Over the past couple of years, we’ve seen a rising number of young people embracing the sobriety, with recent statistics from Drinkaware suggesting that 19 percent of adults choose not to drink, a figure which rises to 26 percent with among young adults.
One person who decided to make the change is former Love Island star turned health influencer Dr Alex George, who has spent the last two years of his life sober.
The sober-curious trend is on the rise (Getty Stock Images)
The 34-year-old now makes regular content about his alcohol-free lifestyle, with a recent YouTube video exploring all the changes you’ll notice after six months without booze.
Here are all the changes which Dr Alex noticed, who explained how this was often a ‘pivotal point’ for people when deciding whether or not to resume drinking.
The physical changes from going sober
One of the biggest changes which Dr Alex noticed after six months was how his physical appearance changed, particularly with his weight.
“The biggest thing for me was that weight was just really falling off,” he explained, adding that two years without drinking saw him lose a whopping ‘six or seven stone’.
“In the first six or so months that weight just poured off. Why? Alcohol is very calorific and it really impacts your decision making around food and exercise.”
The doctor and health influencer explained why he believes persevering with sobriety is so important (YouTube/Dr Alex George)
The weight loss may also be linked to his increase in ‘physical energy’ levels after quitting booze.
“My capacity to just move and just exist,” he added.
“Six months in, I’m getting, fitter, faster, stronger.”
Half a year without alcohol also saw a positive shift in Dr Alex’s sleep cycle, as well as allowing his organs to ‘recover’, although he does notes that our liver’s ability to recover is ‘overestimated’.
“Six months is a good amount of time for your body to start regenerating.”
The mental and emotional changes of going sober
The physician noted how the mental impacts of ditching the booze can often be harder, with newly sober people having to deal with alcohol cravings and sleep disturbances.
However, this is an important part of the journey.
He highlighted how quitting drinking can be harder mentally than physically (Getty Stock Images)
“Think of it like therapy… in therapy things get worse before they get better,” Dr Alex explained.
“That’s also the process of what happens in the first six months [without] drinking.”
He then went on to add that the three to six-month mark allows you to begin processing how alcohol impacts your emotions as well as developing healthier coping mechanisms.
“At six months you have to want to establish ways of coping,” he said. “It’s a necessary part [but] I don’t think it’s easy.”
The social and lifestyle changes of going sober
Make it to half a year booze-free, and Dr Alex explains that you begin to develop a new identity as a ‘non-drinker’, which allows you to more easily navigate social situations where drinking is commonplace.
He also highlighted how developing your identity as a non-drinker will also allow you develop hobbies and interests outside of knocking back the booze, due to the increased amount of free time.
“You’ve got to create your excitement, that involves getting dopamine in new ways,” he said, suggesting activities such as hiking, running, or going to the theatre.
“You’ve got to create your own highs.”
