After finishing treatment for alcoholism, you will likely never want to see another drink again. So, what do you do when your friends invite you out to a restaurant or, worse yet, a bar? Luckily, alcohol consumption is slowing worldwide, with alcohol volumes in America dropping by 0.8% in 2018. 1 This is following a trend of growing sobriety, with many patrons choosing mocktails and sober creations over beers or other booze. With the growing popularity of sobriety, businesses are finally starting to take notice and are opening restaurants without alcohol for people to enjoy.
Fewer People Are Drinking
As more people focus on their health, the long-term effects of alcohol are enough to keep any health-conscious person from drinking. Many people, even those without a history of problematic alcohol consumption, are choosing sobriety. Studies have shown a universal decline in the number of people consuming alcoholic beverages, including wine. In fact, there was a 3% decline in the rates of worldwide wine consumption between 2019 and 2020.2 With more millennials dining out sober, restaurants have had to adjust to the changing sober tastes of consumers.
Alcohol-Free Restaurants Are on the Rise
As more restaurants without alcohol continue to pop up, many of these have opted to develop a greater selection of mocktails and sober drinks instead. Sober restaurants are increasingly popular, meeting the needs of customers who are dining out sober rather than having alcoholic drinks.
Some restaurants are focusing on mocktails, with alcohol-free beverages becoming the norm on menus.3 As more consumers continue to trend away from alcohol consumption, more restaurants can elect to hire the services of a sober bartender. While not all will go alcohol-free, the options for dining out sober are growing beyond club soda as restaurants embrace sobriety with unique creations.
There is also a slew of delicious mocktail recipes that you can make in the comfort of your own home. Being able to practice your culinary creativity is a fantastic pastime and can encourage better habits regarding what you choose to put into your body. These are the only bodies that we have and treating them with the care and respect they deserve is crucial to maintaining successful sobriety in the long term.
Is Alcohol in Food an Issue for People in Recovery?
While this has been debated, it is still scientifically accepted that alcohol can still be present in food even after cooking or heating. The US Dept of Agriculture has created a cumulative list of how much alcohol is retained after specific amounts of heating time.4
- 40% is retained after 15 minutes
- 35% after 30 minutes
- 25% after 1 hour
- 20% after 1.5 hours
- 10% after 2 hours
- 5% after 2.5 hours
This highlights the risk involved with consuming anything that has alcohol in it for a person to maintain sobriety. It shows that sober eating is also a practice that should be considered when eating out at a restaurant or preparing food at home.
Getting Sober in Florida
At Banyan Treatment Centers, we understand the importance of relapse prevention. Our Florida mental health rehab houses a variety of effective therapy methods that can be used to develop healthier coping mechanisms to apply in the real world. Our clients can confront past or recent traumas that can contribute to their current struggles, giving them a chance to overcome them and finally move forward.
Patients at our Boca behavioral health center can also access our sensational programming to encourage positive living. For instance, a favorite of our ancillary programs includes guided yoga and meditation. These serve as additional ways to honor your body so that it promotes wellness, along with providing a balance of physical and mental health.
Banyan Boca also provides the opportunity to participate in equine-assisted therapy, a method that employs the care of and interaction with horses. It is scientifically proven that this approach promotes a sense of calm, stress reduction, and overall self-confidence that can be applied outside of our centers.
Keep in mind that while our Boca facility now only specializes in Florida mental health services, Banyan does offer addiction treatment at our Sebring and Pompano locations. Call our intake specialists at 888-280-4763 to learn more today.
Sources:
- Wall Street Journal – As Americans Drink Less Alcohol, Booze Makers Look Beyond the Barrel
- Forbes - Wine Consumption in the World 2020 in Decline, a Detailed Look
- Press Herald – Mocktails now standard on menus as more people turn away from alcohol
- USDA – Table of Nutrient Retention Factors
Related Reading
Loneliness in Sobriety: How to Cope
Addiction Recovery and Employment: Holding Down a Job in Sobriety
