Celebs are Going Sober – Now There’s a Dating App for It!
A remarkable transformation in the drinking habits of young adults has emerged over the last decade.
Ten years ago, celebrity culture was considered a damaging influence on the younger generation, as a study by YouGov reported that 74% of people believed that celebrity culture had a negative impact on young people, with obesity and binge drinking seen as one of the UK’s biggest threats.
Recent trends have indicated a significant move away from traditional alcohol consumption, with an increasing number of young people choosing sobriety and moderate drinking over heavy, frequent alcohol use.
Throughout the last ten years, some of the UK’s most popular reality stars have turned to sobriety following a host of troublesome experiences triggered by alcohol addiction. Made in Chelsea alumni Millie Mackintosh and Spencer Matthews are two reality stars who have adopted the sober lifestyle, both for similar reasons. Getting married and becoming a father was a turning point for Spencer, as he soon realised that alcohol was preventing him from reaching his full potential in his daily life.
Around a similar time, Millie also gave up alcohol following the realisation that it was a prominent trigger for her mental health issues.
Former Love Island contestant, Scott Thomas, also turned to sobriety in 2020. Since going sober, he often speaks openly about his struggles with alcohol in the past, and is a passionate advocate for sobriety, often discussing how the change in his lifestyle has benefited him.
As the popularity of sobriety continues to rise among young adults, businesses and communities alike are taking note. From hospitality to retail, many are adapting to meet the demand for alcohol-free experiences and healthier lifestyle choices.
Nicky Wake, who recently became sober following her struggles with alcohol addiction, is the founder of the UK’s first dating platform for widows, Chapter 2, and has recently announced the launch of a new service for non-drinking daters, Sober Love.
After sadly losing her husband, Andy, during the Covid pandemic of 2020, Nicky developed an alcohol addiction, which resulted in her admitting herself to rehab towards the end of 2024.
Sober Love Founder, Nicky, said: “It pleases me to see how sobriety is becoming increasingly popular in the UK. An individual doesn’t even necessarily have to have had a problem with alcohol, young people today are simply looking beyond the traditional party culture.
“They’re choosing experiences that enrich their lives, and sobriety is one of the most powerful ways they’re doing that.
“Getting back into the dating scene after my experience of grief and loss was hard enough, but with the added element of prioritising my sobriety, it seemed even more daunting.
“By launching Sober Love, we’re striving to create a safe space where people who are sober and sober-curious can meet like-minded individuals, knowing that they’re in a safe space.”
Pre-registration for the Sober Love app is open now, with the full app launching soon.