Why do men drink? Why is there such an expectation in our society that men will drink? The answer to the first question is keenly felt in the second. Men drink for many reasons, one of them being it is a societal norm or expectation that they will indulge in a beverage. They will join frat houses or participate in sports leagues sponsored by bars, or will drink while they watch their favorite teams; they will join their fellow co-workers for happy hour or a round of golf, often as an extension of their work - to be "one of the guys".
Men will drink at their bachelor party, at the friends' bachelor party, to share in the loss of a girlfriend or mourn the passing of a college buddy. The reasons for drinking are significant in our culture. And because of this, the concept of sober living for men is often perceived as abnormal, or in place as a legal or medical requirement rather than an acceptable lifestyle choice.
Prevalence of Drinking in our Society Drinking is not a new concept. Although the social attitudes and environments and type of drinks are unique to each culture, nearly every civilization has independently discovered the process of creating alcoholic beverages whether it was brewing beer, fermenting wine or distilling spirits; whether it was a large production or something accomplished in the middle of a farm stead. Moreover, the impact or effects of alcohol have been documented throughout the historical texts, in art history, sculptures, and in literature. The purpose and degree of drinking has certainly evolved over time however. According to the Oxford dictionary, "social drinking" is drinking in moderation and for certain social occasions such as to celebrate a promotion, or good news or to toast a person.
Buying someone a drink is a gesture of goodwill. It may be an expression of gratitude, or it may mark the resolution of a dispute. So, with all this historical context, and current societal norms or expectations around drinking, how then do we create an environment that says sober living for men is an acceptable choice and once we create a place for this thinking, how do we make it an accessible option for men?
Transition from drinking to a sober lifestyle Sober living for men is often a journey from the bottom of a bottle, to a sense of control, of stability and sobriety. It often comes as a result of losing everything and everyone in your life, or coming close to it. Many organizations that focus on helping guide men to sober living do so with the end goal of helping men reclaim their own positive attributes, creating healthy boundaries, while removing the negative attributes and influences in their lives. Part of this is teaching new coping mechanisms, while other focus on how to remove the inappropriate influences and how to deal with day-today life after they have successfully started the path to sober living. Other are showing what sober living for men can look like - what is available to fill their lives that will give them a sense of pride, personal growth and self-worth.
Resources: http://sobamesa.com/treatment-program/ http://ezinearticles.com/?Accepting-Sober-LivingFor-Men-Will-Challenge-SocialNorms&id=8343126
Thank you for reading!