Two months. One question. If you're taking a month off the booze, which one should it be?
It's the alcohol-free equivalent of Batman versus Superman. Both have their fans. Both have their problems. Neither involves a hangover. Let's settle it.
The basics
Sober October is Macmillan Cancer Support's challenge, Go Sober for October. You give up booze for the month and raise money for people living with cancer.
Dry January is run by the charity Alcohol Change UK. It's about resetting after Christmas, when your blood is roughly 40% mince pie.
Team October
The weather's still half decent at the start. You can go for walks. You can sit in a beer garden with an alcohol-free beer and feel smug in the sunshine.
There's less going on, too. Fewer parties, fewer office do's, fewer people in Christmas jumpers shouting “go on, it's Christmas”.
And it finishes just before party season. It's a test run. You go into December knowing exactly how you feel without it. Very clever. Very smug. Very you.
Team January
January has motivation. After December, everyone's ready for a reset. Half your mates are doing it too, so it feels like a team sport.
The downside? It's dark at half four, it's freezing, and payday is roughly a geological era away. And January is when the runners appear. Your mate who stopped drinking last year is now doing five-hour runs in the dark. He swapped hangovers for headtorches. Still can't make Sunday lunch. Still out the game.
The verdict
I think October's a bit easier. Better weather, fewer events, nice early finish. But January has the crowd, and if you need company to stick at something, that's a big deal.
Or, wild idea, do both. I'm a public health bloke. Of course I'm going to say do both.
The deal bit
Whatever you pick, the easiest month off is the one with something good in the fridge. Start with our best-selling alcohol-free drinks, or go straight to the alcohol-free beer. Mix any 6 drinks for 5% off, up to 15% for 24. For everything else, our Sober October guide has you covered.
The serious bit
If you drink heavily every day, speak to your GP before you take a month off. Stopping suddenly can be dangerous, and they'll help you do it safely.
