In case you nonetheless assume being the lifetime of events requires a drink in hand, Gen Z has entered the chat—they usually’re proving in any other case. An increasing number of younger adults are selecting to skip the booze, not due to strict guidelines or monetary struggles, however just because “they don’t really feel prefer it”.
Not like earlier generations, for whom consuming has been a ceremony of passage, Gen Z isn’t just rejecting alcohol; they’re additionally rewriting social norms. Having mentioned that, sobriety will not be about making a daring assertion for a lot of of them, however moderately simply one other way of life alternative.
The soberest era? The numbers say so
Information backs up this shift. The Dialog has even known as Gen Z “the soberest era.” In 2023, solely 18-20 per cent of People beneath 28 mentioned they recurrently drank alcohol, in accordance with Statista.
A 2024 UK examine discovered that customers aged 20 to 24 are almost half as more likely to prioritise spending on alcoholic drinks in comparison with earlier generations.
So, why are they ditching alcohol? Is it about wellness, rebel, or just shifting priorities? We spoke to younger Indians to know in the event that they too are following their Western counterparts—and what this implies for the way forward for consuming tradition.
“Meh, I simply don’t really feel like consuming”
For Ayushi, 26, consuming was by no means a giant a part of her life, and now it’s barely there. “It doesn’t style good, and it doesn’t make my physique really feel good,” she mentioned.
No dramatic cause. No tragic incident. No physician’s orders. Simply zero curiosity in consuming.
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For Tanveer, 23, and Sanchita, 19, it’s an analogous story. They do drink now and again, however the concept that alcohol is important for enjoyable? Laborious cross.
Mahima, 22, mentioned, “I will be free, enjoyable, and the lifetime of the get together—all whereas being sober.” A teetotaller for religious causes, she by no means felt the necessity for alcohol to get pleasure from herself.
For Ayushi, 26, consuming was by no means a giant a part of her life, and now it’s barely there. “It doesn’t style good, and it doesn’t make my physique really feel good,” she mentioned (Supply: Freepik)
“I’d moderately spend my cash on issues that matter”
When one evening out prices as a lot as a brief journey, many younger individuals are selecting experiences over drinks.
For Namitha (27), alcohol is simply one other pointless expense. “Costly cocktails? No thanks. I’d moderately spend that cash on journey or making an attempt new cuisines,” she mentioned.
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Sanchita, who drinks sometimes, famous value as a giant issue:”Consuming each weekend provides up, and it’s simply not price it for one thing I don’t even get pleasure from that a lot.”
Sabhyata Goswami, scientific psychologist from Lissun, a psychological well being startup, identified the shifting household dynamics as causes too:
- Kids from non-drinking households are much less more likely to devour alcohol.
- New-age dad and mom are extra aware of substance dangers and lift kids with higher warning.
- The “alcohol = maturity” stereotype is fading, making consuming much less fascinating to youthful generations.
“Well being first, at all times”
It’s not information that alcohol, in any amount, is unhealthy for well being. For Priyanshu, 23, health is a giant cause to remain largely sober. “I need to keep bodily and mentally wholesome. Alcohol doesn’t match into that,” he mentioned.
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Lujain, 22, avoids consuming resulting from her household’s historical past of diabetes and coronary heart points. Add PCOS to the combination; alcohol turns into a no-go for her.
Gen Z’s consciousness of psychological well being can also be shaping their consuming habits, in accordance with Goswami. “Many younger individuals are selecting remedy over alcohol to deal with stress. Not like earlier generations, Gen Z is open about nervousness and despair, lowering the chance of utilizing alcohol as self-medication. Nonetheless, some flip to different substances like vapes or designer medication as an alternative,” she mentioned.
The social aspect: “You don’t must be drunk to be enjoyable”
After all, not consuming nonetheless comes with its justifiable share of “Arrey yaar, ek drink le lo (Come on, have one drink)” moments. For Priyanshu, peer strain was actual at first: “I felt awkward when my associates mentioned, ‘Come on, only one drink!’ Some even distanced themselves as a result of I didn’t drink.”
Mahima handled the traditional “Ek drink se kuch nahi hota (Nothing occurs due to only one drink)” arguments. However over time, folks accepted her alternative.
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Ayushi put it bluntly: “Individuals who strain you to drink aren’t actually your pals. I simply excuse myself till they get the purpose.”
The sociological perspective: A cultural shift in India
In response to Pranay Aggarwal, sociologist and director at IAS Gurukul, Gen Z’s rejection of alcohol is a noticeable development in India. He attributes it to:
- Better consciousness of health, psychological well being, and general well-being.
- Conventional Indian household values, which nonetheless emphasise sobriety.
- Hindu revivalism, notably amongst upper-caste Gen Z people.
- World patterns, the place younger adults in Western societies are additionally shunning alcohol.
“Not like Millennials, who embraced get together tradition, Gen Z is extra all for self-care and different socialising choices like gaming parlours, cafés, and outside actions,” mentioned Aggarwal.
Platforms like Instagram and TikTok promote wellness, mindfulness, and sober curiosity, in accordance with Aggarwal. However, he additionally famous that on-line tendencies can reinforce consuming tradition, maintaining peer strain alive in numerous methods.
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The company consuming tradition: “Why will not be consuming so surprising?”
Consuming is, someway, deeply ingrained in company tradition. Workforce outings, consumer conferences, weekend events—alcohol is in all places.
For Namitha, resistance got here largely from colleagues over 40. “They are saying issues like ‘That is the age to drink and revel in life!’ Some even joke, ‘Yeh kaise logon ko rent kiya hai (What sort of folks have they employed)?’”
Ayushi agreed that company tradition encourages consuming, however she by no means felt the necessity to slot in.
Tanveer avoids consuming at company occasions altogether. Lujain dodges the strain with excuses that vary from,“I’ve an allergy” to “Dharma bhrasht ho jaayega (My religion shall be corrupted).”
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Gen Z is sober, enjoyable, and thriving
Gen Z has successfully dismantled the “consuming = enjoyable” equation, embracing sober socialising. Not like Millennials, who normalised partying and social consuming, Gen Z prioritises private well-being.
Whether or not it’s for well being, cash, private values, or simply pure disinterest, this era is stepping away from consuming tradition—they usually don’t care in case you have an issue with it.
In response to Aggarwal, earlier generations noticed wellness as an afterthought—Gen Z has made it mainstream. “Their way of life selections are accelerating the normalisation of sobriety in a manner society wasn’t anticipating,” he mentioned.
So, the following time somebody raises an eyebrow while you say “I don’t drink,” simply do what Mahima does: “Smile, sip your tender drink, and have the time of your life—hangover-free.”