Seven Totally Random Ideas To Help You Reach The End Of Your First Dry Month

by John Risby

Published: January 23, 2023 Last updated: November 30, 2023

Congratulations on making it to the final week of your first month of being sober! This is a great accomplishment and you should be proud of yourself for the progress you’ve made.

As the end of the month approaches, it can be easy to slip back into old habits, but with a little extra motivation and planning, you can make it through the final week without a hitch.

To help you stay on track, we’ve compiled a list of seven totally random ideas that may help you survive the final week of your challenge.

Remember, you’ve come this far, don't give up giving up now!

No. 7 – Start A “Sobriety Jar”

Creating a “sobriety jar” can be a great way to stay motivated during the final week of your first dry month. Set a daily or weekly budget for yourself, and put that money into the jar each day that you don’t drink. The amount can be as small or as large as you can afford, but the idea is to have a tangible reward at the end of the week or month to treat yourself with.

No. 6 – Visualise Your Future

Visualising your future self can be a powerful motivator. Create a vision board that includes pictures or words that represent how you want to feel, look, and act after a month of sobriety. This will serve as a reminder of the benefits of staying sober and the goals you are working towards.

No. 5 – Make A List Of Things To Do

Many people put off certain activities or responsibilities while drinking. Make a list of all the things you’ve been neglecting and start tackling them one by one. This can help to improve your self-esteem and give you a sense of accomplishment.

No. 4 – Experiment With Mocktails

Experiment with non-alcoholic mocktail recipes and try a new one each day. This can be a fun way to explore new flavours and ingredients and can serve as a delicious alternative to alcohol.

No. 3 – Do Something That Scares You!

Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone can be a great way to boost your confidence and self-esteem. Try doing something that scares you each day of the week, whether it’s asking someone out, speaking at a debating society, singing karaoke, or asking for a pay rise. The sense of accomplishment and confidence boost can be a great alternative to drinking.

No. 2 – Give Yourself An Adrenaline Rush!

For some people, an adrenaline rush can be a great substitute for alcohol. Try a new form of extreme sports or adventure activities like bungee jumping or skydiving to give yourself a natural high.

and finally...

No. 1 – Remember You Are Worth It

Remind yourself of the things you love about yourself that you may have overlooked while drinking. Make a list of these positive traits and remind yourself of them when you’re feeling tempted to drink. This can help to boost your self-esteem and give you a sense of pride in who you are.

About The Author

John Risby

Co-Founder of The Alcohol-Free Shop and AlcoholFree.com. John is a recovering alcoholic who stopped drinking in June 2004. Born and raised in Manchester, he now lives in Malaga with his wife and young daughter. He came to terms with being an alcoholic many years ago, but still finds the concept his daughter is Spanish very strange.