Why Not Drinking Alcohol Is the Real Punk Rock Choice

How sobriety became my ultimate rebellion against societal norms

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Haleigh Lamoreux

— Taken at the Temple of Posiedon near Athens, GreeceHi

As I near the end of Dry January, reflecting on a full month of sobriety, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of clarity.

This isn’t my first attempt at quitting alcohol.

I’ve tried before, and while I always started strong, there was an underlying desire to drink. I was simply resisting the urge, not eliminating it. This year feels different.

I genuinely do not want to drink.

And yet, choosing not to drink is often met with criticism, shock, and confusion. Why is it that abstaining from a well-documented carcinogen is seen as abnormal? Why is consuming alcohol so deeply tied to social norms and the idea of “having fun”?

For me, alcohol was always a way to fit into a society where I never quite felt I belonged. But the more I think about it, the more I realize that choosing sobriety aligns with the rebellious streak I’ve carried my whole life.

Growing Against the Grain

From an early age, I’ve been accustomed to living against the grain.

I gravitated toward alternative groups of friends, devoted my life to art, and shunned the…