Theo Nash
Teetotalism is the practice of voluntarily abstaining from the consumption of alcohol. A person who practices teetotalism is called a teetotaler (US) or teetotaller (UK), or simply said to be teetotal. The word teetotaler is believed to have originated with a man named Turner, a member of the Preston Temperance Society, who had a speech impediment and, in addressing a meeting, remarked that they must insist upon tee-tee-(stammering) tee total abstinence. Other terms associated with not drinking alcohol include sober, on the wagon, abstainer, and abstemious. According to a 2015 study, 45% of the world's adult population are lifetime abstainers, with the Eastern Mediterranean Region, consisting of Muslim countries in the Middle East and North Africa, having the lowest alcohol consumption rates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is a person called when they abstain from alcohol | Teetotaler (US), Teetotaller (UK), Abstainer, Nephalist, Sober |
| Global statistics on teetotalism (2016) | 57% of adults did not drink alcohol in the past 12 months, 44.5% had never consumed alcohol |
| Religious perspectives on alcohol abstinence | Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam |
| Youth drinking trends in Western countries | A decline in drinking has been observed among youth in Western countries, with more than one-fourth of English youth in their mid-teens to mid-20s and nearly three-tenths of college-age Americans claiming total abstinence |
| Regional differences in alcohol consumption | The Eastern Mediterranean Region, consisting of Muslim countries in the Middle East and North Africa, has the lowest alcohol consumption rates globally |
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What You'll Learn
Teetotalism
The teetotalism movement first started in Preston, England, in the early 19th century as part of the temperance movement. Temperance societies encouraged members to sign a pledge promising to abstain from alcohol and promoted total abstinence from alcoholic drinks. Some societies also issued pledge cards featuring the member's name, the date of the pledge, and other details. Temperance organizations continue to exist today to promote teetotalism and provide spaces for non-drinkers to socialise.
In recent years, there has been a decline in youth drinking in Western countries, with an increasing number of young people claiming total abstinence. Studies indicate that strong friendships and making a decision not to drink before social interactions can help individuals resist peer pressure to consume alcohol. Informal events such as "Dry January" or "Sober October" also encourage participants to abstain from alcohol and promote their abstinence on social media.
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Religion and alcohol abstinence
The world's religions have had diverse relationships with alcohol. Some strictly prohibit alcohol consumption, while others incorporate it into their rituals and ceremonies. For example, in Christianity, attitudes towards alcohol have evolved over time, with some denominations advocating for moderation and others, such as the Southern Baptist Convention, adopting resolutions opposing the consumption of alcoholic beverages. The Assemblies of God, another Christian denomination, has also been committed to abstinence from alcoholic beverages, citing biblical teachings about the abuse of wine and strong drinks.
In the mid-19th century, some Protestant Christians shifted from allowing moderate alcohol use to abstentionism or prohibitionism, believing that abstaining from alcohol was wiser or that it was a sin. Many Protestant churches, including Methodist and other Evangelical groups, continue to advocate for these positions and were early leaders in the temperance movement. The Woman's Christian Temperance Union, an ecumenical Christian organization, promotes teetotalism across various denominations.
Other religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, also emphasize alcohol abstinence. In Hinduism, consuming alcohol is considered a great sin, and Hindus are prohibited from drinking as it can lead to actions that a sound person would not typically do. In Buddhism, one of the five precepts is abstaining from intoxicating substances that disturb the peace and self-control of the mind. Observant Buddhists typically avoid alcohol consumption, as it violates this basic Buddhist code of ethics.
Additionally, the Baháʼí Faith forbids the consumption of alcohol and other drugs unless prescribed by a physician, as they are believed to take away reason and interfere with moral decision-making. Followers are also encouraged to avoid jobs related to the production or sale of alcohol.
The term "teetotaler" or "teetotaller" refers to a person who practices and advocates for teetotalism, or the voluntary abstinence from alcohol. This term originated in the temperance movement and continues to be commonly used to describe those who abstain from alcohol.
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Youth drinking trends
The term “teetotaler” (US) or “teetotaller” (UK) refers to someone who practices teetotalism, which is the voluntary abstinence from alcohol consumption. Teetotalism became popular in the early 19th century as part of the temperance movement in Great Britain and North America. While temperance advocates promoted moderation or abstention from hard liquor, teetotalers abstain from all alcohol, including beer and wine.
Trends indicate a decline in youth drinking in Western countries over the past two decades. In the US, young adults aged 18-34 have become less likely to consume alcohol, with a decrease in self-reported drinking and a lower rate of regular drinkers compared to older age groups. This shift is also observed in the UK, where young Britons are more likely to be teetotalers than their parents.
Several factors contribute to the decline in youth drinking:
- Diversifying Demographics: The increasing racial and ethnic diversity among young adults may play a role. In the US, the percentage of Black, Hispanic, Asian, and other racial minorities among 18- to 34-year-olds has nearly doubled in the past two decades.
- Resistance to Peer Pressure: Strong friendships and personal decisions not to drink can help youth resist peer pressure to consume alcohol in social settings.
- Health and Safety Risks: Alcohol consumption by youth is associated with various risks, including accidents, impaired judgment, aggressive behavior, violence, and health issues. Awareness of these consequences may influence youth to abstain or reduce their alcohol intake.
- Alternative Social Activities: The rise of alternative social activities and events, such as "Dry January" or "Sober October," provide opportunities for youth to participate in alcohol-free social interactions and promote abstinence.
The decline in youth drinking has implications for public health, public policy, and public debate. While it may lead to a "virtuous circle" of decreasing alcohol consumption and stronger alcohol control policies, there is also a risk of policy erosion as attention shifts to other public health priorities.
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Temperance societies
A person who abstains from alcohol is called a "teetotaller" or "teetotaler". The word "teetotaler" is derived from the practice of American preacher and temperance advocate Lyman Beecher, who would take the names of people who pledged alcoholic temperance at his meetings and noted those who pledged total abstinence with a "T".
The temperance movement was dedicated to promoting moderation and, more often, complete abstinence from the consumption of alcohol. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the movement became prominent in many countries, particularly in English-speaking, Scandinavian, and majority Protestant ones. It eventually led to national prohibitions in several countries, including Canada, Norway, Finland, and the United States.
The earliest temperance organizations seem to have been those founded in Saratoga, New York, in 1808, and in Massachusetts in 1813. The Massachusetts Society for the Suppression of Intemperance (MSSI), formed in 1813, is one such example. The movement spread rapidly under the influence of churches, and by 1833, there were 6,000 local societies in several U.S. states.
The first temperance society in Pennsylvania, for which a record has been found, was the "Darby Association for Discouraging the Unnecessary Use of Spirituous Liquors," organized in Delaware County in 1819. The Washington Temperance Society, whose members were known as Washingtonians, was another prominent group founded in 1840 in Baltimore, Maryland. They emphasized individual reform over societal reform and welcomed various groups that other temperance societies excluded, including Roman Catholics and Black Americans.
Many temperance groups lobbied for prohibition, and by the 1880s, the movement had become synonymous with it. Temperance organizations played an essential role in bringing about the ratification of the Eighteenth Amendment, which established national prohibition of alcohol in the United States.
The temperance movement declined in the early 20th century with the failure of Prohibition, but it laid the foundation for a new movement focused on recovery from addiction, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), founded in 1935.
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Alcoholics Anonymous
A person who abstains from alcohol is called a "teetotaller" (UK) or "teetotaler" (US). Teetotalism is the practice of voluntarily abstaining from the consumption of alcohol. Globally, in 2016, 57% of adults did not drink alcohol in the past 12 months, and 44.5% had never consumed alcohol.
The group was founded by Bill W. and Dr. Bob, who started working with alcoholics at the Akron City Hospital. One patient, who soon achieved sobriety, joined them, and together, these three men formed the foundation of Alcoholics Anonymous. Over the course of four years, these three initial groups helped around 100 people achieve sobriety.
In 1939, the fellowship published "Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism", colloquially known as the "Big Book". This publication introduced the twelve-step program and provided the basis for the organization's name. Later editions of the book expanded its subtitle to reflect the inclusion of "Thousands of Men and Women". The Twelve Steps outline a suggested program of ongoing drug rehabilitation and self-improvement. A key component involves seeking alignment or divining with a personally defined concept of "God as we understood Him".
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Frequently asked questions
A person who abstains from alcohol is called a teetotaler (US) or teetotaller (UK). The word is derived from the practice of American preacher and temperance advocate Lyman Beecher, who would take names of people who pledged alcoholic temperance at his meetings.
Teetotalism is the practice of voluntarily abstaining from the consumption of alcohol. Globally, in 2016, 57% of adults did not drink alcohol in the past 12 months, and 44.5% had never consumed alcohol.
Some other words and phrases include "abstainer", "sober", "on the wagon", "abstemious", "abstinent", "cold sober", "dry", "drying out", "nonindulgent", "unintoxicated", "sworn off", and "took the pledge".
