LIVING ALCOHOL-FREE

The best advice, science, products, recipes and more for going alcohol-free.

Why nonalcoholic beer beats regular beer after exercise

For performance, recovery and overall health, nonalcoholic beer is a better choice than regular beer or even a sports drink.

By Gretchen ReynoldsJanuary 25, 2023

Still dry for January? Try these sober activities for non-alcoholic fun.

Sober living means breaking alcohol's grip on your social life. Here’s some advice for activities best enjoyed without alcohol.

By Nancy Stearns BercawJanuary 24, 2023

‘Dry January’ in France? The answer is still: Non.

Many French tend to view the Dry January health challenge as a puzzling foreign concept — or a threat to jobs and their cultural identity.

By Rick NoackJanuary 23, 2023

‘Drinking until I passed out’: Quit Lit targets women’s sobriety

Quit Lit, a new genre of storytelling, focuses on alcohol dependence and is helping some women curtail drinking or quit altogether.

By Lesley AldermanJanuary 19, 2023

Do mocktails really help you drink less alcohol?

Nonalcoholic drinks may help those taking part in Dry January, but could be a trigger for anyone with alcohol use disorder.

By Teddy AmenabarJanuary 17, 2023

How cutting back on alcohol can help depression and anxiety

People taking part in Dry January may notice they have an improved mood, clearer thinking and better sleep.

By Richard A. Friedman MDJanuary 12, 2023

Booze-free drinks and shops for Dry January – and the rest of the year

Whether you’re avoiding alcohol this month, you’re limiting your intake or you just want to enjoy happy hour without worrying about hangovers, there have never been more options.

By Fritz HahnJanuary 12, 2023

Navigating romance during Dry January? Here are tips for sober dating.

An alcohol-free date need not be complicated. There are ways to effectively communicate your choice and enjoy the experience.

By Lisa MulcahyJanuary 6, 2023

6 nonalcoholic cocktails for Dry January and beyond

Zero-proof drinks can be as delicious as their boozy cousins. These nonalcoholic drinks prove it.

By Anna Luisa RodriguezJanuary 4, 2023

Ask a Doctor: Will ‘Dry January’ trigger alcohol withdrawal symptoms?

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe. The risk is higher among those who drink daily or near daily.

By Tauheed Zaman, MDJanuary 2, 2023

Why do people like being tipsy? Here’s how alcohol affects the brain.

The buzz produced by alcohol comes from a cocktail of pharmacology and social ingredients, research shows.

By Richard SimaDecember 29, 2022

The benefits of ‘Dry January’ last longer than a month, studies show

People who participated in Dry January started drinking less the rest of the year and showed striking improvements in their health.

By Anahad O’ConnorDecember 27, 2022

Want to drink less in 2023? These habit-tracking apps can help.

Help Desk examined 11 popular habit tracking and sobriety apps for cost, privacy and how easy they are to use.

By Tatum HunterDecember 21, 2022

6 nonalcoholic dark rums that deliver on spice and flavor

Reach for nonalcoholic dark rums with complex flavors that taste (almost) like the real thing.

By Allison RobicelliNovember 11, 2022

How to support your sober friends when everyone is drinking

Don’t ask permission to drink around your sober friends. Instead, try to create an atmosphere of inclusion so non-drinking guests feel comfortable.

By Nancy Stearns BercawNovember 1, 2022

From Dry January to Fake Cocktails, Inside the New Temperance Movement

From ‘Cali Sober’ to Dry January to fake cocktails, a new temperance movement has arrived. But if Americans drink less alcohol, is that automatically a good thing?

By Jason WilsonJuly 25, 2022

Nonalcoholic tequila is finally good. Here are 6 worth trying.

Nonalcoholic tequilas are not a novelty, but a proper ingredient to be mixed thoughtfully.

By Allison RobicelliJuly 7, 2022

How to plan an alcohol-free trip for Dry January and beyond

Stay dry by avoiding triggers and finding a favorite nonalcoholic beer before you go to the bar.

By Nathan DillerJanuary 20, 2022

Zero-proof wines are finally getting good

Abstaining from alcohol for Dry January or in general? There's a good zero-proof wine for that.

By Dave McIntyreJanuary 13, 2022

‘Adaptogenic’ drinks advertise a booze-free good time. Read this before imbibing.

While the risk of consuming these types of drinks in moderation is low, experts say it’s important to look beyond clever advertising and promising claims.

By Allyson Chiu and Helen CarefootJanuary 13, 2022