Is Being Sober The New Thing?

I’ve been to countless house parties I can’t remember. Woken up in someone’s bed I don’t recall getting into. Snorted things I probably shouldn’t have. Dosed enough times to know I’m not always best friends with my brain. I’ve thrown up on myself, on cars, swallowed it because I didn’t want to ruin someone’s car. You name it. It’s been done. Besides the big ones. No H, M, or C. If you catch my drift.

I have an extremely addictive personality, and I know what my limits are, but I would push them. I would see how far I could go. I would try to keep up with the people around me. For what? Just to feel like the fizz in a Mountain Dew can? Or the ashes at the end of a cigarette? Why were we all getting so trashed for, man? I will say those moments were some of the most fun I’ve had, but looking back, I could have lived without them. I don’t know how much of my growth has been stunted due to countless drunk nights and coke-infused paranoia.

I’m not gonna sit here and bash on you for recreationally using things. Don’t get me wrong—some of those things with certain people in a controlled setting are chef’s kiss. But do we really need to be doing all these things to have a good time? Especially with the climate of laced substances and the risk of death.

Sober Actions

I recently went to an event with my significant other and some of our well-known friends. The music scene we go to—I wouldn’t say as a whole glorifies drug use. But a lot of the people within the scene are avid users, which makes it seem glorified. I understand wanting to heighten the experience. Personally, I just can’t get behind seeing so many people getting sloppy in the crowd, or so far in their K-hole they look like they’re dying.

That was one of the first shows in so long where I was California sober, and even then, I didn’t really partake. I had fun. Tired—I will say, more Red Bull next time—but it was easy. Didn’t need alcohol or drugs to dance. The music in itself was motivating enough, and I’m so proud I didn’t fall under the peer pressure or the weird feeling of FOMO. Staying up late talking about aspirations you’ll forget is great and all, but things get less meaningful. Doing substances just to do them at that point.

I’ve been one month alcohol-free, six months with no hard substances, and one month no vape. Not nicotine-free per se, but not hitting a death stick every second of the minute is relieving. Maybe I’ll have one drink with my meal. But for now, I’m going to see how long I can ride this no substance train. In a world where it’s normalized to poison yourself, I hope we all can just stick to the natural things that grow from the earth. I’d like to not have friends pass away from a bad batch.