Are Gen Z growing up sober curious?

Sobriety is becoming more and more popular amongst Gen Z, and whilst that may not be obvious walking down West Street on a Wednesday, the fact remains. People are swapping martini’s for mugs of tea and wine for water. But what prompted this shift, and why are so many young people so sober curious?

The first thing that comes to mind when toying with the idea of giving up drinking is the health benefits. No more hangovers or drunken injuries (I cannot tell you how many times I have fallen down the stairs in Tigers). This will be replaced by mental clarity, hydration and a good night’s sleep. It sounds like a dream. I mean, when you think about it logically, giving up drinking makes so much sense! And yet, you’ll still find me shamefully walking into my Thursday lectures with a slice of toast and the remnants of last night’s face paint. I have gone back and forth so many times, and have even done sober nights out. Yet I’m still constantly contemplating why I haven’t given it up yet. 

I think drinking has always been the norm and a really easy way to socialise. How many times have you been for a drink on a first date? Or made the best memories in a club with your flatmates? Freshers week feels like it goes hand in hand with drinking. It’s literally designed to take the edge off meeting new people and moving to a new city with an overwhelming amount of booze. It’s an integral part of university life, or at least it was.

I don’t think the drinking culture we have at uni will ever disappear, but there is certainly more of an emphasis on finding activities outside of the club and pub. Societies which are known for using drinking as forfeits or as a way to blow off steam are now seen organising day trips to all sorts of places and encouraging casual sobriety. 0% alternatives seem to be more popular and stocked in all of your favourite places. Likewise, Sheffield has so many fun things to do that you don’t need to rely on the pub for your weekly dose of socialising amid essays and lectures.

Once upon a time, you were branded “boring” if you didn’t drink and now I have people telling me they respect me when I say I’m not drinking on a night out. Before “I’m never drinking again” was a false promise made with your head in your hands after a rough night but now, it’s become a genuine sentiment. I haven’t converted fully yet but I do understand why so many people have given up drinking and so many more are ready to. 

Edited by Marianne Hamilton