A “sober month” involves completely abstaining from alcohol for a month, often as a detox or health initiative after periods of heavy drinking, such as Christmas or summer vacation, and can have positive effects such as better sleep, more energy and a reduced risk of illness. It is a period for recovery, breaking habits and noticing how the body is affected by alcohol.
The first step in controlling your own drinking is to find out whether your own alcohol consumption exceeds the limits for low-risk drinking. Alcohol consumption that does not cause health, social or economic difficulties is considered low-risk drinking. In this case, the consumption is usually infrequent, the amount is small and the tendency to get drunk is unusual. When a lot of alcohol is consumed at once or the consumption is heavy and occurs over a longer period of time, we talk about risky drinking.
Many people start the year with promises of change. According to a survey conducted by Novus on behalf of IQ, nearly 6 out of 10 people who drink alcohol are considering a white month in 2024, something that one in three has also taken at some point in the past two years.
A sober month can be a good step to start with
When you want to cut down on your drinking, it’s good to have a completely sober month, as this will help you to notice if you are addicted to alcohol. At the same time, your tolerance for alcohol drops to the level you were at before you started drinking heavily, so smaller amounts of alcohol will give you the same feeling you used to get from a larger amount, and you simply won’t need to drink large amounts of alcohol anymore. A sober month will also help you find other things to do instead of drinking.
You can think about what you currently achieve with drinking and how you can achieve the same things without alcohol. For example, you can find other ways to relax than by drinking alcohol. Test your alcohol habits here (Swedish)
Professional help may be necessary
It is not always easy to reduce your own alcohol consumption, as alcohol can be highly addictive. Therefore, it is recommended to seek professional help, for example from a health centre doctor or occupational health doctor, who can refer you to addiction treatment if necessary.
Together with a professional, you can find resources within yourself that will help you cut down on your drinking. Once you have managed to reduce your alcohol consumption, it is also good to stick to your goal. For example, it can help to avoid the wettest events and long nights out at the bar, at least in the beginning.
Previct Care as support
Previct Care is a simple “esy to use”, discreet and motivating digital support available from most municipalities but also from occupational health care and private healthcare providers. Previct Care gives you support and control over your own treatment in a way that suits you. In the Previct app, you can track your well-being and conduct alcohol and/or drug tests while your healthcare provider provides support for motivation and long-term change.
Freedom: Support is always with you wherever you are, at home or at work, 24/7. It is tailored to your specific needs.
Motivation: Being able to prove your sobriety is an important part of regaining control, self-respect and self-confidence, but also the trust of those around you.
Support: It’s reassuring to know you’re not alone. Through remote monitoring, your caregiver can follow you and you can get quick help if needed.
If you are curious to know more, ask your municipality’s addiction care or contact us and we will tell you more.
Good luck with the change!