Is 'Zebra Striping' A Better Approach To Alcohol?

Experts break down what you should know about this drinking trend and how to best apply it in your own life.

From “Damp January” to the “sober curious” movement, the number of expressions and trends related to drinking ― and reduced drinking ― that have spread across social media seems endless.

One particularly interesting approach to alcohol is “zebra striping,” which has taken hold on TikTok and beyond over the last six months. This method promises to bring a host of physical and social benefits to those who try it out.

But what exactly is zebra striping? Below, experts break down the method, and the benefits and downsides to keep in mind if you want to try it out yourself.

What is zebra striping?

“‘Zebra striping’ is a name for when a person alternates between drinking an alcoholic beverage and then a non-alcoholic beverage, and back and forth,” Erin Moran, a licensed mental health counselor and vice president of operations at Sophros Recovery, told HuffPost. “One stripe is alcohol, and one stripe is not.”