Summary

The website content discusses the relationship between coffee consumption and sobriety, suggesting that coffee can be a beneficial substitute for alcohol, potentially aiding in maintaining sobriety while offering various health and social advantages.

Abstract

The article explores the potential of coffee as a positive influence for individuals seeking to avoid or reduce alcohol consumption. It highlights research indicating that coffee may help prevent alcohol addiction and provides insights into the historical pairing of coffee and alcohol. The text delves into the effects of both substances on mood and mental health, noting that while caffeine can lead to dependency, it is generally considered safer and more socially acceptable than alcohol. The author shares personal experiences and outlines the financial and emotional benefits of choosing coffee over alcohol, emphasizing that coffee can enhance mental clarity without the negative consequences associated with alcohol consumption. The article

What’s the deal with coffee and sobriety?

Abandoning booze and embracing the bean

Coffee and sobriety are not mutually exclusive.

There is a growing body of research showing that coffee can help people avoid becoming addicted to alcohol.

In fact, drinking coffee may help you stay sober. There are so many benefits to sobriety, why not give coffee a shot?

Coffee and Alcohol: A Brief History

Coffee and alcohol have a long history of being paired together. One of the reasons for this is that in many cases, they serve similar purposes.

Alcohol is a depressant — it has been shown to increase the risk of developing depression, anxiety disorders, and even suicidal thoughts or attempts. Some people feel they need alcohol to help them fall asleep, though research shows it does help you get a restful slumber.

Caffeine is also believed to have an effect on mood and mental health: it can help with concentration levels while decreasing drowsiness and fatigue (and there are some studies that say it could even be good for your memory). Caffeine may also be useful in helping people avoid sleeping disorders like insomnia or sleep apnea.

But it’s not all good; caffeine can cause anxiety, insomnia and headaches. It can cause heartburn and affect your sleep patterns in the long term, even if you don’t experience these effects while drinking coffee every day.

When I worked at a coffee shop and had free access to unlimited caffeine, I used to say that too much espresso would make me feel as “altered” as too much alcohol — just the awake version of altered, I used to joke, rather than the sleepy, slurred speech version.

And honestly, I wasn’t that far off. Caffeine has been shown to cause physical dependence, just like alcohol. Caffeine Use Disorder can be listed on your medical chart and you can receive treatment for it, just like Alcohol Use Disorder.

This means that some people rely on caffeine to get through the day to such a degree that they might experience negative effects if they don’t have their morning cup of coffee or afternoon tea, like a headache. If you find yourself needing more and more caffeine just to function normally, you may be experiencing Caffeine Use Disorder and should contact your doctor.

So what does this all have to do with quitting drinking?

The fact that caffeine and alcohol are both addictive, both drugs, and can be vices in themselves has made them a natural pair for centuries.

This means that while your body feels energized by caffeine use (and perhaps even more so if you’re using it as an excuse to drink more alcohol, or using coffee as an alcohol replacement), you will eventually need to come down from your caffeine high — making it easier to feel depressed or more lethargic than normal after the caffeine is out of your system. This could potentially swing so far the other way on your caffeine “come down” it could potentially lead you to fall off the wagon and drink alcohol again (if you’re struggling to quit, I got you, here’s how to quit drinking in 10 steps).

However, there are lots of reasons why, despite the addictive nature of caffeine, I’ll still choose an expensive latte over alcohol every time.

In fact, although the financial cost may seem high at first glance, it isn’t nearly as costly as my drinking habit used to be (in both the monetary and emotional sense).

After all, there are several benefits to swapping from booze to beans:

Coffee is cheaper than alcohol (and healthier).
Coffee is more socially acceptable than alcohol.
Coffee is more accessible than alcohol (you can buy it in stores as opposed to needing someone else who drinks/sells it in order for you get some).
Coffee may help you think clearer, instead of clouding your thinking and judgement.
Drinking too much coffee won’t cause you to act in a way that would make you feel bad about myself.

If you are trying to quit drinking, there is no reason why you should give up your favorite things like coffee when sobering up.

Final thoughts

So, do I recommend coffee as a substitute for alcohol?

In short, yes.

I think it’s important to note that there are many ways to get sober. The most important thing is that you find something that works for you and makes your life better. And if coffee is what does that for you, then great! Just make sure to be mindful of how much caffeine is too much so as not to fall into a dependence on this (or any) substance.

Participating in Sober October? Sober-curious? Recently alcohol free? Celebrating a sobriety milestone? Check out my latest articles on sobriety here on Medium: