Sober curiosity is often defined as having the option to question or change one's drinking habits, for mental or physical health reasons.
[4] According to Kristine Goddiksen, a Danish opinion columnist on KForum writing on the so-called “sober curious” phenomenon, the fear of being different and being rejected by one's friends is one of the reasons why people drink.
If you say no to alcohol, you risk being sober shamed,[4] i.e. labeled as boring, antisocial or restrained, or people may think you are either pregnant, religious or an ex-alcoholic.
[2] According to Ida Fabricius Bruun, CEO of the Danish NGO Alkohol & Samfund, parents play an important role in showing their children that socializing is quite possible without drinking alcohol.
Japanese sober curious were therefore greatly encouraged, when in 2020 non-drinking Yoshihide Suga was appointed prime minister.