Sober October: Highlighting Drinking Habits
AFF Newsletter on Substack #40
Welcome to the AFF Newsletter on Substack.
Thank you for being here with me. Remember, you can also find AFF on Instagram, Twitter, Gumroad, Telegram, Buy Me A Coffee and via the website.
Sober October
For many people, the month of October represents a chance to detox from alcohol and/or potentially ditch it altogether by taking part in the sobriety challenge known as Sober October.
Although a celebration of health, willpower, camaraderie and fundraising, this challenge has been known to expose those who have a problem with alcohol.
A little background
This sobriety challenge is believed to have originated from the 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.
Show your support by sharing the AFF Newsletter and earn rewards for your referrals:
Socially acceptable
Alcohol is so societally accepted that many who’ve previously participated in this month-long challenge find it tough. A common ‘complaint’ is that the month highlights how much they drink - something they hadn’t realised until they chose to stop!
Are you surprised?
Alcohol is everywhere. It’s ingrained in every social event; from Sunday BBQs to weddings. It’s all over our TV screens, at the movies and in the music we listen to.
For a lot of people, seeing alcohol everywhere won’t matter too much, but for an addict - whether they realise they are one or not - these images, words and portrayals will romanticise its usage and allow them to associate drinking with the emotions they are feeling.
This normalisation of alcohol from 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.
Sober October has a knack for highlighting innocuous things that lead people to drink and it can be these ‘little things’ that lead to addiction.
I mean, how many of these can you relate to?
It’s dinnertime? Have a drink.
It’s the weekend? Have a drink.
Long day at work? Have a drink.
Kids stressing you out? Have a drink.
The point is that it’s hard to shake the temptation to drink on any given occasion because alcohol is so readily available and socially acceptable.
This is why Sober October is so popular. It gives people the chance to break social norms while knowing that they’re not alone in doing it and under no pressure to stop completely - even if they need to.
Blessing and a curse
A month free from alcohol can be viewed as both a blessing and a curse. For some people, they will see the challenge as a chance to save some money and not deal with hangovers for the month. Others might see it as a good way to raise money for charities.
For a lot of people though, the chance to detox will come as a welcomed rest from their drinking. Some will know that they drink too much and be glad for a break. Others will not fully know they have a problem but will be up for challenging their willpower.
But the challenge can be overwhelming for some people while others can become emotional when their drinking habits are highlighted.
However, there is another side that I would like people who already have a difficult relationship with alcohol to consider when thinking about doing the challenge.
Speaking from personal experience as someone who has completed challenges like this before, the danger is becoming blinded by success.
It’s easy to get cocky and think that you’re able to quit whenever you want now - which might be the case for some people.
I’m sure you’ve heard someone say; “I don’t have a problem. I can give up for a month, maybe more,” but for many people, this isn't the case. It can mask a deeper problem and put them in a further sense of denial.
You may be convinced that your mates have exaggerated how bad your drinking is so after the challenge you slowly go back to drinking destructively once again.
I also write the Birth of Clarity newsletter, please check it out!
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 organisation. You can also join the AFF Community.
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 alcohol addiction, or think you think someone you love has a problem because it gives you/them something to work towards.
The important thing, in my opinion, is to not let the success of the challenge deter you from carrying on. That might sound like a strange thing to say but as I’ve outlined above from my own experience, it’s too easy to start drinking again when you think you can stop at any time.
The sad reality is, you probably can’t and I know many people will not like to hear that. I wouldn't have listened to that back in my drinking days either! It’s harsh but true.
Quick tips
The best advice I can give to those tackling Sober October is to win each day, accumulate those wins and make it to the end of the month sober and more in control.
You can use this month to:
Build some positive habits: Try meditation, start journaling, create a productive morning routine and/or get out in nature more.
Try new things: Get a new hobby or find a new passion.
Look after yourself: Eat healthily, get proper sleep and exercise regularly.
Stay connected or get reconnected with friends: Believe it or not, alcohol isn’t needed 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: Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Relax and take it easy. Enjoy the detox and do the best you can to level up your life.
And remember, this isn’t an excuse to get smashed on November 1st! Getting drunk to celebrate this achievement defeats 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 bodies a welcomed detox.
So, whether you are going to take the Sober October challenge for fun, fitness or friends, change your bad habits or start your sobriety journey; I raise my coffee cup to you and wish you the best of luck.
You’ve got this!
I hope you enjoyed this free edition of the AFF Newsletter on Substack. If you have any thoughts, questions or suggestions, then please get in touch:
Take care of yourself and your family,
AFF
If you’d like to support this newsletter, you can give a one-off donation here.