Could you do Sober October?

Could you do an October without any alcohol? 

Turn2Me, a national mental health charity, is encouraging the Irish public to get involved in Sober October and to quit drinking for the month. The charity said it’s a great time to reflect on your alcohol consumption and your relationship with alcohol as it can make anxiety and depression worse, reduce sleep quality, and can also heighten stress levels. 

“Reducing or cutting out alcohol can improve our mental health,” Fiona O’Malley, CEO of Turn2Me, said.

“Alcohol is a depressant. Our moods can significantly improve when we reduce or stop drinking entirely. Setting yourself a challenge of giving up alcohol for a month can help you adapt to a healthier lifestyle. It can make us reflect on how many alcohol units we consume, on average, every week and month, and it can also make us analyse our relationship with alcohol. Many people use alcohol as a social crutch, and they can start to rely on it in stressful or awkward situations. Nowadays, so many people decide to not drink at all, or not as much, on a night out thanks to so many alcohol-free alternatives. A month-long challenge like Sober October can make us consider how reliant we are on alcohol, why we consume alcohol, and how much happier we feel when we don’t drink as much or at all.”

Turn2Me stated that using alcohol to numb emotions or to reduce stress is counterproductive. The charity stated that after the initial relaxing effects wear off, the problems at the root of the stress are still there and may be heightened under the influence of alcohol.

If you are feeling anxious, depressed, or going through a period of grief free one-to-one counselling sessions and free support groups are available on the Turn2Me website, Turn2Me.ie