Sober Curious

Have you ever participated in 'Dry January' before? If you haven't heard of it, it's a public health campaign where people all around the United States and Europe decide to abstain from alcohol for the month. Some think of it as a New Years Resolution, for others it's a yearly tradition.

Here at Reframe, we believe in taking small steps each day to change one's relationship with alcohol. Dry January may seem like a big step, but it's important to understand that it doesn't have to be completely dry if that's not in your best interest. Feel perfectly free to set your own goals for Dry January! We think it can be a great opportunity to check in on your drinking habits and your current relationship with alcohol to prepare your objectives for 2022.

Today, let's talk about 5 reasons to participate in Dry January, whatever that may look like for you.

1) Healthier appearance

Even over the course of a month, your body can experience changes when you cut back on or abstain from alcohol. Alcohol can have a dehydrating impact on the body, making many features dull and dry. Say 'hello' to radiant skin and brighter eyes! Not to mention, less alcohol can lead to weight loss.

2) Improved energy and sleep

There's been a rumor that alcohol can improve sleep, but actually, it hinders it. When you participate in Dry January, you'll find yourself waking up feeling truly rested and having enough energy throughout your day. In addition, you won't have to worry about hangovers!

3) Saving money

When we're spending on alcohol, it adds up so, so fast. When you set goals to cut back or abstain from alcohol, you're automatically going to spend less money. If you want, you can even do the calculations - see how much you've spent on alcohol in the month of December, then compare that to how much you spend during Dry January. You're sure to see a difference.

4) Better and brighter moods

Alcohol interacts with our brain's chemicals in a way that can lead to increased cortisol, or the stress hormone. This means that someone who drinks often may suffer from increased stress due to actual physical effects. In Dry January, you may experience decreased stress and better moods.

5) Assessing how your body feels when cutting back

Here at Reframe, we think one of the greatest aspects of Dry January is the opportunity to see how your body feels with less or no alcohol in it. It may be a bit of a transition period for you, depending on how new you are to this lifestyle of a changed relationship with alcohol. You may experience setbacks, you may experience amazing benefits, but no matter what, you'll have a better understanding of your own body and how alcohol interacts with it. And that, we think, is priceless.

If you're convinced, here's a couple quick tips on participating in Dry January.

• Think about it ahead of time and set realistic goals for yourself
• Ask for support from friends and family
• Practice saying "no" to alcohol ahead of time
• Think of some coping mechanisms you can turn to, such as a favored hobby
• Keep track of your drinks (We can help with that!)

Whether or not you decide to participate in Dry January, we at Reframe encourage you to assess your relationship with alcohol, and we are here to support you on your journey of altering that relationship.

And remember - you've got this.

If you've landed on this page, you're probably in a place where you're considering cutting alcohol out of your life, and you want it to be a quick, clean break. You can make this decision today.

However, we first want to acknowledge that it's not always an easy, flawless path. There will probably be setbacks and bumps in the road, and that's okay! Have grit and persistence, and you can get back on track. A bump in the road doesn't define you.

Here at Reframe, we want to meet you on your journey, wherever you're at. This article will detail a couple important tips to quit drinking, and if you're interested on taking some steps toward cutting back or stopping alcohol use with us, download the Reframe app. We'd love to have you.

Now, let's get into some tips on what will help you to get sober.

• Determine your "why." This is made up of some of the reasons you're considering quitting or cutting back on drinking. These reasons could be physical, emotional, or have to do with relationships. When you can identify your "why," you can always come back to it when you need to center yourself.
• Change your environment. Remove alcohol from your home. Take a different route to work that doesn't pass by the liquor store. In changing simple environmental factors, you can remove yourself from situations that may lead you to drink.
• Find a support system/community. One of the best things you can do is to surround yourself with people who support you. Identify trusted members of your network and confide in them. You can also find communities online or in-person with others who are on a similar journey. This way, you can hold each other accountable and be there for one another throughout this process.
• Practice turning down a drink. In our culture, drinking alcohol is extremely commonplace, and it may even go against the current to turn down a drink. Take time to practice ways to say "no."
• Self-care & coping mechanisms. Oftentimes, we drink alcohol as a form of coping. Replace the time you'd spend drinking with other self-care and coping mechanisms, such as exercise, a new hobby, journaling, etc.
• Learn the benefits. If you haven't read our article about the benefits of cutting down on drinking yet, check it out here. When you know of the benefits you're gaining from a changed relationship with alcohol, it may encourage you to keep going.

The first step is deciding to change your relationship with alcohol. Everything else listed here will help you along from there.

You've got this. We at Reframe are here to support and help you along this journey. Join us today, and begin working toward a more fulfilling life.

Maybe you're already on the path to quitting or cutting down on alcohol use, or maybe you're still considering it. Either way, it's important to know some ways that you can stay on the path once you're on it.

Remember, if you're interested on taking some steps toward cutting back or stopping alcohol use with us, download the Reframe app. We'd love to have you.

• Build and maintain a healthy support system. When we're working toward changing our relationship with alcohol, having a support network or community is crucial. These are people that we can lean on when we need them. You can build this up with people you already know or find new communities that may be on a similar journey to you.
• Know (and learn to avoid) your triggers. Triggers can be places, people, emotions, or anything that may tempt you to drink. An example of a trigger could be a bar you used to frequent or a certain life stressor. When you can identify your personal triggers, you can learn how to stay away from them.
• Keep your "why" at the forefront of your mind. Your "why" is made up of the reasons that you decided to cut back or quit drinking. When you need to center yourself or remind yourself of why you made this decision, focus back on these reasons.
• Regularly use self-care and coping mechanisms. Find some new coping mechanisms to replace alcohol and regularly use them. These could be exercise, journaling, a new hobby, anything that brings you some comfort and happiness.
• Have persistence through setbacks. On this journey, it's common and normal to have bumps in the road. When you experience a setback, reach out to your support system for some guidance and comfort. Remind yourself that you can do this, and you can keep going.
• Celebrate milestones. Acknowledge the hard work you're putting in and the progress you've made. Reward yourself with something that doesn't involve alcohol. Remember, it's a huge deal that you've taken these steps. You're doing great, and you should absolutely celebrate!

No matter where you're at on your journey today, these tips can help you stay solid on your path when you change your relationship with alcohol. You've got this!

We at Reframe have your back and are committed to being there for you every step of the way. Download the app today, and begin working toward a more fulfilling life.

If you've landed on this page, you're probably in a place where you're considering taking a break from alcohol or cutting it out of your life completely.

Here at Reframe, we want to meet you on your journey, wherever you're at. This article will detail a couple important tips to quit drinking, and if you're interested on taking some steps toward cutting back or stopping alcohol use with us, download the Reframe app. We'd love to have you.

• Determine your "why." This is made up of some of the reasons you're considering quitting or cutting back on drinking. These reasons could be physical, emotional, or have to do with relationships. When you can identify your "why," you can always come back to it when you need to center yourself.
• Find a support system/community. One of the best things you can do is to surround yourself with people who support you. Identify trusted members of your network and confide in them. You can also find communities online or in-person with others who are on a similar journey. This way, you can hold each other accountable and be there for one another throughout this process.
• Practice turning down a drink. In our culture, drinking alcohol is extremely commonplace, and it may even go against the current to turn down a drink. Take time to practice ways to say "no."
• Change your environment. Remove alcohol from your home. Take a different route to work that doesn't pass by the liquor store. In changing simple environmental factors, you can remove yourself from situations that may lead you to drink.
• Self-care & coping mechanisms. Oftentimes, we drink alcohol as a form of coping. Replace the time you'd spend drinking with other self-care and coping mechanisms, such as exercise, a new hobby, journaling, etc.
• Learn the benefits. If you haven't read our article about the benefits of cutting down on drinking yet, check it out here. When you know of the benefits you're gaining from a changed relationship with alcohol, it may encourage you to keep going.
• Have grit and persistence despite setbacks. It's incredibly common to experience setbacks, and it doesn't make you any less. When you experience a setback, reach out to your support system. Remind yourself that you can do this, and you can keep going. Your progress is not defined by a bump in the road.

Remember, you've got this. We at Reframe are here to support and help you along this journey. Join us today, and begin working toward a more fulfilling life.

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When on your journey to drink less or quit drinking entirely, one of the most common concerns you may have is “How will I celebrate without alcohol?” And who can blame you? Popping champagne bottles and pouring ourselves a drink has been our default way to celebrate.

If you are on a journey to reevaluate your drinking, and you’re worried about how to celebrate moving forward, you are not alone. Life is full of momentous occasions that are worth celebrating; we've just had to figure out a way to commemorate them in a different way.

Read on to discover some tips on how to celebrate without alcohol...

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1. Reframe your idea of what you “deserve”.

Oftentimes, when we are celebrating a birthday or the end of the long week, we pour ourselves a drink because “we deserve it” and we frame alcohol as a "reward". If you really break this thought down, however, what are you really telling yourself that you deserve? In our case, drinking alcohol leads to spotty memories and waking up feeling guilty and hungover. Is that really what you deserve after achieving a goal or turning a year older? You are a person who has accomplished some pretty amazing things and you deserve so much more than waking up with a hangover or an increased chance of cancer. Focus on enjoying your time spent with friends and family, being in the present moment, and remembering it all. THAT’S what you deserve.

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2. Remember that you didn’t always need alcohol to celebrate

One of the best things we can do when we're feeling doubtful on our journey is to remind ourselves that there was once a time that we didn’t need alcohol to enjoy yourself. Think about your childhood birthday parties where the only thing on your mind was cake, friends, and fun! You didn't need alcohol then, and you certainly don't now that you’re older.

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3. Focus on YOU

It’s pretty fair to say that people often time have more fun at other people’s parties and celebrations than at the ones they’re hosting themselves. That’s because as hosts, we’re too busy replenishing the snack bar, topping off people’s drinks, and making sure everyone else is having a good time to really focus on ourselves. The belief “I can’t celebrate without alcohol” based on the belief of the expectation of other people, not ourselves. Other people expect you to  celebrate with alcohol, so you believe that alcohol is a requirement. However, it’s important to remember that this celebration is about you and you deserve to do something that will make you feel good! If this means cancelling the party with 20 of your closest friends and family then so be it! Try asking yourself, “What would I really enjoy doing in this moment to celebrate?” and do that instead.

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4. Don’t be discouraged by any initial awkwardness

You can expect the majority of booze-free celebrations to be challenging in the beginning. After all, you’ve spent years believing that alcohol is needed in order to celebrate and have a good time, and these thoughts likely won’t just go away overnight. However, experiencing awkwardness does not mean you’re doing anything wrong. Embrace the awkwardness and recognize that it’s all a part of your growth. It takes time to unlearn a habit, so show yourself compassion and leave early if you're not having a good time.

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5. Sip on something fun!

Just because you aren’t drinking alcohol does not mean you have to drink water and soda. Try mixing up some fun mocktails for you and your guests, or sip on some fun, pre-made beverages.

A couple of our favorites are Daytrip Sparkling CBD Water and Curious Elixirs!

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Very few things in this world are black and white; your fitness level, your mental health, and your political ideologies all fall along a spectrum. The same goes for your alcohol use, yet many people don’t see it that way.

Unfortunately, our societal understanding of a “drinking problem” is very polarized. In the eyes of society, you either have a drinking problem...or you don’t. However, the societal acceptance of alcohol has blurred the line between what it means to drink responsibly and drink recklessly. This creates a grey area of drinking that lies between hitting rock bottom and being a functional drinker. The issue with this is that even the definitions of “rock bottom” and “functional drinker” are arbitrary and vary from person to person. One person’s idea of a responsible drinker could be the same as another person’s idea of someone who is out of control.

The term “alcoholic” often perpetuates this black and white thinking. It’s important to remember that there is no chart or test that can determine whether or not you are an “alcoholic” or have an Alcohol Use Disorder. Sure, you can take those “Am I an alcoholic?” quizzes on Google, but even those often end with the phrase, “do not consider this a proper diagnosis.”

However, these quizzes and tests can be a good benchmark for determining your drinking habits, or for determining if you fit the criteria for having an alcohol use disorder. But, it’s important to remember that the decision to quit drinking is entirely up to you and no matter what the internet tells you, you decide whether or not alcohol is serving you and if you want to make a change.

The point is, you don’t need to identify as an alcoholic to want to cut back or stop drinking alcohol. You don’t even have to hit “rock bottom” or be at your “lowest low”. You are allowed to question your relationship with alcohol at any time and make the necessary changes that will help you feel your best.

Now that we understand how drinking habits lie on a spectrum, it’s important to realize that sobriety lies on a spectrum as well. There is no one, all-encompassing definition of “sobriety.” Some people think that being sober means abstaining from any and all mind-altering substances (including antidepressants and antipsychotic medication). While others call themselves sober if they are abstaining from alcohol, but not other drugs like prescribed medications or even marijuana. The point being- the amount of definitions are endless and sobriety can mean whatever you want it to mean as long as you are living a lifestyle that keeps you happy, healthy and safe.

Don’t let the world’s polarized idea of what it means to have a “drinking problem'' or to be “sober” deter you from questioning your relationship with alcohol. You are allowed to question any and all actions you take, at any time; whether that means total abstinence, moderation, or harm reduction. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, you deserve informed consent to make the decision that is best for you.

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