Why These Millennial Women Went Sober: 'It Was So Toxic'

Throughout their teens and 20s, excessive drinking was the norm for Cher Reynolds and Kathryn Sauser—until they each finally hit a low point that led them to sobriety.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a majority of individuals under 21 who consume alcohol admit to binge drinking, often indulging in large quantities and subsequently grappling with the aftermath the next day—and this was a recurring pattern for the two women.

But then came a turning point. At first, their decision to go sober may have been met with shock, but now millennials are drinking much less, as reported by Gallup research. The number of adults under 35 who drink alcohol has decreased to 62 percent from 72 percent 10 years ago. Even those who do drink alcohol are drinking less as the results found that fewer than four in 10 now drink regularly.

Reynolds and Sauser told Newsweek about how their relationship with alcohol changed as they got older, sharing the good, the bad and the ugly sides to binge drinking that ultimately led them to embrace sobriety in their 30s.

Alcohol Led to Suicidal Thoughts

Reynolds, 37, from North Wales, U.K., explained her journey to an alcohol-free life, revealing the depths of her struggles with drink and the transformative effects of her decision to quit.

The private tutor's drinking habits, characterized by binge drinking from Thursday to Saturday and a reliance on alcohol as a confidence booster, led to serious consequences—and the realization that she had a problem with alcohol.

"I was in a hangover and drunk cycle for so long, I was only remembering about 10 percent of the night," Reynolds said.

Her turning point came at the end of last year when she realized the toll her drinking was taking on her mental health, leading to "dark suicidal thoughts" despite living a good life.

"A night out would make me feel worthless," she explained.

The decision to quit alcohol marked the beginning of a new chapter for Reynolds. She has experienced a remarkable turnaround, shedding 13 pounds, overcoming anxiety and brain fog, and finding a renewed sense of purpose and capability in her professional life.

Reynolds has since started a blog called Sober Scribbles, where she shares her experiences and accomplishments. Last month, she listed 10 "transformative" changes she has experienced since quitting. Among them are going to the gym, having a better memory, and not experiencing FOMO (fear of missing out).

"If you want to find out who you are as a person and what you can achieve in your life, then you need to try and remove alcohol," Reynolds advised.

Celebrating Four Years Sober

Sauser's journey from being a "party girl" to four years of sobriety is a story of transformation and self-discovery. For over a decade, Sauser's weekends were marked by excessive drinking, leading to regrettable decisions and a cycle of shame.

"Every weekend since I was 14 involved alcohol, and as I got older, it got worse. I would go out on Friday, Saturday and Sunday," the 34-year-old explained. "I'd turn up to my office job with zero sleep; it wasn't normal behavior.

"By the time I was 26, my mental health began to spiral out of control. I lost my dad to alcoholism and the grief that I numbed with alcohol would surface.

"I used to drink to socialize on the weekends but it wasn't helping anymore. I was embarrassing myself more than ever before."

Transitioning from an accountant to a fitness coach aged 27, Sauser, who lives in New York, felt the contradiction between her lifestyle and the health and wellness she preached.

"I didn't feel aligned anymore," she added. "It was so toxic."

She realized that alcohol was the root of her problems, hindering her mental health and self-esteem. Despite attempts at moderation, it wasn't until a wake-up call at 30 that she fully embraced sobriety.

"I didn't have a breakthrough moment. I got drunk, embarrassed myself, woke up next to a stranger, lost all my belongings, and that was the final straw," she said. "I realized I can't live another decade like this, I needed to change."

Sauser packed her bag and moved to Bali, Indonesia, for over a year, where she connected with sober communities, mostly online, and read sober literacy.

"I needed to get away from the party," she said.

Today, as the founder of Sober Fit Girl, an online fitness community for the "sober curious," Sauser celebrates the profound positive impact sobriety has had on her life, from financial stability to improved mental health.

"When I first stopped drinking, I was scared of missing out, but now I realize that I was missing out on so much by drinking," she said.

"Only good things can happen when you go down a sober curious path."

Why Does 'Hangxiety' Get Worse With Age?

The mental health repercussions of alcohol consumption appears to worsen with age, making binge drinking no longer desirable. Termed "hangxiety," this phenomenon has been noted to intensify with age, leaving many wondering why. Newsweek reached out to Racheal Doll, a licensed addiction counselor at Hotel California by the Sea, Newport Beach.

"As we age, hangovers increase in intensity and length," Doll explained. "This is due to slowing metabolism, which leads to a decreased tolerance to alcohol."

Elaborating on the psychological aspect, she continued: "The more experience an individual has drinking and getting hangovers, the more a mental aversion can develop. Knowing of the oncoming consequences from a binge drinking episode can dissuade excessive drinking."

Doll emphasized that responsibilities that come with age could also play a significant role.

Explaining the physiological mechanisms behind hangxiety, Doll said: "Alcohol affects the chemical in the brain called GABA, which has a relaxing effect. However, heavy drinking depletes GABA rapidly, increasing feelings of tension and anxiety."

She added that chronic overuse of alcohol carries a higher risk for anxiety and depression, particularly for those with existing mental health disorders.

"The surge of GABA and dopamine from an alcohol binge subsides quickly, leading to rebound anxiety," she said. Additionally, she pointed out the impact on sleep quality, saying: "Consuming alcohol can disrupt restful sleep, complicating the brain's ability to recover."

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