Sober October: How to Do 31 Days Alcohol-Free With a Friend
Sober October is a challenge to drink no alcohol for the 31 days of October. It was popularized by fundraisers like Macmillan Cancer Support’s Go Sober for October in the UK. To do it with a friend in GLIN, start the Dry 30 template, set the length to 31 days, and begin on October 1.
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| Length | 31 days |
|---|---|
| Category | Health |
| Rules | 2 |
| GLIN target | 1 point per day |
| In GLIN | Build it in GLIN with “I want to make my own” (about 30 seconds) |
The rules
- No alcohol from October 1 to October 31.
- Log each alcohol-free day.
What you track in GLIN
Create a custom challenge called “Sober October”, set it to 31 days, and add these actions:
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Alcohol-free today | 1 |
Daily target: 1 point per day. Invite a friend, set your stakes, and you’re in.
Why October
October sits right before the holiday season, which makes it a popular month to reset. Fundraisers like Macmillan Cancer Support’s Go Sober for October helped make it a fixture in the UK. Today Alcohol Change UK runs Sober October as a fundraiser, and plenty of people do it simply as a personal challenge. GLIN is not affiliated with any of these campaigns.
How to set up Sober October in GLIN
- In GLIN, open Explore and tap Dry 30.
- Change the length to 31 days, rename it “Sober October”, and start on October 1.
- Invite a friend and set your stakes.
Or build it from scratch with I want to make my own: one action, “Alcohol-free today”, worth 1 point, with a target of 1 point a day.
Tips for the month
- Mark the big nights in advance. Halloween is on day 31. Decide now what you’ll drink instead.
- Find your partner early. Someone doing it with you turns “just one” into “I’d have to tell them”.
- Track the wins. Better sleep, money saved, mornings back. Write them down for the days it feels pointless.
When to get support
If you find it hard to stop drinking, or you feel unwell when you do, talk to a doctor before you stop: alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous. In the US, the SAMHSA National Helpline is free, confidential and open 24/7 at 1-800-662-4357 (samhsa.gov).
Frequently asked questions
What is Sober October?
A month-long challenge to avoid alcohol for all 31 days of October. Many people do it as a fundraiser; others use it as a reset before the holiday season.
Is Sober October a charity event?
It can be. In the UK, Alcohol Change UK runs Sober October as a fundraiser. You can also do it on your own or with a friend, without fundraising.
How do I track Sober October in GLIN?
Start the Dry 30 template, change the length to 31 days and start on October 1, or create a custom challenge called Sober October with one daily action, "Alcohol-free today". Then invite a friend.
Start Sober October with a friend
Free to download. Invite a friend and start today.
Scan with your phone to download GLIN.