The Power of Alcohol-Free
Addicted to bad news? Don't let doomscrolling ruin your sobriety!
By Anthony
To begin
The hyper-connected world we live in constantly exposes us to a flood of bad news. Economic crises, natural disasters, geopolitical tensions—it is hard not to feel concerned, or even alarmed, by this succession of tragedies. Faced with this avalanche of anxiety-inducing information, many find themselves caught up in a familiar habit: doomscrolling—a frenzy of scrolling through negative news for long periods. While this behaviour can worsen anxiety, it can also drive some people towards alcohol, which is perceived as a temporary refuge. In this article, discover why we are so susceptible to bad news and how to protect your sobriety from this digital spiral.
What is doomscrolling?
Doomscrolling is a compulsive behaviour that involves continuously consuming negative news, even though it causes us to feel increasing stress.
The term comes from English, where "doom" signifies a grim fate, and "scrolling" refers to the ceaseless scrolling through content on screens. This phenomenon tends to intensify during times of crisis, when we want to stay constantly informed. However, this habit can ultimately become harmful, as it may heighten feelings of fear, helplessness, and anxiety.
Faced with this prolonged stress, some people may be tempted to turn to alcohol to relax or numb these emotions—a "solution" that can quickly turn into a trap...
Why is our brain drawn to bad news?
Doomscrolling stems from a well-known quirk of the human brain: we have a negativity bias that drives us to pay more attention to negative information than to positive information. This mechanism, rooted in our survival instinct, prompts us to spot potential dangers so we can avoid them. Neuroscience and psychology have shown that negative events capture more of our attention because they satisfy an instinctive need for protection.
The study "Bad Is Stronger than Good" published in the Review of General Psychology (Baumeister et al., 2001) explains this phenomenon. According to the researchers, negative emotions are more intense and leave a more lasting impression on our minds. This sensitivity to bad news is exploited by digital platform algorithms, which highlight anxiety-inducing headlines to capture our attention. The result: we keep scrolling and reading, feeling overwhelmed— trapped in the cycle of doomscrolling.
The vicious cycle between doomscrolling and alcohol consumption
The link between doomscrolling and the temptation to drink alcohol is significant. Faced with this accumulation of anxiety-inducing information, stress and anxiety rise, often leaving us feeling mentally and emotionally exhausted.
To escape this state, many turn to alcohol, which is perceived as a quick way to unwind and relieve tension. However, this habit can quickly turn into a vicious cycle where alcohol becomes an automatic response to the stress of doomscrolling. Over time, this pattern can harm mental and physical health, because alcohol solves nothing fundamental and only amplifies negative emotions.
How to break the cycle and maintain sobriety
Fortunately, it is possible to implement simple strategies to avoid the trap of doomscrolling and maintain sobriety.
Here are a few practical tips:
- Limit your exposure to the news: set specific times during the day to check the news, and avoid doing so before going to sleep.
- Turn off news app notifications: this reduces the temptation to check your phone every time an alert pops up and limits exposure to negative content.
- Prioritise reliable, moderate news sources: look for news outlets (including citizen media?) that maintain a balanced tone and avoid sensationalism.
- Replace doomscrolling with calming activities: try meditation, writing, or reading positive content to help you recentre.
- Find other ways to manage stress: instead of turning to alcohol, explore alternatives like physical exercise, which boosts dopamine production and improves mood.
The benefits of sobriety for coping with doomscrolling
Although alcohol is often seen as a "quick fix" for relaxation, it can actually worsen the anxiety and depression triggered by doomscrolling. By choosing sobriety, you will be better equipped to handle the stress caused by bad news, thanks to greater mental clarity. Furthermore, cutting back on or eliminating alcohol improves sleep quality, concentration, and mood. You will thus be better able to choose the information you consume and react calmly, without giving in to anxiety.
By following these few tips, you can escape the doomscrolling spiral and maintain your sobriety, even in an ever-present digital environment. It is essential to remember that, in the face of an information overload, controlling our media consumption—much like controlling alcohol intake—remains key to preserving our mental well-being and physical health.