Here’s How to Do Sober October Right

In the October sober spirit, some people may have embarked on a month-long sobriety stay.

For occasional drinkers, giving up alcohol altogether may seem like overkill. Don’t scientists agree that a glass of red wine a day can help people live longer?

But two-thirds of US adults routinely drink above moderate levels, defined as “two drinks or less in a day for men, or one drink or less in a day for women.”

About 90% of people who drink excessively do not meet criteria for a serious alcohol use disorder. However, they can still have alcohol problems that affect their health and personal relationships. The pandemic has also increased alcohol consumption by many Americans, particularly women, who often wear multiple hats in their households.

Heavy drinking is linked to a long list of health problems, including kidney disease, heart disease, cognitive decline and depression. And a recent study suggested that even one alcoholic drink a day could decrease brain volume.

No matter how much you drink on a regular basis, sober October is the perfect time to reassess your drinking habits and explore healthier alternatives to your alcoholic beverage of choice. Dive into our Sober October series to find your taste.

The Sober Curious movement explained

If drying out isn’t the path for you, you might still be interested in learning about the sober inquisitive movement. Being soberly curious means thinking about your relationship with alcohol and how drinking makes you feel. It gives you the ability to see how much alcohol you have Yes, really drink and why you are drawn to it. Then you can decide how you want to reduce your overall alcohol consumption.

What else you can drink instead of alcohol

Once you’ve decided how much you want to reduce, you can replace your glass of wine or beer with something fun. Surprise: It doesn’t always have to be mineral water. Whether you’ve been drinking to loosen up at a party or to relieve stress, there’s an alternative for every occasion – from kombucha and mocktails to CBD-infused drinks and kava tea.

Get your hands on these mocktail recipes

If you’ve been drinking alcohol for its taste, you don’t have to compromise on flavor or complexity, even if you choose a non-alcoholic beverage. Mocktails are becoming increasingly popular in bars and restaurants, and you can easily make them at home with just a few ingredients. For your discerning taste buds, we’ve come up with three stunning fall-themed mocktail recipes. Try these out at your next house party and you’re guaranteed to be a famous sensational sober bartender in your friend group.

What a sober routine can do for your personal life

Our associate, Claire Wolters, stayed sober for six months during the pandemic. When she took her first sip of alcohol after many months of detoxification, it felt almost sinful. But she realized that all of the healthy habits she’d developed while going alcohol-free stayed with her, even though she decided to go back to casual drinking.