Go sober for October

[Soubriquet]

Isn’t it amazing?

People who are teetotal or don’t drink often get slated as its “not fun to not drink”

Yet, do it for one month in the name of charity and look! It’s amazing. Wow. You’re so strong

You are quite right @heveranne I shouldn't let it bother me. I can't quite put my finger on what the problem is, although I suspect it's the martyrdom aspect of it all. Having seen your post though I can see it may benefit to those not inclined to be so dramatic all over SM which I hadn't actually considered before. Should you go ahead I wish you every success.

As someone with an alcohol problem I find initiatives like this quite helpful. For 'dry January' and 'sober October' you can go for a meal and order soda and lime or a cup of tea without feeling like the odd one out. It feels like the world is supporting you rather than judging you, that you are being encouraged to join in with not drinking, rather being encouraged to join in with lots of drinking.

But to get someone else to sponsor you to do it. No Way! YANBU

Oh god. I would die if I went the whole month, I’m no alcoholic but I like a drink on fri/sat. Who does stuff like this?!?!

Pointless me doing it cos I like a couple of g & it's in the evening and I'm not giving that up for all the tea in China and for October

@dowehaveastalker I'm doing a 6 week body transformation boot camp challenge so no wine for 6 weeks!

Like a pp I have got into habitual drinking though so I'm doing it for my health.

I'll probably only drink on special occasions when it's over as I'm doing the GNR next year and want to be serious about my training. I'm doing a 10k in January too and one in May.

A healthier 2020 awaits me!

What's your aibu exactly?

I'm teetotal so it really doesn't apply to me.
Would I sponsor someone to not drink for a month? Maybe, i've never had anyone ask me to sponsor them for sober October, but if I thought it would be good for someone I care about's health, then I might well do so to encourage them. Big picture it's effectively donating to charity to help create a social environment that suits me personally better so it's really a win-win for me.

Do I think a campaign which encourages people not to drink/ to think about their drinking habits - even if it's targeted at only a temporary hiatus, its effects are likely to reach longer than that - is a good thing. Yes

@dowehaveastalker I said exactly that last year! Honestly thought it was the most ridiculous thing ever, no idea how anyone could possibly do it. No way could I do without relaxing glass of red of an evening.

I'm now 7 months sober.

Thank. Fucking. God.

Its only the friends I have who seem to drink a fair amount that do it. It’s pointless if after a month they go back to drinking the same amount as before.

I can see both sides of this.

I am currently joining in with Sober October and have sponsored myself approx. 50% of the money I have estimated it will save me. I'm certainly not asking anyone else for sponsorship and have not mentioned it on social media, or anywhere else for that matter (unless it comes up naturally in conversation, such as being offered a drink). Totally agree that it doesn't seem worthy of sponsorship in the same way that a marathon or similar would. My husband insisted on sponsoring me too as it is for a good cause but I didn't ask him to. I agree it is not worthy of the social media fuss... but...

On the other hand the concept of it has provided a very helpful kick start / user-friendly way into sobriety for me. I was not a daily drinker or even close to that but tend to lack an off-switch and have been aware for a while that my drinking is heavier and more regular than it should be. This has been the perfect way to dip my toe into the waters without any pressure or questions from those around me (rightly or wrongly that can be hard at first!)

I am finding everything pretty easy so far and am genuinely really excited to be doing this. I am keeping it all pretty quiet but am planning to go for 100 days after the October thing and then hopefully never go back.

I am sure that I am not the only one in this position. I imagine many people are secretly concerned about their drinking to a greater lesser extent and something like this can really be of use as a way into a different lifestyle. I would not personally have decided to suddenly stop drinking towards the end of last month if Sober October was not coming up. There are many people out there with existing or developing drink problems and if this helps even a small proportion to reassess I really can't see it as a bad thing.

I wouldnt be so quick to assume that people are not donating their own savings either. The website has a 'sponsor yourself' option and it certainly never occurred to me not to. I believe the Dry January app has something similar and also has the option to donate a proportion of money saved. Part of the incentive for me personally is that I can both help my own health and wallet and also give to good causes with money saved...