12/21/2025
More and more people are skipping alcohol for sober parties — and loving it.
Daytime dance parties. Wellness raves. Alcohol-free club nights.
What once felt fringe is quickly becoming mainstream.
The numbers back it up, Eventbrite reported a 92% rise in sober-focused events in 2024.
In the U.S., fewer young adults drink regularly, and events for the “sober curious” are growing fast. Only 18–20% of legal-age adults under 28 say they drink alcohol regularly. This isn’t a passing trend — it reflects a broader shift in values around mental health, connection, and how people want to socialize.
Many people are seeking meaning, clarity, and connection — without hangovers, regret, or relying on substances. Since 1990, the percentage of Americans reporting no close friends has quadrupled to 12%, highlighting a growing need for real connection.
Sober social spaces also matter for recovery.
Clinically, we see that choosing alcohol-free environments can reduce exposure to relapse triggers and create safer settings for connection and growth.
These spaces help people build new coping tools — ways to have fun and meet friends without drinking. They offer real-life practice for recovery and support long-term wellbeing.
As one sober event organizer put it: “Sober really doesn’t have to mean boring.”
You don’t need alcohol to have fun, feel free, or connect.
What we’re seeing isn’t a fad — it’s a global social shift.
If you’re curious what recovery could look like for you, our programs are designed to fit into real life — not pull you away from it.
Learn more about our Intensive Outpatient Program and other recovery options at arsnh.com.