In this chapter, we focus on the emergence of the conscious-clubbing movement and its potential benefits to young adults as a way of spending social time without drinking alcohol. Efforts to promote moderate drinking among young people may be challenging when the environment strongly encourages drinking, but conscious clubbing, which has roots in rave culture and involves dancing without the use of alcohol or other drugs, may offer an alternative. Drawing on literature from the rave scene and the benefits of dancing in a group, we introduce conscious clubbing and how it could bring about meaningful experiences in participants' lives, while at the same time, reducing the consumption of alcohol, and in doing so, we draw on our own recent survey research. This research illuminates challenges in the acceptability of conscious clubbing to some young people, which we discuss alongside suggestions for new directions for research in this area, at the end of the chapter. The historical and cultural significance of ravesAnderson and Kavanaugh (2007) highlight how raves "historically referred to grassroots organized, antiestablishment and unlicensed all-night dance parties, featuring electronically produced dance music (EDM), such as techno, house, trance and drum and bass", whilst acknowledging a number of additional distinct characteristics. These include: a unique sense of cultural identity, defined by 1960s-70 era liberalism, tolerance and unity; non-commercial, "grass-roots" organization in large unlicensed venues, and identity markers or symbols, including language, style, gestures and clothing. Most significantly, many conceptualise the concomitant use of psychoactive drugs, specifically MDMA, a "flagship" rave drug (Kavanaugh & Anderson 2008) as its defining element. During this time, patrons were drawn to contexts whereby they could dance, socialise and develop a sense of community togetherness with no alcohol-related aggression, violence or sexual harassment and no alcohol hangover (Goulding, Shankar & Elliott, 2002).It is important to note however, that rave culture and psychoactive drug usage were a product of the historical and cultural context. Specifically, similarly to the 1920s US jazz and 1960s UK punk scenes, raves were considered as alternative, deviant or a form of youth subculture and identity in the late 1980s/early 1990s (Anderson & Kavanaugh, 2007;Measham, 2004). In addition to increases in both access and availability of these psychoactive drugs (Klee, 1998) at the time, the media were also considered to be amplifying public disapproval regarding alcohol consumption (and its potential relationship to public disorders), typified with discourses such as "lager lout" (Measham & Brain, 2005).Recreational drug use is considered cyclical (Kohn, 1997) and subject to fashions and trends with the decline of alcohol consumption/increase in psychoactive drug consumption changing as time progressed through the so-called decade of dance (1988( -98: Reynolds, 1998. The rave movement appears to have "died", resu...

Individuals abstaining from alcohol consumption frequently find themselves in contexts encouraging consumption, with limited alternative social interaction opportunities. Conscious clubbing events exclude alcohol and drugs, possibly providing valuable social connections, but little is known about event benefits. Twelve conscious clubbing event attendees and facilitators aged 25–55 from across Europe participated in semi-structured photo-elicitation interviews, which were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings suggested that conscious clubbing appears to enhance health, healing and growth, aiding recovery from substance dependency and trauma. Positioned as a modern ritual, symbolic and ritualistic preparations and experiences promoted storytelling and self-discovery. Connecting through synchronised but unchoreographed movement, participants engaged in powerful journeys and transformative experiences detached from life constraints. Inclusive digital and face-to-face conscious clubbing communities provided a sense of meaning and belonging away from substance use pressures and harms, particularly for those marginalised within society. Findings provide important and in-depth insights, including novel harm prevention implications. Future work should consider participatory barriers, event sustainability and misconceptions to increase event availability and participation.