Chapter 1: Understanding Sobriety Challenges

I've heard of Dry January and Sober October, but this year, I discovered another sobriety initiative: “Sober September.” This month is recognized in the United States as National Recovery Month, prompting some individuals to challenge themselves to abstain from alcohol for the entire month.

Similar to Dry January and Sober October, Sober September allows drinkers to reassess their relationship with alcohol. This period of sobriety can help them gain insight into how alcohol influences their lives and may encourage a permanent reduction in drinking. I've even encountered people who initiate their long-term sobriety journeys during these months.

However, my focus today isn’t on these month-long challenges. While they can be beneficial, I believe they are often more suited for casual drinkers than for those grappling with true alcoholism.

As someone in recovery, I understand how daunting the prospect of remaining sober for an entire month can be. When I was still drinking, the idea of going a month without alcohol felt nearly as unthinkable as committing to a decade of sobriety.

Thus, I propose a fresh sobriety challenge: One Day Sober.

When I decided to stop drinking, I concentrated on making it through each day rather than fretting over how I would manage a month or a year. This approach was effective for me and has helped many other individuals in recovery as well.

The phrase “one day at a time” has become a well-known mantra in recovery circles for good reason. It’s some of the best counsel any newly-sober individual can receive.

If you’re contemplating quitting drinking, I challenge you to simply make it through today without alcohol.

But here’s the tough part: that day needs to be today.

Sobriety doesn’t succeed if you keep postponing it, telling yourself you’ll quit tomorrow or next week. I spent years doing just that, constantly finding excuses to delay my quit date.

It wasn’t until I reframed my mindset, viewing sobriety not as something I would do in the future, but as something I was actively doing right now, that I could finally quit.

It’s undoubtedly challenging to stop, but once you’ve managed that first day, you’ve shown yourself it’s possible. My initial week of sobriety was incredibly tough, but I kept reminding myself that I had already completed one sober day, so I could do it again.

I understand that thinking about long-term sobriety can be intimidating. I often questioned how I would maintain it and what motivated me to try.

The problem with this kind of thinking is that it often serves as a justification for relapse. I was searching for reasons to give up, and as someone with an addiction, I was quick to seize upon them.

To combat these thoughts, it’s essential to pull your focus back to the present day. This is why I believe the one-day challenge is most fitting for someone battling alcoholism.

Don’t get bogged down with thoughts of completing the entire year or surviving “Sober September.” Instead, set your sights on simply getting through today without a drink.

So, are you ready to accept the challenge?

About Benya Clark: I’m a lawyer turned writer, delving into topics of addiction and mental health. Be sure to check out my latest endeavor—a weekly newsletter featuring essays on sobriety.