WHY I AM GOING SOBER THIS OCTOBER?
It’s 1st October, the start of Go Sober This October, Macmillan Cancer Support’s campaign inviting people to go alcohol-free for a month and raise funds for the 3.5 million people now living with cancer in the UK.
WHY THIS MATTERS?
Alcohol is linked to at least seven cancers: Most people think only heavy drinkers are at risk, but the truth is that any amount of alcohol increases your risk of certain diseases. Research shows alcohol is linked to at least seven types of cancer: breast, bowel (colorectal), liver, oesophagus, mouth, pharynx (upper throat) and larynx (voice box). It doesn’t matter whether it’s beer, wine, or spirits — what causes the damage is the ethanol in alcohol itself. Every drink breaks down into substances that can damage cells and DNA. The good news is that every step you take to reduce drinking lowers your risk, and even a short break, like Go Sober October, gives your body a chance to recover and reset.. Source: Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support
Even a short break helps. Sleep, mood, energy and recovery improve quickly — and there’s no “safe” level of drinking with cancer risk rising with intake. Source: NHS
Macmillan’s impact is real. Donations fund specialist nurses, helplines and services for people affected by cancer.
THREE TIPS IF YOU’RE GOING SOBER THIS OCTOBER
TIP 1 – KNOW YOUR TRIGGERS
List the people / places / times that nudge you to drink. Plan around them before they plan you. Example (mine): 6pm “wine-o’clock” after work. The fridge was my cue. I stuck my alcohol-free calendar on the fridge, ticked off each sober day, and at 6pm I left the house for a walk. Cue disrupted. Habit broken.
TIP 2 – IDENTITY FIRST
Don’t “try not to drink.” Be a non-drinker. Language rewires behaviour. Say it in the mirror each morning and quietly to yourself during the day: “I’m a non-drinker.” Act accordingly.
TIP 3 – RIDE THE CRAVINGS
Cravings come in waves, and waves pass. Breathe, move, wait it out (set a 10-minute timer and go for a brisk walk). Most urges fade faster than you think.
I’ve been alcohol-free since December 2020 —nearly five years, 1,750+ hangover-free mornings, 5 stone lighter, £25,000+saved, and a complete reset in health and wellbeing. If I can do it, you can absolutely do October.
TOOLS TO HELP YOU
Try Dry® (Alcohol Change UK) — I’m a Lead Champion for ACUK. The free app and Try Dry® Anytime 31 Days give you tracking (days, money, calories), streaks, and daily motivational emails to carry you through October. Sign up here: Try Dry® Anytime 31 Days. Alcohol Change UK
My book — Walking Back to Happiness: The Secret to Alcohol-Free Living & Well-Being (70+ mini workshops for the first days and weeks).
Support Macmillan — Join me or donate via my Go Sober This October page to back their essential services. Go Sober 2025
LINKS
Macmillan fundraiser (my page): https://www.gosober.org.uk/users/nigel-jones-5
Try Dry® Anytime 31 Days (free): https://alcoholchange.org.uk/help-and-support/managing-your-drinking/try-dry-anytime
Walking Back to Happiness (Amazon): https://amzn.eu/d/iOVIKNy
#GoSoberOctober #MacmillanCancerSupport #AlcoholChangeUK #TryDry #CancerPrevention #Wellbeing #WalkingBackToHappiness
HAVE A GREAT DAY…
Your Life Coach
You can find out more about how to make positive changes in my life coaching and NLP sessions and courses as well as my book, Walking Back To Happiness: The Secret To Alcohol-Free Living & Well-Being, which shows how you can massively improve your mental and physical well-being. Packed with over 70 exercises or steps you can take to improve your well-being and happiness, it’s a blueprint of how to live your best life! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nigel-Jones/e/B0B7RP6LH6/
LINKS
Website – https://www.9kmby9am.com/
Podcasts – https://www.9kmby9am.com/about-nigel/podcasts/
Testimonials – https://www.9kmby9am.com/coaching/coaching-testimonials/
Coaching – https://www.9kmby9am.com/coaching/
My Book – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DLPH36R3/
Professional Bodies https://general-hypnotherapy-register.com/nigel-jones/ & https://anlp.org/members/nigel-jones
Newsletter – https://www.9kmby9am.com/latest-news/newsletter/
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