Regardless of your reason for reducing or eliminating your alcohol consumption-whether for improved mental health, better quality sleep, an increase in energy levels, or alongside treatment programs-Sober October is a great way to begin living a sober lifestyle.
Sober curious but unsure of what taking part in Sober October entails. Check out all the details before committing to the challenge…
What Exactly is Sober October?
Similar to Dry January, Sober October is another month-long movement dedicated to reducing or eliminating your alcohol intake. Not everyone who decides to participate is struggling with a substance use disorder. Since October is 31 days long, you’ll be asked to reduce or eliminate your alcohol consumption for the entire month. The idea for Sober October started in the United Kingdom by Macmillan Cancer Support as a fundraiser for people with cancer. If you’ve been searching for a reason to stop drinking, raising money for cancer is an excellent way to start.
Even though it began in the United Kingdom, millions of individuals have jumped on board worldwide. Some celebrities like Joe Rogan, Kelly Slater, and Roseanne Barr have been vocal about participating in the challenge.
Sober October Rules
Am I Drinking Too Much?
How much is considered too much? The CDC considers moderate drinking as two drinks or less daily for males and one drink or less for females. However, about two-thirds of adults report drinking more than that amount at least once a month. Unfortunately, the Pandemic caused a considerable increase in the quantity and frequency of adult drinking. A study performed in 2020 on Alcohol Consumption during the Pandemic reported that 60% of participants increased alcohol consumption over the year, and more than 1/3 reported they engaged in binge drinking, defined as five or more alcoholic beverages in one sitting for males and four for females. Some individuals may realize they have an alcohol addiction and require alcoholism treatment; types of treatment vary depending on the client’s needs. Selecting an inpatient rehab that provides evidence-based treatment options and behavioral health services works best.
Numerous studies reveal that alcohol is not considered healthy. According to the World Heart Federation, there is no safe amount regarding heart health. And even moderate drinking reserved for the weekend can have social, emotional, and psychological impacts and create an alcohol dependence.
What Are There Health Benefits of Sober October?
Drinking alcohol hurts to sleep, and it only gets more disruptive as you age. I’m sure you can reflect on your younger days when you could stay out all night and do it again the next day. However, one late alcohol-filled evening now results in a two-day hangover. Lack of adequate sleep can cause poor decision-making, affect our memory and decrease our general productivity. Research suggests that sleep patterns will begin to adjust in about two weeks after eliminating alcohol from our life. Better sleep in just two weeks sounds like it’s worth trying out. When you sleep better, you tend to eat better, resulting in feeling better mentally and physically. Even if you don’t have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, the decision to turn to commit to not drinking for 31 days will open your eyes to new ways of celebrating and de-stressing.
No Alcohol, No Problem
Going alcohol-free has never been easier. There is a wide selection of no-alcohol or low-alcohol products, such as beer, wine, and alcohol-free spirits. Many people are embracing the sober movement. It’s great to attend an event and have a great time but wake up hangover free. Some participants use meditation to improve their spiritual awakening and overall well-being.
What happens to the body when you abstain from alcohol for 30 days?
1. Improved liver function
2. Decreased risk of cardiovascular disease
3. Decreased risk of cancer
4. Loss of excess weight
5. Increased brain function
Assess and Change Your Relationship with Alcohol
Sober October is an excellent opportunity to assess and modify our relationship with alcohol. Eliminating or reducing alcohol consumption for 31 days can positively impact daily routines. Do you drink because it’s the weekend, or has a glass of wine every night after putting the kids to bed? Examining these habits and routines throughout the month is an excellent way to evaluate what impact alcohol has on your life. Everyone is different, but they say it typically takes 30 days to change a habit or develop a new routine, and since October is 31 days, you get one extra day to do just that. In 31 days, you will have encountered some stress or situation that you usually would have used alcohol to cope with or celebrate, and due to the rules of Sober October, you will have dealt with it alcohol-free. After 31 days, some people participating in Sober October choose to continue because they enjoy all the benefits sobriety offers. Thirty-one days allows people to examine the role that alcohol plays in their lives and identify any negative patterns that may require additional support, such as alcohol rehab, drug rehab, alcohol addiction recovery, or twelve steps support group. Practice these principles if you want to eliminate alcohol and drug abuse due to these steps.
Recovery From Alcohol
Avatar Residential Detox Center provides drug and alcohol addiction treatment if you want to stay sober beyond October. Our treatment facility is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to answer any of your questions, accept admissions and provide support.
