Though Sarah believes see-
ing sober influencers on Instagram
is “really cool on the one hand”,
particularly as a counter-narrative to
the tired image of a “shifty guy in a
mack with a brown paper bag”, she’s
also wary of how the “shinier” side of
sobriety might affect those dealing
with alcohol dependency.
“If you’re struggling with an
addiction and what you see is that
shiny, Instagram-filtered end of the
spectrum, that can feel incredibly
alienating and unattainable.”
For Sarah, it’s being aware of the
many “nuances” between different
people’s experiences with – and rea-
sons for – becoming sober.
“In lots of ways, [the sober curious
trend] is a pretty great thing. Even if
you’re not somebody who has an ad-
diction, our relationship with alcohol
as a nation has been super weird. The
things that are normalised... it’s like
we’ve forgotten somewhere that alco-
hol is, like, poison. Even the way that
getting completely hammered is still
seen as a bit of a laugh, you know?
“I think the fact that it is trending
is a good thing. We need to sort our re-
lationship with alcohol out as a nation
because... it’s a little bit fucked up.”
ON THE ROCKS
So, perhaps Britain’s love affair with
alcohol is finally on the rocks? And
while there are many different shades
of sobriety, and being sober in and
of itself should not be considered a
trend, the tendency to give not-drink-
ing a try, aka mindful drinking or the
“sober curious”, is without a doubt
trend-ing.
Though certainly not a call for
all to put down their pints, stopping
to reflect on our drinking habits is
always going to be a healthy thing to
do and, if more of us are encouraged
to do so through social organisations
like Club Soda, breweries like Drop
Bear and social media accounts
like Sober Girl Society, then that’s
bloody wonderful.
However, alongside that shift-
ing culture, we mustn’t confuse
those who have the luxury of being
able to “dabble” in sobriety with
those who experience and struggle
to overcome alcohol addiction. These
two ends of the sobriety spectrum
are wildly different beasts, and it's
important to remember that for
many people, low alcohol beer isn't
an option as it's a little too close to
the real thing. And while things are
certainly changing, there also needs
to be an even bigger shift in drinking
culture for many pubs and clubs to
feel like safe spaces for sober people.
As for me? Well, for the moment,
my #sobercurious journey continues.
Whether I keep going along this path
or decide to take a detour, one thing’s
for sure – my view on drinking culture
won’t ever be the same again. Now
that I’ve seen things from this new
vantage point, I’m not sure I can un-
see them...
Besides, discovering that I can, in
fact, enjoy dancing (like a total knob)
until the early hours without needing
to have a single drink? That, my friends,
has been a simple, but truly worthwhile
discovery. Cheers to that, folks.Looking to drink a little more mindfully? Visit
joinclubsoda.com and search Queers Without
Beers. If you, a friend, or a family member needs
support with alcohol addiction, consider visiting
alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk or addaction.org.ukGIVE IT A GO
FANCY EXPANDING YOUR NON-ALCOHOLIC
HORIZONS, BUT NOT SURE WHERE TO START?
CHECK OUT OUR FAVOURITE SOBER SELECTIONS...JOELLE & SARAH
Drop Bear Beer Co. – Yuzu Pale Ale, 0.4%
Dry-hopped with refreshing floral and grapefruit hops, a splash of yuzu
bursts through the caramel base to create a perfect harmony of flavours.DANIELLE
Big Drop Brewing Co. – Stout, 0.5%
With notes of coffee, cocoa nibs and a lingering hint of sweet vanilla, this
beer is dark, rich and indulgent.SARAH
Square Root Sodas – Various flavours, 0.0%
Small-batch sodas, shandies, tonics and cocktails handmade in east
London – in bottles and on draught.If you like...
real ale,
Adnams’
Ghost Ship,
0.5%If you like...
craft lager,
Brooklyn
Brewery’s
Special Effects,
0.4%If you like...
shandy,
Lowlander’s
Wit,
0.0%If you like...
cider,
Celtic
Marches’ Holly
GoLightly,
0.5%Drop Bear Beer at Mindful
Drinking Fest 201951FEATURES | MINDFUL DRINKING