Do the Sober October Challenge with Affect

You may be hearing about it online and wondering, what is Sober October? Sober October is a growing movement where millions of people around the world commit to not drinking for the month of October. Whether you’re curious about your relationship with alcohol or want to experience the health benefits, Sober October provides the perfect opportunity to reset and reflect.

Sober October got its name from an initiative by a charity for cancer support in the United Kingdom (6% of all cancers are caused by alcohol use and it is one of the leading preventable causes of cancer deaths). The movement has since gone world wide and transformed into a time for reflection, self-improvement, and mindful drinking. People around the world quit drinking for the month and many also set up teams to raise money for charities. More than 10% of the adult drinking population are expected to participate in Sober October this year.

We’ve got some guidance on how to set up a Sober October online fundraiser for a charity, and we suggest a few charities that work to help fight addiction for you to consider. And of course there’s guidance on how you can use our app to have a successful Sober October.

How Affect Therapeutics can help you succeed during Sober October

At Affect, we enhance the Sober October experience with our free sober tracker, where you can count your sober days, and a gamified rewards system that motivates progress and helps keep you accountable. There is no subscription or membership fee required to use it.

Our free sober app is here to help you stay on track all month long. Our gamified system of rewards motivates users by celebrating small wins and unlocking new levels of achievement. In addition to rewards, we offer tools and content created by experts to improve well-being. Whether it’s through guided mindfulness exercises, tips on navigating social situations, or nutrition plans, you’ll find something every day of the month.

More than a typical sober app, Affect provides access to a full outpatient substance use treatment program, ranked in the top 1% of providers. Our telehealth treatment program is private, secure, and covered by insurance. If you find yourself struggling to make it through Sober October, you can just reach right out and talk to us.

What are the health benefits of not drinking for a month?

One of the reasons people do Sober October is to feel better. Abstaining from alcohol for 30 days can lead to significant health improvements:

• Improved Sleep: Alcohol disrupts sleep patterns. After a month without drinking, many people report deeper, more restful sleep.
• Enhanced Mental Clarity: Alcohol impacts cognitive function. A month off can improve focus and mood.
• Weight Loss: Alcohol is calorie-dense. By cutting it out, you may notice weight loss, particularly if you’re replacing sugary drinks.
• Stronger Immune System: Regular alcohol consumption weakens the immune system. Taking a break can help restore your body’s natural defenses.

These are just a few of the benefits people experience when they quit drinking. Many people are surprised to find out just how good they feel in just 30 days without alcohol.

Why do people struggle to stay alcohol-free for 30 days?

Making it through to Sober October isn’t always easy. Many people struggle to reach the 30-day mark due to many different reasons including:

• Social Pressure: Events like happy hours or celebrations often revolve around alcohol.
• Coping Mechanisms: People use alcohol to manage stress, anxiety, or boredom.
• Habitual Drinking: The daily habit of winding down with a drink can be hard to break.

Sober October is a time when some people realize where their triggers and stresses are, and find that they have problems controlling how much they drink. It’s not a weakness, substance use disorders are medical conditions. Proper and effective treatment works to help people regain control and live better lives. In Affect’s treatment program, we use a method called harm reduction where we focus on gradually reducing use. Members of the program double their sober days within their first month.

Reflecting on your relationship with alcohol

Sober October is not just about abstaining from alcohol; it’s a time to reflect. Why do we drink? How does alcohol impact our lives? At Affect, we encourage participants to use this month to gain insights into their relationship with alcohol. Journaling, mindfulness, and self-reflection are powerful tools that can help you better understand your habits and behaviors. Through Affect’s app, you can explore these themes and set new intentions for healthier living.

Sober October: A charity movement

The roots of Sober October go back to its origins as a charity initiative and it remains one today with millions of people setting up fundraisers and creating teams to do the challenge together.

At Affect, we support Sober October’s charitable mission and encourage people to consider supporting nonprofit organizations dedicated to addiction awareness and recovery. Here are a few to consider:

• Shatterproof: Focused on reversing the addiction crisis in America.
• Faces & Voices of Recovery: Advocates for recovery solutions.
• SAFE Project: Provides support to overcoming the addiction epidemic in the U.S.
• Partnership to End Addiction: Provides resources to families dealing with addiction.
• Daniel Copersino Foundation: Provides funding to non-profit charitable substance abuse facilities.

How to Set Up Your Sober October Fundraiser:

• Download Affect Therapeutics’ app, accept the Sober October challenge, and invite your friends or coworkers to do the same.
• Choose your charity beneficiary from the list above or select one that resonates with your personal mission.
• Set up your fundraiser page through platforms like GoFundMe or JustGiving.
• Share your journey on social media and ask for donations to support your cause.
• Celebrate your progress, knowing that your efforts are helping both yourself and others!

What if I feel sick when I try to stop drinking?

If you regularly consume large amounts of alcohol and try to stop drinking completely, it can be deadly and you should seek medical help. These are the symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal to look for:

• Hallucinations
• Seizures
• Confusion
• Racing heart
• Increased blood pressure
• Fever
• Heavy sweating
• Vomiting

How will you feel a month from now?

Affect Therapeutics is here to help you succeed in Sober October, not only through tracking your progress but also by offering the support of a full treatment program that is unique in the sober app space. Take advantage of our privacy-first, secure app, covered by insurance, and built to help you create long-lasting change. We’re here when you need us. Have a great month!