I’ve  only been sober for the past nine days, so I am anything  but  qualified to dispense  advice  about how  to go sober cold turkey. Some heavier drinkers might even experience withdrawal symptoms and may need advice from a medical professional or counselor if they want to give up drinking.

I was never a heavy enough drinker that I would need to worry about withdrawal symptoms such as delirium tremens, I was more of a “binge” drinker, but I was drinking way too often for it to be a reasonable thing to keep doing at the same pace. So I recently decided to give up alcoholic drinks for an entire month (though I’m wondering if that cold/flu Nyquil I took last night counts as booze because it’s 10 percent alcohol)! I am still trying  to figure out how to navigate  a world full of watering holes as a sober person, and I don’t  plan to give up drinking  permanently (just for 30 days). All of that said, here  I go with a few…

Sobriety Survival Tips

1. Stay hydrated. It will  help flush out the toxins.
2. Sparkling water is your best friend. It’s  cheap, doesn’t  have  sugar, and is bubbly like a vodka soda or…beer. Keep your  fridge  stocked with it. Top off a glass with a splash of cranberry juice, lemonade or any other juice you  like.
3. Ask about  non-alcoholic  options  at the bar. Most will make “virgin” versions  of margaritas, daiquiris, etc. Don’t  go too crazy, though – these  drinks are loaded with sugar (don’t  trade one bad thing  for another).
4. You may have trouble getting to sleep at first when you cut off the “crutch” that drinking has provided. If you have trouble  sleeping, try Zzzquil by Nyquil (or the generic alternative). It’s  non habit forming and unlike its cousin Nyquil cold/flu, doesn’t contain alcohol. Give  it a couple of hours’ lead time to work and allow enough time for you to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep (if possible).
5. Plain carbonated  water is almost always a fountain drink choice at most restaurants/bars. It’s  pretty refreshing  mixed 50/50 with lemonade.
6. Get as much exercise  as you  can. Preferably walks out in the fresh air when weather allows.
7. Find  other  ways  to pass the time at bars (board  games, pub/bar trivia, etc.)
8. Enjoy  those hangover-free mornings! Count each day you don’t have alcohol as a personal victory!