October is finally here and for many people, it’s a month that represents a chance to detox from alcohol or ditch it altogether, as they begin the sobriety challenge known as ‘Sober October’.
Will you be taking part?
It’s that time of year again when we ditch the booze and challenge ourselves to abstain from alcohol for the month of October.
Although a celebration of health, willpower and camaraderie, this challenge has been known to expose those who may have a problem.
A little background
This sobriety challenge is believed to have originated from hugely popular Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
In October 2017, Rogan announced that along with two of his buddies, he was going to rally around a friend and quit drink and drugs for a month.
The announcement struck a nerve with listeners around the world and Sober October was born.
The event is now recognised worldwide thanks to the popularity of the podcast, with many charities and organisations jumping on the trend to promote their good causes.
And with Dry January starting in 2013, the addition of Sober October has given drinkers the chance to enjoy alcohol-free challenges twice a year, if they choose.
Socially acceptable
Alcohol is a societally accepted “tool” which is used for everything and many who have previously participated in this month-long challenge have found it tough – with many participants commenting that they didn’t realise how much they drunk until they had to stop!
And who can blame them?
Alcohol is everywhere; from TV adverts to Sunday BBQ’s and everything in between.
The normalisation of alcohol by advertisers, marketers and the media has contributed to it becoming one of the most lethal legal drugs in existence.
You will find it hard to go anywhere without being reminded of the hold alcohol has over our society.
- Mourning a loss? Have a drink.
- It’s the weekend? Have a drink.
- Long day at work? Have a drink.
- Celebrating a birthday? Have a drink.
How many of these can you relate to?
The point is, it’s hard to shake the temptation to drink on any given occasion because alcohol is so readily available and socially acceptable.
And given events over the past couple of years, society’s relationship with alcohol may have become a whole lot worse.
Since the end of the lockdowns across the world, many have gone back to the pub or liquor store to continue their boozy ways, although many never let the closure of pub or liquor store stop them in the first place.
This is why Sober October has come at a perfect time.
For those of you on the fence about taking part in the challenge, you may want to consider the time spent without a hangover and how much more money you’ll save this month!
But seriously, it is about so much more than that.
If you choose to use Sober October as a detox tool, this month will come as a nice change, but if you feel you may have a problem with alcohol, the event will surely be welcomed, although it might be a little overwhelming – even if you do complete it.
If you have a difficult relationship with alcohol and manage to complete the challenge, you may get blinded by your success; it could mask a deeper problem and put you in a further sense of denial…
I’m sure you’ve all heard someone say, “I don’t have a problem. I can give up for a month, maybe more.”
But for many, this isn’t the case.
You may be convinced that your mates have exaggerated how bad your drinking actually is, however, sobriety challenges often highlight your problem when you start drinking daily again afterwards.
You can do it
If you find yourself in this situation or see the Sober October challenge as a step too far, remember there’s help out there; try doing the challenge with a friend or seek support from a local support organisation.
It is important, if you do struggle to control your alcohol intake, that you don’t slip back into your old ways: keep moving forward.
This is what makes Sober October and Dry January good starting points if you’re struggling with an addiction to alcohol, or think you think someone you love has a problem, because it gives you/them something to work towards.
Win each day, accumulate those wins and make it to the end of October; sober and more in control.
Here are five quick tips to enjoy your month off of booze:
- Use the month to build some positive habits for yourself; try meditation, start journaling, create a productive morning routine or get out in nature more.
- Keep yourself busy; get a new hobby or find a new passion.
- Look after yourself; eat healthily, get proper sleep and exercise regularly.
- Stay connected with friends; believe it or not, alcohol isn’t needed in order to socialise, despite what many may think, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn that you can still enjoy the company of your friends without getting “buzzed”.
- Enjoy the experience; relax and take it easy, do the best you can and support others.
Remember, this isn’t an excuse to get smashed on November 1st!
Doesn’t getting drunk to celebrate this achievement defeat the object of participating in the first place?!
Overall, the challenge is a great idea and has highlighted many people’s drinking habits, either forcing them to admit they may have a problem or giving their body a welcomed detox.
So, whether you are going to take the Sober October challenge for fun, fitness or friends, or to change your bad habits; I raise my coffee cup to you and wish you the best of luck.
You’ve got this!
Thank you for reading “Sober October: Detox Or Ditch”.
Be sure to check out the last post: “Porn Is The Real Pandemic“.
Take care,
Birth of Clarity
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