Staying sober for the entire month of October may sound like a difficult challenge. But if you struggle with addiction, doing so offers a wonderful opportunity to sober up before the holidays. You can also take the opportunity to join the Macmillan’s Go Sober for October Campaign and help raise money for cancer support.
As you try to make it through 31 days of addictive habits, remember that when you emerge, you will be a stronger, maybe even ready to take sobriety a step further abstaining for life?
Health Benefits of Sober October
One of the biggest benefits of abstaining are health related. These include a better sleep cycle, healthier eating habits, motivation to exercise and improve body functions with a detoxifying effect. Your neurotransmitters will boost serotonin levels and instantly improve your mood.
How to make it through Sober October
Juliet Hodges is a UK behavior change advisor. She shares some tips for making Sober October easier to accomplish.
- Believe you have willpower.
Research shows that we all have the power to exercise self-control. This includes you — if you believe you can do it! - Go sober with someone.
Solicit support from your friends. The competitive element may spurn you on. If your friends are not ready to go clean, they may sobriety (short or long-term) difficult for you. So, if they aren’t willing to give up drinking and/or drug use for a month, this could be a signal it’s time to find like-minded friends. - Explore alternative options.
No use tempting fate. Avoid situations where you will be tempted. Instead, pursue alternate activities. That way, you won’t end up over-exercising your willpower. If you are in a bar while trying to avoid alcohol, try a virgin cocktail. Intrepid barmen around the globe have made this quite the trend. - Break milestones into manageable chunks.
Sometimes, breaking seemingly endless tasks into smaller milestones makes them easier to achieve. Break up the 31 days of October into weeks or days and organize an (alcohol and drug-free) reward for each milestone.
- Employ mindfulness and urge-surfing
The idea behind urge-surfing is to pay attention to an urge instead of trying not to think about it. The rationale is that the urge becomes stronger if you ignore it, whereas if you ponder the feelings that accompany the urge, you can confront it without easily giving in.
THE CHALLENGE WILL NOT BE AN EASY ONE. AFTER ALL; YOU ARE HUMAN. SO, REMEMBER, IT OKAY TO STRUGGLE. IF YOU BREAK YOUR PROMISE TO YOURSELF, DON’T GIVE UP. JUMP BACK INTO THE RESOLUTION. TREAT YOURSELF WITH SELF-COMPASSION AND DON’T FORGET TO CELEBRATE SMALL VICTORIES! AND IF YOU ARE READY TO SEEK HELP, CHECK OUT MFI RECOVERY.
About MFI
Throughout 10 facilities in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, we employ the Matrix Model, creating a personalized treatment program for each client. Various modalities can include behavior modification, 12-Step program introduction, cognitive behavioral therapy, and family systems techniques, including the family in group therapy. Treatment options include outpatient and inpatient detox, medication management (if appropriate), group therapy, individual therapy, relapse prevention education, and ongoing support after treatment. To find out more, call (866) 218-4697, or for non-admission related information, contact us at (951) 683-6596.
