As I sat at my favorite bar in Uptown, sipping on a sparkling mocktail that rivaled any Grain Belt I’d ever had, I couldn’t help but wonder: had the Twin Cities finally woken up to a new reality?

A reality where the buzz wasn’t from alcohol but from the thrill of clear-headed conversations and hangover-free mornings?

Let’s face it, folks, the writing’s on the wall – or should I say, on the menu. Suddenly, “NA” isn’t just my response to the latest Vikings game but the hottest trend in beverages. And just like that, our favorite watering holes are becoming oases of alcohol-free indulgence.

The problem? It turns out our faithful friend alcohol might not be the wellness guru we thought it was. Up North, our Canadian neighbors are already singing a new tune, suggesting we limit ourselves to just two drinks a week. Two drinks a week? That’s barely enough to get through the first act of a Guthrie show!

But here’s the real kicker: a study in The Lancet dropped a bombshell that would make even the most passive-aggressive Minnesotan blush. It claims that no amount of alcohol improves our health. Talk about a sobering thought.

As I watched the bartender craft another masterpiece of mocktail mixology, I had to ask myself: Is this the dawn of a new era? An era where we trade our wine glasses for wellness shots and hangovers for… well, happiness?

Maybe, just maybe, it’s time we all took a page from this new playbook. After all, if we can survive winter in Minnesota, we can undoubtedly survive – and thrive – in a world with fewer cocktails and more clarity. And who knows? We might just find that the best intoxication comes not from what’s in our glass but from the company we keep and the lives we lead.

So here’s to the rise of the NA revolution in the Twin Cities. Because sometimes, the most intoxicating thing of all is simply being yourself- no chaser required.

Cheers!

SOBRIETY IN THE CITY – MINNEAPOLIS / ST PAUL: Sober living in the greater Minneapolis / St. Paul area doesn’t have to be boring; living free of substances opens the door to a world of new explorations and experiences. With our Sober in Minneapolis / St. Paul section, you have access to some of the hottest spots in the twin cities!

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Looking for recovery resources in the greater Minneapolis /St Paul area? Be sure to check out our ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE ABUSE RESOURCE GUIDE and scroll to the Minnesota section.

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