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Original poster

(Extended) Sober October?

77 replies

ScumbagDave · 25/09/2021 09:25

Is anyone planning to do Sober October this year?

I've started a bit early (yesterday). Definitely have been drinking too frequently, (not huge quantities, but too many times per week), lately! I slept like a baby last night from about 10 o'clock, when normally I'd be up till midnight watching nonsense on telly and then up in the night if I've had a glass or two of wine!

Please join me on here if you want a Sober October buddy Grin

PS: I did look and couldn't see a thread running on here, but if I've missed it, apologies for duplicating. Let me know and I'll see if HQ will delete this

OP posts:
ScoopyDoo · 01/10/2021 10:39

We sound like we have similar holidays @Thirdphase!

I think holiday beers are ok. I don't plan to give up alcohol forever. It's the habit of mid-week beers I need to break (and weekend beers when there's really no need, it's just habit). My parents only ever drank on 'occassions' like weddings, family get togethers, or when relatives came round and it was rude not to offer. So actually quite rarely. I'd like to get back to that approach to alcohol rather than see it as a normal everyday-type thing.
I'm very aware that the generation behind me have a much lower rate of alcohol use, I think I am in the boozy generation where it's been so normalised, and would like to break out of it!

Fordian · 01/10/2021 11:40

I also caved- a bit- and had one large glass of white.

While not that impressive, I am not beating myself up about it too much as previously I would have arrived at the show 2 big glasses under my belt, had a pre drink, then an interval drink!

But I won't drink today. I am out again tomorrow night (pub dinner) so, again, I will allow myself one drink during dinner. That'll be my two nights a week when I will allow myself moderate drinking.

I will see how I go!

ScoopyDoo May I ask how old you are? I read a very interesting article in The Guardian G2 only this past week about why middle aged people are the heaviest drinkers, now. It related it to our life events, and it made sense. I will see if I can find it.

Thirdphase · 01/10/2021 11:43

@ScoopyDoo yes I'm fairly active and we have hillwalking holidays. I'm making the most of not working at present and my husband is retired.

Unfortunately I can't do just one glass of wine or one G&T as I have no will power Hmm so trying to keep off the booze by regular dry spells. Don't get me wrong I'm not a heavy drinker but have become a regular one. Since Covid we've got into the habit of having a drink or two most days of the week 😁 My FIL in his early 80's, is into home brewing and he has a drink every day. I think it depends on families and their norms. Tbh FIL is still active and plays tennis twice a week, moderation works for some Grin

It's great if you can stick to drinking at weekends and on occassions, good luck.

ScoopyDoo · 01/10/2021 11:51

Thanks. I'm late 40s, work full time, do a fair amount of exercise (running, hillwalking, and weights at the gym) though none of these to a particulalrly athletic level.
I do think alcohol use was normalised for me during university and 20s/30s when everyone in my circle seemed to drink quite a lot (I'm also Scottish which doesn't help). I seemed to be able to get away with it but now can't drink much more than about 3 beers without a hangover of epic proportions, and I absolutely cannot handle wine, that would knock me out for a day. So it's been self-policing!

well done @Fordian, one glass doesn't sound bad at all.

Original poster
ScumbagDave · 01/10/2021 11:55

I think one glass is pretty great Ford, considering you were going to have double that before you even left the house!

I'm 37 and went to university in England, having grown up elsewhere. I definitely think I developed a taste for binge drinking at uni. Definitely cut down since then, but occasionally can put away huge quantities. Feel like shit afterwards obviously.

OP posts:
Fordian · 01/10/2021 12:36

Guardian article here, by Zoe Williams.

ScoopyDoo · 01/10/2021 14:27

Thank you, that's really interesting. I cannot claim to have been traumatised by fear of nuclear annihilation, or the AIDS crisis, but there is definitely something that rings true about the feminism/emancipation point for me.

Fordian · 01/10/2021 17:31

Oh, we were definitely scared by the nukes. My dad was the street's nuclear warden... and every household was given a pamphlet telling us what to do in the event of a nuclear strike (see 'When The Wind Blows' and Threads!); as for AIDS, that was a real and present danger in our early sexual experimentation!

phonicscloud · 01/10/2021 19:38

I had decided last Sunday to stop drinking for a month... forgot all about sober October so it gives me a goal! First friday night without wine since.... um... well... I honestly don't know. I have never managed a full month without alcohol before so joining here for motivation

Original poster
ScumbagDave · 01/10/2021 20:11

Welcome phonics!

OP posts:
cliffdiver · 01/10/2021 20:17

Please can I join?

Usually only drink once/twice a week but decided to stop for October.

Friday night is usually wine night. I'm not missing it so far, but I new I wouldn't be drinking as DDs are at camp and need to be on hand if case they need picking up!

Original poster
ScumbagDave · 01/10/2021 20:34

Yes, absolutely cliff! Welcome.

I ate cheesecake instead of wine, which I feel may be even worse for me. However, at least it won't affect my sleep!

OP posts:
phonicscloud · 02/10/2021 07:16

I'm feeling well this morning with no alcohol last night! Off out shopping early soon, normally this would be my day to lay in bed til lunchtime as no work and DCs with their Dad!

Original poster
ScumbagDave · 02/10/2021 09:50

Slept so long last night! I was out for the count.

Not sure I feel that energised now though - a bit groggy!

But day 9! Woohoo! Had a wobble last night and thought "oh a g&t would be lovely" and unfortunately I have both the g and the t in my fridge. But I didn't have any Halo

OP posts:
cliffdiver · 02/10/2021 10:08

Glad you had a good night's sleep @ScumbagDave

I'm feeling a little smug this morning, as DH is nursing an awful hangover.

And I have a wonderfully clear head to write up an assignment today.

AgnesV · 02/10/2021 16:54

I read that Guardian article. I think that the marketing of drink to women really ramped up at that time. Especially wine. It was the era of wine bars, cheap Australian Chardonnay etc etc. Nearly all the women I know who want to cut down drinking have an issue with wine.

Still doing ok. Nearly up to a week now so that's all good but sleep is all over the place

cliffdiver · 02/10/2021 20:02

@AgnesV Lavender spray has worked wonders with my sleep.

TertiusLydgate · 03/10/2021 15:47

Can I join?

We're doing Sober October. I find it hard to be motivated as I have done it before, many times and I never feel any better or lose any weight. I never get hangovers so that's not an issue for me.

But we have got into bad habits since Covid and will usually have a glass or 2 every night. Can't be good for you. I actually poured 2 open bottles of good wine down the sink before October 1st, so I must be committed!

I definitely find that moment in the evening when you sit down with a glass of wine, a really relaxing point and something I look forward to. But if you're doing it every day, it becomes meaningless and just habit.

We have a 50th party on the 23rd, so we might have to have that night off, but if we can do the rest of the month, I will be very pleased.

Dulsesunset · 04/10/2021 08:13

I was away for the weekend and did drink - which was planned but I did end up drinking a bit more than I had planned which shows why a reset is necessary. I am back on Sober October now. I want to only drink when out or away - no drinking at home is my aim. And to keep to pre-planned limits when I do drink. That’s the plan anyway as I’m not ready to give up completely. Wishing you all a good week.

Dulsesunset · 04/10/2021 08:16

@AgnesV - I agree with you and my issue is with wine

ScoopyDoo · 04/10/2021 15:01

Just checking in with everyone to see how we are all doing. Still no alcohol for me, really helps that my partner is also doing sober October so I have strong support! It isn't unusual for me to socialise and not drink, my friends are used to me doing that in October (this must be my 4th or 5th year) so the temptation/expectation is not so much of an issue. In fact the fact that they know helps me, I would lose some pride if I caved in...
Hope everyone is doing ok.

AgnesV · 04/10/2021 23:04

I'm doing ok too. Still finding sleep elusive. Have been eating far too many crisps though. No one in my house eats salt and vinegar so we have a mountain of them as I buy variety packs.

AgnesV · 06/10/2021 22:50

How is everyone getting on. I just had a great feeling this evening that I haven't felt worried or miserable for a few days now. Despite the fact that nothing has changed in my life. Just wanted to remind myself how good a few days of not drinking are for my general mood.

Dulsesunset · 07/10/2021 07:36

Doing okay here - had pear juice topped with soda water last night and that was very nice. Need to expand my non-alcoholic options. I usually think it would nice to have a glass of wine about 6-7pm but if I get through that I’m fine which I think shows it is an ingrained habit for me.

TertiusLydgate · 07/10/2021 11:02

We are finding it easy, but dull.

We bought some Clean Co rum and gin. Both are really nice and actually hard to tell they’re booze free.