In an unexpected twist, the economic uncertainty and rise in psychological know-how within the current generation of young adults has produced something no winery or brewery could’ve guessed – a downturn in alcoholism and social drinking. While the world still has its fair share of young binge drinkers and partygoers, it turns out that for a large section of millennials and others, drinking is falling by the wayside in favor of a new culture of mindfulness, and clearheaded sobriety.
Indeed, it seems it’s hip to be sober, now more than ever. It’s a growing trend and one that isn’t developing in a vacuum – sobriety has become a big facet of an ongoing movement to promote less as more, pushing off against the effects of gluttony, materialism and consumerism, the adversaries of the straight-edged punk. Yet today’s sobriety isn’t about radical political action, and counterculture as it was in the 80s; it’s about individual enlightenment, and the joys of a sharp mind, clearer thinking.
Sobriety in a Millennial Age
It would be foolish to generalize the actions of one subculture to an entire generation, but as youngsters go, millennials are surprisingly booze-free. Out with the 2 a.m. bar crawls and late-night raves, in come juice-crawls and early morning dance parties.
Yet any surprise flies out the window with a little more research – as technology makes it ever easier to order booze and sex with a click of a button or a swipe on a screen, the counter-movement to modern-day excessiveness is to be a restrained and efficient consumer. Yet it’s not just about the morality of asceticism – it’s about the economics. Millennials have access to more information and communication than ever, but are short on cash. In turn, they seem to spend more wisely.
The current generation eats healthier, does more exercise, and drinks less than previous generations. Veganism is on the rise, along with yoga, weightlifting, sobriety, and a slew of self-improvement movements that are more easily accessible than ever. Young people are having less sex than ever, teen pregnancies are down, and contraceptive use has shot up – not out of a culture of prudishness or celibacy, but perhaps as a result of greater respect between genders, or a lack of free time.
As part of an ongoing new-age drive towards individual entrepreneurialism, social networks like Snapchat and Instagram help today’s generation promote themselves and gain celebrity-like status through the lens of a smartphone – yet in an age where money is tighter than ever, most of these personal brands aren’t promoting their newest yacht or latest vacation home, but are instead marketing health fads and lifestyle products through their chiseled physiques and glowing skin. People write about sobriety, mindfulness, meditation, wellness retreats, and the tenets of Zen Buddhism as applied in the modern-day workforce.
However, today’s sobriety has little to do with the counterculture of the 80s. There’s no politicizing, no collectivism, no stand against the evils of capitalism or imperialism – in fact, millennials tend to lean fiscally to the right: politicians are out of touch, politics are outdated, the state won’t help anyone. As a show of apathy and distrust, voter turnouts are lower than ever. To many, life is about personal journeys and finding your best self, representing the values of taking an entrepreneurial approach to life instead of relying on the man.
Of course, sobriety isn’t something millennials invented. The culture of addiction recovery, abstinence and sobriety is as ancient as alcohol itself, and the West’s most popular method for beating alcoholism originated in the same decade as instant coffee, the first electric guitar, and the Second World War. And indeed, sobriety is on the rise across all ages. Yet for the first time in ages, it seems that being sober is hip.
Sober Partying & Clean Living
Over 10,000 bars have shut down in the past decade, and in their stead, there has been a massive rise in sober entertainment. From sober raves to juice crawls, people are stepping away from the need for social drinking and are instead realizing how productive and empowering it can be to relieve yourself of the pressure to get drunk before having fun with others. Peer pressure is a major factor in drug use, and addiction – yet the trend may be going in the opposite direction.
With the omnipresence of social media and its growing influence in job availability and career options, most people today must be more self-conscious of their actions and their future, cutting down on the booze to avoid the horrid surprise of waking up to a Facebook album filled with unflattering portraits of the night before, all linked to a name that must compete in the online competitive market.
It’s not just about pressure, of course. The idea that you can choose – choose what you want to do with your time in a day and age where we can get a concise list of every shindig and interesting event around us within a few seconds – can be paralyzing to many, and empowering to others. Instead of boozing it up, people choose to stay sober. Instead of the usual fast food option, people are choosing to pick up new ways to make an easy and healthier alternative, or check out the newest food trend in downtown. Realizing that life won’t be easy, young professionals today choose to make the most of their time.
That’s not true for everyone, obviously. Anxiety and depression are on a rise in younger people, and the two are doubtlessly related to growing fears among today’s younger generations regarding the future. Getting a degree no longer guarantees you any job, let alone a decent one, and even if people do manage to land a position that might result in a career, the idea of a safe retirement for most is slipping away rapidly. Staying positive in a climate like that can be hard.
On top of that, not everyone thinks living sober is best. And plenty of people are still enjoying the booze to a tremendous degree. But the trend is obvious – the risk of getting smashed on a Friday night outweigh the benefits for many, and they’d rather just stay home and flick through Netflix, squeeze an hour of gym-time into their day; or, apparently, hit a sober party.