Sober Curious? Or Sober for Life? Why Inclusion Matters at Work

Six and a half years into my sobriety, I’ve learned two things: Sobriety is survival, and drinking culture is everywhere. That’s why the rise of the “sober curious” Gen Z matters. They’re drinking less, choosing mocktails and reshaping norms.

Here in North Dakota, the data paints a more complicated picture. Our state clocks in at 3.16 gallons of alcohol per person annually, one of the highest in the nation. We also rank near the top for binge drinking, have the highest percentage of adults who drink excessively and lead the country in alcohol-related driving deaths. None of that will surprise anyone who grew up here, where drinking is deeply woven into social life: 21st birthdays, power hours, underage drinking brushed off as “just being a kid” and even sharing drinks with parents or other adults before turning 21. 

My Sobriety Story

I’m six and a half years sober. For me, it wasn’t about wellness or a trendy reset. I had (and will always have) a problem with binge drinking. Getting sober was the hardest and best thing I’ve ever done. 

Sobriety has given me community, clarity and purpose, and I talk about it openly, even on LinkedIn. It’s not always easy. Sometimes at professional events, I don’t feel like explaining my choice because I don’t want it to overshadow why we’re gathered. Other times, sharing has sparked deeper conversations and connections I never expected. 

Here’s what I want people to know: I’m comfortable being around alcohol, but not everyone in recovery is. While the sober curious trend is helpful, it’s different when sobriety is not a choice but a necessity for your survival. Technically a choice, sure, but it’s a matter of life and death for some of us.

Corporate and Event Culture: Shifts and Gaps 

The good news is that event culture is shifting. I’ve seen more mocktails on menus, non-alcoholic spirits in stores and even fully sober bottle shops opening up. At one of our Flint holiday parties, the mocktails were such a hit that even people drinking alcohol were ordering them. At our team retreat last year, the NA spritz stole the show, and several teammates chose it too. For me, those are moments where I felt fully included.

That’s the dream:

Inclusion that benefits everyone, and you’re welcome for no hangovers. 

But here’s the flip side: if an event still centers around alcohol, sober folks can feel excluded, even though no one intends it. When “mocktails” mean a soda, it signals that we’re an afterthought.

It’s also worth noting that hosting events at bars can be triggering for some. A better option might be a bar with a restaurant, where people can feel more comfortable and have choices that aren’t only centered on alcohol. Thoughtful venue selection can make a huge difference in who feels included.

What does inclusion really look like? 

• Thoughtful beverage options: Give non-drinkers something as creative and appealing as cocktails. There are so many awesome canned cocktails!  

• Less alcohol overall: Build events around experiences, not just the bar. 

• Inclusive language: “Refreshments provided” is more welcoming than “join us for drinks.”

• Normalize the choice: Celebrate or just say nothing when people order the zero-proof option. Don’t make it weird. Seriously, don’t.  

• Consider the venue: Choose places where alcohol isn’t the only focus so everyone feels comfortable attending.

If the only way your event is fun is with a few drinks, maybe the event itself needs a rethink.  

Sobriety, Wellness and Inclusion 

Sobriety doesn’t sit on the margins anymore. It’s part of the larger conversations about mental health, mindfulness and DEI in the workplace. Making space for sober colleagues, whether they’re sober curious, sober for now or sober for life, isn’t just kind, it’s smart, forward-thinking and deeply inclusive.

For me, sobriety isn’t a fad or a health choice. It’s survival. And when companies and communities create spaces where everyone can fully belong without needing a drink in hand, that’s when the real connection begins.

Hi, I’m Anna, and I’m 2,423 days sober. If you’re on this journey too, know you’re not alone, and you deserve spaces where you belong exactly as you are.