Why Does Gen Z Prefer Going Sober?

For me it's just because I saw my parents drink as a kid, that always stressed me out, and I don't want to be like that 🤷‍♂️

I was trying to think of why I personally don't drink, and it's a few things: 1.) It's expensive and I don't want to pay for it (why spend $12 on a glass of wine when I could get a slice of chocolate cake for $6) 2.) It tastes bad, I don't want to drink the taste of burning 3.) My chronic illness doesn't react well to excessive drinking 4.) I take other medications to help me deal with life stress, so I don't feel the need to self-medicate with alcohol (or weed) 5.) I didn't grow up with people pressuring me to drink in social situations and as an adult I rarely feel like anyone expects me to drink when we hang out 6.) While thankfully not in my personal life, I have seen the potentially really destructive results of alcohol and other drugs, and for me personally it's easier just not start and be present in my own life

I'm Gen X and I drank for 30 years. I smoked cigarettes for 20. I've been off cigarettes for 14 years and alcohol for over 2 years. Maybe Gen Z is waking up to the fact that alcohol is poison.

some of the language in this discussion would be better served if they just said "alcohol free", instead of conflating being "sober" when saying they are smoking weed and taking shrooms all the time.

I was a chronic alcoholic for over 2 decades. Sobriety saved my life. This is SUCH an important discussion!

I had a big cringe moment at the comment that we all have to die some way (when discussing cigarettes). I understand that's youth talking, but there are much less painful ways to die. I've lost 3 friends and a father to lung cancer or emphysema. Spending months and years struggling to breathe is not something to aspire to. No judgment - do what you want - but don't downplay the potential suffering. It's not fun for anyone.

I love that these Gen Z thoughtfully analyze this stuff in the way they do. But I really hope they spend time talking to people outside their circles too. These ideas ("sobriety is gendered") can come off as bizarre and pretentious to people outside these circles, even to people who might be down to agree with the substance.

As a recovered alcoholic, I now wonder how I managed to wake up hungover all the time. It's so much healthier to not poison myself with ethanol all the time.

As someone who never liked alcohol, I wish this sober trend would come to Germany, as well. It sucks to always be the only sober one in a group.

What I keep hearing is basically "weed is just so much better than alcohol."

I'm old (50) - I have been sober for 8 months after being a daily drinker for 15 years

As a Therapist, this is my insight: a lot of people don't realize addiction is genetic. People who grew up seeing their parents drink, will choose something else because of the effects they've seen. But they rarely think their problem is as bad as their parents. This cycle continues with their kids picking some other "drug of choice". Its in their genes. That's why i work with my Clients to find healthy substitutes and actually deal with the issue that causes them to want that quick reward.

Cigarettes are back? Weed is not a problem? Well, as someone who grew up when most of the parents smoked and drank a lot--and then many died of liver problems or lung cancer--I'd caution against glorifying smoking or pot over alcohol. All of these substances require a measure of caution.

Drinking regularly is also expensive, and a lot of young people are already struggling to make ends meet.

I wonder if part of it is partially because Gen Z is not socializing with other humans as much as previous generations.

Sober for 8 years. Society is so bent on keeping us drunk. Peer pressure is huge. Huuuge. People get ostracized for not drinking.

"Drinking alcohol isn't about getting smashed; it's about the social interactions you make along the way."

22 and never had a drop. No tragic backstory, just never felt the need to drink

I'm not a sober person but this was a fascinating listen and definitely got me thinking about it

I feel like this video really showcases Max's skills as a interviewer. I feel like both of these discussions could have been much less interesting, and he just did a great job at getting things to places I didn't expect, and sussing out points and anecdotes that I don't think they had intended to share beforehand.