Anybody else doing Sober October?

[Trodincatsickagain]

I know there’s been a long running thread for years for dry January but I fancy having a break through October, in preparation for Xmas, give the liver a break beforehand - that is all meant very tongue in cheek 😜

Anyone fancy joining?

That’s amazing and you’ve done so well - sounds like this is becoming a permanent change. Do you feel better in yourself?

I think for me, as I only drank more or less once a week and stayed within recommended units, (albeit binged!) it’s harder to cut it out totally, but I will keep on trying!

How’s everyone else doing - Did sober October help with a reset?

Hello all, so good to see people still here!
It’s been a busy few weeks - holidays, challenges & celebrations - & whilst I haven’t been AF I’ve most definitely drank less than pre-October. So thank you @Trodincatsickagain and others for your help with that 🥰
Tonight is actually the first time that I have had an AF evening in a few days & I’m really chuffed! Wasn’t sure I could still do it but, hey, turns out I can!!
With hindsight I have felt a decrease in the health benefits that I / we experienced during October. Knowing all this, it’s definitely time to go back to an AF lifestyle as much as possible - I just don’t want those negatives back for a while 😇
Hope you’re all well & enjoying the autumn weather & build up to Christmas.

Hi. I didn’t do October but have done alcohol free November! I surprised myself with how easy I found it, I even turned down a sample of rum in Costco! I am going to drink in December but am aiming to cut right back. Know I can do it now. I have felt healthier during this month but haven’t noticed any changes to my skin,weight or sleep. It was a great help to me to read all of your experiences on the October thread and it definitely gave me the motivation to go af. I hope you all have a great December and remain as af as you want to.

I stopped 2 weeks ago so haven’t done a full month but it’s a big deal for me. I was drinking around 4 bottles of red every week. Just became so habitual, so easily it was scary. Started off with 1 bottle on a Saturday night, descended into another on Friday and then Thursday and then oh maybe Wednesday too. My sleep was terrible and I was always so groggy during the day. I used to only drink on special occasions I.e birthday, Christmas, a wedding or event of some kind. Just went through a tough time and realised red wine made me feel good.

Anyway 2 weeks down. Will drink Christmas Eve and day, I’ve already decided this but then back to being sober straight after!

@Daffydaffodil25 well done! The first few evenings, or that special event, can be incredibly tough but the feeling of AF success really is worth it. Keep on being strong, but also allowing yourself that drink or two as the festive season arrives.

@Sartre that’s a great reduction in your wine consumption, your body will be so very grateful ☺️ I know how easily the increased drinking can creep up on us, particularly with work & life stress, and it’s often so hard to ignore that unhelpful lie of “just one glass”. But you did ignore it & you should be very proud of that!

I’ll admit that I struggled this evening, but succeeded with the help of a large quantity of sugary carbs 😁 I’m pleased; I feel clear headed & optimistic about a decent night’s sleep.

Hope everyone has a calm & productive AF week 💐

Day 2 of the re-reset ✅

How goes it @HotTiredDog! Did you have a fantastic time on the cruise? Sounds like you did really well on the alcohol front. So day 2 of the reset - is this aiming at AF for a bit or moderating in the week? I have decided not to drink until Xmas day - whether I get that far or temptation gets in the way, remains to be seen, but that’s the plan. However, I do intend to go all out Xmas day and will enjoy myself but then will hurl myself into dry January - might have to start another thread 😁

Sounds really positive @Sartre - how are you feeling now, noticing any benefits?

You seem to have just breezed through this af lark! @Daffydaffodil25 are you planning to stay af from now on or will you relent at Xmas?

I hope that everyone else is keeping well and still feeling those benefits of sober October!

Hi @Trodincatsickagain . It was certainly a lot easier than I thought it would be. As I said before I think that knowing the goal was a whole month was easier than say cutting down through the week. I am going to drink in December but having had the break it’s time for new habits. Aiming for more alcohol free days through the week 🤞🏻.

Day 3 ✅

Hi @Trodincatsickagain how are you? I like that you have a AF strategy for the coming weeks. How are your health benefits, are you still feeling them?
Not sure what my own plans are, just the one day at a time plan at the moment I guess. Definitely trying not to drink when I’m stressed or annoyed, that doesn’t help 🤬

Must admit, it’s good to be back, I’ve had such a full month - fab cruise, managed to properly relax. Then a few days at home, away, home, away and finally home again!
Very much looking forward to not doing much but given that Christmas is rapidly approaching & we seem to be opening some sort of hostel for in-laws & teens, I don’t think that will happen - definitely need to get a bit more organised!

@HotTiredDog It sounds like it’s been a very busy but enjoyable time and now you have xmas to look forward to. One day at a time is always a good way to go - every day AF is such a positive.

I definitely feel better physically and have less energy slumps - more get up and go. I think the brain feels a bit sharper too for not killing off those brain cells every weekend. Probably like @Daffydaffodil25 I like the thought of taking alcohol off the table until Xmas day, where I’m then looking forward to having a drink and eating to excess! 😁

I’m debating whether to put the decs up this weekend - this will be very early for me but it’s been a bit of a tough year in one way and another so maybe a bit of twinkle ⭐️ is just what’s needed!

And that’s day 4 done ✅

Yes, get the deca up this weekend! (Or at least start, and see what’s missing from your collection - think of the ££ saved from being af and replace that expenditure with some new baubles 🎄)

Two units tonight as it was DM’s birthday meal - v pleased with myself that I turned down multiple offers to stick with that.
Honestly this reset lark is sooo good!!

I had some red wine last night. I enjoyed it but didn’t go daft. I think doing a month af has made a difference mentally. Glad you stayed strong last night @HotTiredDog . Enjoyment in moderation is my goal. 😂

Happy Xmas Eve!

Thought I would pop in and see how everyone is doing over this festive period? I am thoroughly enjoying over eating on chocolate and cheese footballs and there’s definitely been more wine on the menu than planned this last week but hey it’s Xmas and I will just get back on board come January.

Nothing better than depriving yourself of all the good stuff on the most miserable month of the year 😆

Hope everyone has a great Christmas 🎄🎁🌲

Having kept off for November, I had three happy days, then came down with flu, and have just (yesterday) finished the bottle of wine I opened on December 1st.

Thoroughly deserved 🍷 I would say and pleased you’re now on the mend in time for Xmas and well done for your dry November!

Happy Christmas & general season’s greetings to everyone on this thread, I hope you have a great day.

I’ve had so much support from this thread over the last 3 months, it’s honestly been so important to me - and @Trodincatsickagainhas been pivotal in all of this. It’s been great to see everyone else’s successes, those helped to keep me strong.

I’ve reframed my relationship with alcohol & am no doubt healthier as a result. Amazingly, I’ve lost 6kg & am feeling the benefits of being able to move more easily (& fit into my clothes more comfortably!) So thank you very much for starting the thread & for being here for so long!

What an amazing update! I’m so pleased that your health is improving and 6kgs weight loss! those kind of health benefits are enough to keep anyone motivated and a reminder why we started this.

Funny enough, it’s Christmas Day but I don’t feel like drinking and likely won’t. I’ve drank in the lead up, but not excessive, and today mince pies and a bucket load of chocolate 🍫 seems more appealing. I like the health benefits too of drinking less and I don’t want that jaded, depressed, liverish feeling that I get when over indulging - of course I might feel different tomorrow 😄

Have a really great Christmas 🎄 everyone and thank you all too for the support and company!

Happy New Year 🥳

Who’s up for Dry January? It will be day 2 for me, as totally over did it Tuesday evening and felt far too delicate last night to celebrate 😄

I hope that everyone had a great Christmas and here’s to (for me anyway) a better 2026.

Happy New Year @Trodincatsickagain . Definitely up for dry January although have been pretty restrained over Christmas. May start tomorrow as doing a big roast tonight and have a couple of opened bottles of wine to finish.Im sure DH would take on the task but like to enjoy a glass 😊

Personally very glad to see the back of 2025 - onwards and upwards into 2026

I sank back into bad ways over Christmas.....feeling rather bad about that. However, going to try again now it's January...starting on Monday.....( There is still open wine left )

I’m going to start on Sunday as like others I have some open wine to drink.
Good luck to everyone partaking.

Good luck to all of you. I'll stay drinking until Lent, but still have a post-flu lack of enthusiasm - consumption for December was 1x700cc bottle and 1x500 cc bottle, both 12.5 proof, so about 15 units, plus a few glasses of sherry, maybe 7 more units. More restrained than usual because of flu.

I’m really looking forward to hanging out again with old friends and new! 😄

Day three and I’m still feeling pretty grotty—low energy, a grumbly, acid-refluxy stomach. It’s not just the alcohol, but all the rich, fatty “because I’m drinking” food that came with it. I’ve definitely gained a few pounds too, though the scales and I are not on speaking terms just yet! I’ll wait till I’ve got a few good days under my belt for that.

Honestly, I’m ready for this in every way. I’m ready to feel that springy, refreshed version of myself again that I was the end of last year.

Have a good day all!

Day 1 and so ready for this - my gastritis has been playing up all over Christmas, some due to usual Christmas stress but the rest chocolate and alcohol.
Back to work this afternoon with a clinic until 6.30 so that’s my witching hour covered. Although to be honest due to current mindset I don’t think I’ll miss drinking the first couple of days at all.
Welcome and good luck to everyone over this first weekend 😊