Minneapolis – A movement called “Sober Curious” is helping some people rethink their relationship with alcohol, helping them to be more mindful about when they choose to drink, rather than drinking out of habit.
One result of this is the rise of non-alcohol (NA) bottle shops across the country. Erin Flavin owns two such shops in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area. Like many people, she realized she was drinking too much during the pandemic.
“Every day was already a happy time and especially with homeschooling a 7-year-old and a 3-year-old running around, it was all very stressful,” Flavin said.
According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 10.5% of people aged 12 and older had an alcohol use disorder in the past year. This is up from 5.3% of the same population in 2019. (Fox News/Mills Hayes)
Flavin’s business, Marigold, produces beverages containing THC and mushrooms. One of their most popular products is their adaptogen drinks, which contain herbs that boost the body’s ability to cope with stress.
“I’m 46, and I really want to know how I feel. I’m learning how to deal with my problems in a healthy way,” Flavin said.
According to NCSolutions’ Consumer Sentiment Survey in January, America’s drinking culture is changing. More than 40% of Americans said they want to drink less alcohol this year. About 84% still think drinking is a big part of America’s culture, down 9% from 2023.
An article from USA Today shows that North Dakota and Wisconsin are the two states with the highest rates of binge drinking, with 25.99% of people ages 12 and older reporting binge drinking in the past month. Millennial Kelsey Banks, a Wisconsin native, agrees with this study.
“The drinking culture there was like a party every weekend. You go out every night. You have fun with your friends,” Banks said.
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The bank said it usually abstinence from alcohol He would consume alcohol moderately during the week, but would drink around 10 pegs on weekends, which is considered alcohol abuse.
“I think the Sober Curious movement helped me take steps to change my attachment to alcohol,” Banks said. “In six months, I’ve lost 20 pounds. I don’t need medication for blood pressure, and that has made a huge difference in my health journey. And I’m more aware of how I feel inside and out.”
The bank said she was once full Dry JanuaryThis year she decided to start early and try to stay sober after January ended. By the third week she was ready for a Bloody Mary or a beer, but health podcasts and books about trying to stay sober helped her stick to her plan.
“It can be quite difficult to come out of your shell without alcohol, because it’s a social lubricant. So, it took me a while to understand how to be myself without alcohol,” Banks said.
Erin Flavin loves talking to customers at her NA bottle shop. She says most people are curious about their offerings. (Fox News/Mills Hayes)
Market research company Fior Markets estimates that the global non-alcoholic beverage market will grow from $923 million to $1.7 billion by 2028.
But alcohol abuse isn’t over yet.
“The most prevalent substance we treat is still alcohol,” said Lydia Burr, director of clinical services at Hazelden Betty Ford in St. Paul.
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Burr says many people across the country are suffering from opioid addiction or marijuana-related problems. He says drug abuse is on the rise everywhere, regardless of a person’s age.
“I think it’s very important that people know that there is no safe amount of alcohol to drink. There is no healthy amount of alcohol to drink,” Burr said. “But that doesn’t mean that drinking alcohol causes a person to have a substance-use disorder. A large portion of the population can drink alcohol without any negative consequences.”
Although many people use substances to deal with their anxiety, depression or other mental health issues, Burr says solutions exist to treat or manage these problems, such as evidence-based practices and coping skills.
Kelsey Banks said cutting down on alcohol helped her lose weight and get off blood pressure medication. She still drinks on certain occasions, but says changing her drinking habits has been a positive experience for her. (Fox News/Mills Hayes)
“There is help available,” Burr said. “Treatment doesn’t necessarily mean residential 24-hour treatment. There is some type of treatment and help that can fit their life. We want to meet people where they are.”
Zero Proof Nation tracks non-alcoholic beverage stores and bars around the world. Laura Silverman has been drunk more than once Decade cool When he created the site in 2019.
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“There were no alcohol-free bottle shops in 2019,” Silverman said. “The numbers are a little different every day, but we’re getting to about 300 completely alcohol-free establishments.”
Silverman is proud that she helps people find NA options wherever they go, because for so long, they didn’t have that option.
The NCSolutions Consumer Sentiment Survey shows that more than 40% of Americans want to drink less alcohol this year. That number is even higher for Gen Z Americans, where 61% said they plan to drink less. Nearly half of Millennials say they are going to do the same. (Fox News/Mills Hayes)
“People are finding that they don’t want to drink as much alcohol anymore,” Silverman said. He added that NA drinking isn’t just for people who are completely sober. “But people who are getting older, or who have young children, who are athletes, and they’re training for a marathon or something important in their life.
“A lot of people have important jobs where alcohol is not conducive to them working and staying on top of their work. And yes, there are people who are very committed to health.”
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Silverman reminisced about becoming sober a decade ago at age 20. He said he felt left out when ordering a soda at a bar. But NA beverages are different. They allow people to align with American drinking culture, whether they’re completely sober or not.
“It’s a really great time for people to explore their sober curiosity or explore this whole new world of beverages,” Silverman said.
