What is a Teetotaler? History of Teetotalism, Teetotalism Nowadays & 10 Reasons Why You Should Be a Teetotaler

Alcohol can cause a variety of problems, even for those who aren’t heavy drinkers. From dehydration to liver and kidney failure, drinking leads to numerous physical and mental repercussions. People who drink heavily or abuse alcohol are more likely to experience physical repercussions like organ damage, organ failure, and even mental illness. Despite its dangers, many people become hooked on alcohol due to the sedative and euphoric side effects it produces in high doses. As an alcohol and drug rehab center in California, our professionals believe that a good way to avoid these issues is by living as a teetotaler. 

Where Does Living as a Teetotaler Come From?

The idea of living as a teetotaler comes from a movement called teetotalism. Teetotalism is the practice of complete personal abstinence from alcohol. A person who practices teetotalism is known as a teetotaler. This movement first began in Preston, England in the early 1800s. The term was coined by Richard Turner at a Preston Temperance Society meeting in 1883. 

This society was founded 50 years prior by Joseph Livesey, who became the leader of the temperance movement and even authored a book called The Pledge, which stated, “We agree to abstain from all liquors of an intoxicating quality whether ale, porter, wine, or ardent spirits, except as medicine.” Like most societies, they came up with a term to identify individuals who chose to live according to this pledge: teetotaler.

A teetotaler is now a term that’s used frequently to describe an individual who completely abstains from drinking alcohol. At We Level Up Treatment Center, we understand that while some people can monitor their drinking, we support teetotalism. We also offer medically monitored detox in California that helps patients safely taper their use of alcohol. Team members who lead our detox programs may also administer medication to mitigate withdrawal symptoms as needed.

“Alcohol is the new cigarettes,” says New York-based Ruby Warrington, author of Sober Curious and founder of Club SÖDA NYC, an alcohol-free event series for teetotallers and those considering abstinence. “The same way smoking became a lot less glamorous, the more studies that come out about the long-term health implications of drinking, the harder it will be to justify the habit.” According to Vogue Australia in their research called ‘Why the Teetotalism trend is here to stay’ [1]

Warrington reduced drinking when she started yoga, rarely drinks today, and considers herself “sober curious”. “It’s about people choosing to question their relationship with alcohol,” she tells Vogue. “About the way they use it, the reasons why, and the real impact on their overall wellbeing.”

There are many consequences of long-term alcohol abuse, and alcoholism is the most common one. In 2019, over 14.5 million people ages 12 and older struggled with alcohol use disorder. There’s also a growing awareness regarding the dangers of heavy drinking, including liver disease, risk of weight gain, cardiovascular disease, mental illness, and cancer. Now that there are more teetotal celebrities and public figures, the health benefits of being teetotal are becoming more apparent. Below is a list of teetotal benefits that show why abstinence from alcohol is a good thing.

Living as a Teetotaler: Avoid Dehydration

One of the most common effects of alcohol on the muscles is dehydration. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it prevents your body from holding onto water, which can lead to dehydration. When people are focused on drinking, they also usually forget to drink water. Not only can this cause uncomfortable side effects later on, but it can even contribute to back and neck pain. People who drink while dancing or partying are also at risk of becoming dehydrated to the point where they end up in the emergency room.

Living as a Teetotaler: Improved Sleep

Although alcohol can make people sleepy and keep them unconscious for hours, this doesn’t necessarily qualify as good sleep. The amount of time a person spends in slow-wave sleep and REM sleep matters. Slow-wave sleep is associated with deep sleeping and REM sleep is the cycle during which people dream the most. Drinking too much alcohol can cause an imbalance between these two cycles, reducing the latter and prolonging the former. Over time, the lack of sleep is not only unhealthy, but it can lead to irritability and more drinking.

Living as a Teetotaler: Maintain a Healthy Weight

If you’ve ever heard of the term “beer belly,” then you may understand the correlation between alcohol and weight gain. Alcoholic drinks usually contain lots of calories and carbs. Even if you aren’t eating excessively, drinking too much can still lead to significant weight gain. This is partly the reason why people with alcoholism often struggle with high blood pressure and heart problems.

Living as a Teetotaler: Better Looking Skin

The effects of alcohol on the skin are a result of the dehydration it causes. Drinking excessively can leave your skin looking dry, sallow, and wrinkly. Alcohol also depletes the body with vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin B, and zinc, all of which contribute to skin health. By avoiding alcohol, you can also avoid premature aging and wrinkling.

Living as a Teetotaler: Maintain Healthy Blood Pressure

Factors that affect your blood pressure include lack of physical activity, eating too much sodium, and high cholesterol. Alcoholic drinks often contain lots of calories, carbs, and sodium, which is why drinking affects your blood pressure. While blood pressure levels usually regulate a few hours after a person has had a few drinks, chronic drinking can lead to hypertension.

Living as a Teetotaler: Save Money

As with most substance abuse disorders, maintaining addictive habits related to drinking alcohol can become expensive. Many individuals who do not seek out alcohol addiction treatment often find themselves struggling financially, which can affect their relationships and in extreme cases, lead to homelessness.