Keep Reading
This blog references “California Sober,” a lifestyle that is defined here as utilizing cannabis and abstaining from consuming alcohol. It is not intended to encourage or persuade people who lead fully sober, substance-free lives to incorporate cannabis use. Please read the following blog with awareness of and tenderness towards your own situation. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, we encourage you to reach out to SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357), or at samhsa.gov
Calling it Quits
It took me a whole year to end things with alcohol. In the time leading up to my decision I found myself constantly forecasting events that would “require” me to drink it, further putting off our break-up. We have a wedding to go to, there is that concert coming up, it’s 75 degrees for the first time this year, it’s 75 degrees for the sixteenth time this year– the list goes on. Eventually the mental gymnastics of it all got to be too much, and I realized that making a lifestyle shift such as giving up alcohol–something that was so ingrained in my adult life and social circle–was going to mean relearning how to move through these events in a different way. It was intimidating and unknown; would I be able to let loose and dance, make small talk with strangers, enjoy myself while everyone else was throwing back drinks?
If you are curious about leading a non-alcoholic lifestyle, let me save you the time worrying and tell you that you will actually find more joy in these events and life in general than you did before. There is an interesting tide turning in our society, with more and more people expressing sober-curious attitudes or cutting alcohol out completely. Trends point to 61% of millennials and 49% of Gen Z declaring they intend to drink less in 2024.
Dry January, Dry July, and Sober October have all cropped up as popular times for people to try out non-alcoholic lifestyles for themselves. Self-help books and memoirs from sober authors are topping the charts. Billy Strings and Willie Nelson released what I affectionately call my theme song, “California Sober.” The narrative around not drinking is shifting away from only stopping if there is an issue. People are waking up to the other options that are available to them.
This Doesn’t Mean it’s Easy Though…
My first year without alcohol was eye-opening and grounding. I went through much of it without using any substances at all, and then made the choice to reincorporate cannabis as I felt ready. Maybe your journey looks similar. Maybe you used cannabis all along. Maybe you don’t want to give up drinking but you would like to ease off sometimes. Maybe you’re content with your habits. There’s no wrong way!
Not drinking alcohol, especially at first, can feel alienating. People might be weird about it to you (a phenomenon that can be frustrating but also fascinating once you learn not to take it personally), because your choices can bring up reflections that they aren’t ready to acknowledge. It’s the only substance that people balk at others for not using, but I have found that most people I tell have been really cool and curious about it, and it has been a great jumping off point for deeper conversations about our lives.
Say Hello to My Little Friend
No matter your reason, if you know you want to continue using cannabis, allow me to introduce you to your new friend: the infused beverage. You might find yourself at a party and bored of drinking another water, or just wanting to engage socially with a beverage like everyone else. I have found infused beverages to be the perfect companion for me at times when I would have drunk alcohol in the past. It provides me with a sense of social normalcy, it is discreet in situations where smoking may not be the move, and they’re absolutely delicious with quick activation times.
There is no shortage of options when it comes to THC infused beverages. In our dispensaries you can find anything from hydration powder mixes, to sodas, to seltzers with botanical flavors and crisp carbonation, or elixirs you can use to create mocktails. There is even infused water!
Infused beverages are aligned with my personal lifestyle choices. They give me the lift I am looking for and the sense of belonging I desire. Whether you are looking to cut out alcohol completely or just want to have a drink that you know won’t steal the next day away from you as you recover, they are a great way to enjoy cannabis in a social setting.
And One Last Thing
Living your truth is the most radical act of self-love you can do. If you are feeling a desire to shift to a non-alcoholic lifestyle, don’t let the fear of judgment from others delay you. There are so many resources and people to support you as you explore life in this new way. Never hesitate to hit us up on Instagram @silvertheraofficial if you want to chat or get connected with other people who share your experience!
This post was written with a cup of lemon balm tea and a can of Cann’s Lemon Lavender Infused Seltzer. That’s right, quitting alcohol does not mean you need to give up double-fisting. Lemon balm tea supports healthy digestion and is touted for easing stress and anxiety, thanks to the presence of the terpenes linalool and geraniol, which are also found in many cannabis strains! Aptly named the “social tonic,” Cann’s seltzers come in a variety of sizes, doses, and delicious flavors that blend herbal and citrus notes for a refreshing bubbly beverage.