Out of a range of activities that induce anxiety in young people across Britain’s universities, being sober at a nightclub might possibly be one of the worst. At least that’s the attitude that many students take towards university-centred social events. If I had a penny for every time I heard the words “I’m going to need to be drunk for this” or “You need to be drunk for that” come out of the mouths of friends and housemates preparing for a night out at the Foundry or a bar crawl with their society, I’d be able to buy myself a Tesco meal deal (and not at Clubcard price). I’ve certainly even made those comments myself.
An article written by this publication in May revealed the extent to which booze culture is embedded within wider university culture and the implications for students. What was particularly striking and concerning was the high level of survey respondents who admitted they either drank to fit into a crowd or felt pressure to do so. Even if you’re like me, and indeed you have a taste for the stuff – perhaps you enjoy good wine and beer and you take care in selecting your spirits – there is no denying that students are engaging in quantities of alcohol much higher than they otherwise would be outside of a University environment. What’s concerning is the normalisation of such behaviour; being encouraged by peers to get ‘plastered’ at any opportunity that presents itself. The consequences of alcohol of course are immediate such as a dodgy hangover or amnesia the next day but can also be more long-term: sleep deprivation, the slow chipping away at our mental and physical state, impeding our concentration and ability to retain information which inevitably may negatively affect our university experience.
That’s why I and many other students on Sheffield’s campus are engaging with Macmillan Cancer Support’s Sober October campaign. Trading in tequila for tonic water for a month. Taking part in campaigns like Sober October can be a great way to keep yourself accountable while raising some loose change for the vital cancer support Macmillan gives to our community.
Yes, it’s possible to maintain a moderated and healthy relationship with alcohol. Many do. But going sober for a month can give you, as it’s given me, the opportunity to completely change your attitude towards drinking. Since starting their sober journey, some students haven’t looked back.
Georgie Isaacson, a final-year History student, made the decision to go sober once it became increasingly difficult to have a drink with her friends without the situation spiralling out of control. “I didn’t get on with the person I became when I was really drunk, which was often if I was drinking. I realised the older I got the more it was damaging rather than improving my life.” She’s been off the booze for five months and hasn’t looked back. Lydia Shiel, a final-year English Literature student, is partaking in Sober October and tells me she tends to go sober for a month or two periodically particularly during busy assessment periods to improve her productivity. But for Lydia, it also serves as an admonition to maintain a positive relationship with alcohol. “Going sober is a good way to remind myself to separate alcohol from having a nice time.”
“How can I properly enjoy society and university life without at least a pint of beer in my hand?” I hear you ask. Well, if you’re asking yourself that question perhaps it’s time to re-evaluate your relationship with the stuff. I could give you the same lecture advertising everything Sheffield-by-day has to offer – “What about a spot of pottery painting? Oh, and shall we go picnicking in the peaks? And have you seen that café we can play boardgames in, doesn’t that sound riveting?” yawn – but you’ve most likely partaken in those activities, and you can’t count the number of times you’ve visited the Peak District. The truth is, becoming sober is daunting because it feels like we’re giving up on our social vices or that alcohol blanket that pacifies our social anxiety and boosts our confidence. It can be challenging to say no to that committee member of that sports society, particularly in our first year of University when we’re so desperate to belong. More pervasively, there is a perception that sober people do not have fun. We don’t want to miss out on those pub socials, bar crawls, birthdays and foundry nights where all our friends will be this week making memories, and why should we? The funny thing about perceptions is that they are just that.
Strange as it may sound, the secret to enjoying sober life on campus is not to give up on the pub or the nightclub. The reason we believe soberness in those environments is boring and uncomfortable has more to do with our mindset than anything else. I receive the occasional applause from friends who admit they’d never dare set foot into a nightclub unintoxicated, but should I ask them if they’ve ever tried, the answer is consistently “no”.
As I write this, I’m nearly a month sober (a record for me) but I’ve also been to pubs and bars, both with friends, societies and on dates nearly every other day and those experiences are made better without the booze. Yes, I’ve heard the odd “Come on Fergus, you’re allowed one” but I always ensure I have a pint of cucumber-infused tonic water in my hand to shut down those quips. Most notably, I go out and socialise far more frequently. Gone are the endless days of recovery and those promises we make to ourselves that we’ll never touch the bottle again. Afraid to ‘let loose’ and dance in a nightclub without the confidence your drink would usually provide? Trust me, it’s hardly as embarrassing as falling over on the dance floor or spilling a bright blue VK across your outfit. If you think your fellow intoxicated clubgoers will be watching you sneeringly or be paying attention to your dance moves at all then you’d be sorely mistaken. There is, in fact, nothing more attractive than being in control. As soon as you drive past that initial mental block, going dancing knowing you’ll have full autonomy over all decisions made and not waking up the next morning with feelings of regret and anxiety will make social events more entertaining, gratifying and interesting. You’ll begin to go on dates and sleep with people you actually feel a connection with and are attracted to. Sex itself is far more pleasurable and satisfying when alcohol is not involved. Furthermore, I wake up the next morning with a bank balance that doesn’t make me wince. Many bars and clubs won’t even charge me for a pint of soda or tonic water on tap.
Sobriety has been one of the most eye-opening decisions I’ve ever made. Minus the obvious health benefits (clear skin, clear liver, clear mind) my life now is more engaging, stimulating and full of energy than it was prior. Will I ever drink again? Probably. But I’ll keep riding on my alcohol-free high for a while longer.
You can find more information on MacMillan’s campaign at gosober.co.uk.
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol dependency you can find support at Project 6 Sheffield.
