life what you want it to be.

Life may actually feel fuller without alcohol, as it could open up new opportunities and possibilities for you to occupy your time rather than finding a place or time to drink (and recovering from drinking).

Depending on the amount of alcohol you may have consumed, activities may have been affected and not as fully experienced as they could have been.

This might mean outdoor activities, meetups with friends, and listening to shows or music in a way you hadn’t been able to do before, with the numbing effects of alcohol at play.

Myth: Not drinking doesn’t benefit your health

Research has long shown the possible effects and health issues that stem from drinking alcohol, especially heavy drinking.

For example, alcohol use raises your risk of developing cancer, such as:

• breast cancer
• colon cancer
• mouth cancer
• throat cancer

Alcohol can also affect your heart, liver, and brain health.

Myth: Alcohol is needed to unwind and relieve stress

Many people drink as a way to unwind.

While some research does show that light or moderate drinking may reduce stress, other research shows that alcohol actually increases stress.

But you don’t need alcohol to self-treat stress or anxiety.

Just like people can decide what they enjoy and what’s considered fun, you can do the same when it comes to stress relief.

Myth: There won’t be any drink options without alcohol

Hello, mocktails.

The introduction and popularity of nonalcoholic drinks can help reduce the amount of alcohol people drink, whether they cut alcohol out of their lives completely or reduce how much they drink.

You can find many alcohol-free options to choose from. Many of them come in the same glasses as those with alcohol. Most people won’t know the difference unless you make it known.

While restaurants and grocery stores are offering more alcohol-free drink options, many of these options are full of simple syrup and other high calorie additives. Here are some low calorie mocktail recipes to consider.

Myth: Drinking alcohol is part of my career networking

Alcohol doesn’t have to be an essential part of your job and career progression.

Yes, some work-related events and meetings may involve alcohol. There may be pressure from colleagues, clients, and peers to have a drink to establish yourself as a part of the team or to help further client relationships.

But this goes more to peer pressure and stigma than employment requirements.

You may stay sharper and more focused by not drinking. You’ll be more prepared to navigate business settings and questions without alcohol interfering with your mental function.

This may also help create a lasting impression on those around you, showing them that you have a business-first mindset that is not affected or distracted by alcohol.

Myth: Other people will judge you

Stigma and feeling judged by decisions not to drink can be overwhelming.

This may play a part in how you choose to disclose your concerns about drinking and how you decide to choose sobriety and stop drinking. Sober phobia is a real phenomenon that can prevent people from choosing to stop drinking.

But this isn’t a reality anymore.

A 2021 study shows that non-drinking environments and social situations may be more supportive than those where people are drinking. And more and more people, particularly young adults, are drinking less these days in the United States than in the past few decades.

The specific occasion, including whether it’s designed to focus on drinking or where you gather, may make a difference.

You may still need to be resilient and firm in your decision to remain alcohol-free, but know that you’re not alone.

The takeaway

Don’t let social stigma or peer pressure stop you from avoiding alcohol.

There are many possible reasons to argue against a no-alcohol lifestyle, but most of those are myths that don’t hold water when compared to the health benefits and overall quality of life benefits of not drinking.