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The #1 Sober October App To Help You This Year

Sober October is officially here, but where do you even start? Abstaining (or cutting back) on alcohol for an entire month isn't an easy feat. The good news is this: Sunnyside offers customized action plans, tips, and tricks to get you through Sober October. Most importantly, you'll learn how to build healthier drinking habits that last a lifetime.

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What is Sober October, and what are the rules?

Sober October started as a fundraising event to raise funds and promote a healthier lifestyle. But recently, it has gained popularity as Dry January's hip-and-new cousin. So, how can you participate in Sober October? The rules are simple—you don't drink for the entire month (yes, all 31 days!). Some people do it as part of a fundraising event. Alternatively, other people take the opportunity to explore their drinking habits and relationship with alcohol by giving up alcohol for the month. And what can you do instead of drinking? Well, you can replace that time with just about any other hobby or activity. Go ahead and pick up a paperback book, try out a new skincare routine, or get into a 30-day workout challenge.

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Can I drink during Sober October?

Sober October is an opportunity for people to experiment with sobriety. Typically, you will not drink for the entire month, but this isn't a hard-and-fast rule. Some people may choose to cut back on their alcohol intake instead of quitting. And some fundraiser events give you the option of a 14, 21, or 31-day commitment for no drinking. You may even 'pay' for a day off to drink, and these funds go to charity. The focus isn't on how much or how little you drink. Instead, Sober October beckons people to explore the impacts of alcohol on their health, wellness, and life (while raising funds for charity, if you wish!).

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What's the point of Sober October?

Sober October originated as a fundraising event, but you don't have to be part of any fundraiser to join in on the fun. Essentially, Sober October encourages people to make positive changes for their health. You'll explore how alcohol impacts different facets of your life and your relationship with alcohol. Sober October helps boost your awareness of certain drinking patterns and sheds light on how you can redirect your drinking habits to reclaim your wellness. Of course, you can raise funds for charity while you're at it.

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Should I do Sober October?

Everyone who drinks can benefit from healthier drinking habits. While you may not emerge from Sober October with a passion for abstinence, Sober October can kickstart your journey toward healthier habits and mindful drinking. Hence, Sober October may be right for you if you're curious about how going alcohol-free can improve your life. It's also a good push to get you started on making positive changes for a healthier lifestyle.

Why is Sunnyside the best Sober October app?

Sunnyside helps thousands of members achieve their goals of cutting back or quitting. Through the app, you'll receive personalized weekly plans and accountability text messages to keep you on top of your game. You can also text real-life coaches for trialed-and-tested advice and support. The Sunnyside app provides daily motivation, tips, and tricks to empower you in attaining your goals.

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Set your high-level goals

Tell us a little about yourself and your goals so we can personalize your experience. This is a judgment-free zone.

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Commit to a weekly plan

Every week we’ll give you a recommended drink plan for the week ahead to help you reach your goals, which you can adjust.

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Track your drinks

Via a simple text-message interface, we’ll remind you to track your drinks every day, and provide nudges to stack on target.

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Get daily motivation & tips

Our upbeat and positive eduation, motivation, tips, and tricks will keep you on track every day of the week.

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Text real coaches

Our real human coaches are available for you, no matter what you need. Text them for help or a nudge at any time.

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Measure your progress

See how your new habits add up to better sleep, money saved, and an improved diet in your web dashboard.

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Why People Are Saying Sunnyside Is The Best Sober October App

You’re joining a community of members who have been through exactly what you’re going through and have achieved amazing results. Here’s what some of them have said about using Sunnyside to help them achieve their goals.

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These guys are not trying to change you, just your drinking habits.

When I first started I was a bit leery about the whole thing. I am 70 years old and retired and didn’t think that I needed someone to tell me how much to drink. So I took the 15 day free trial and found out that it really helped me control my drinking. These guys are not trying to change you, just your drinking habits, which has help me a lot. Sometimes I would drink just to drink and that came to a stop. I still do what I want to do, I'm just doing it differently and it really working well for me. - Rene

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The transition was easy

Over the last two years I became a bit of a heavy drinker. After 84 days with Sunnyside, I'm now a moderate drinker, on my way to becoming a social drinking. The transition was easier than I thought. -Ted

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I cannot believe it actually worked.

I've been trying to cut back on my drinking for years and this is the only way I've actually done it. I'm so extremely happy with just the mindfulness that it has provided me. It's not judgy. It doesn't make you quit immediately. It is just a way to cut back and be mindful of your drinking and I really appreciate it. It's honestly transformed my life. -Stefani

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Simple & sustainable

I love this program - it’s simple and supportive. I feel like I’m on my way to making some lasting changes without ever feeling shamed. Also the coaches are real & respond personally (not just bots). -Lucy

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Ace Sober October With The Sunnyside App

Sunnyside members see big results in their first 30 days, and it only gets better from there. Start with your 15-day free trial, then stick with it if it’s right for you.

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Improve Health & Wellness

Feel your best, inside and out.

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Sleep more restfully

Enjoy more restful sleep and brighter mornings.

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Improve your diet

Every month you'll be cutting out unnecessary calories.

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Gain more energy

Greet the day with increased energy and focus.

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Save money

Save real cash every month by spending less on alcohol.

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Judgment-free support

We support you on your journey, despite any ups and downs.

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Why use Sunnyside?

Every Sunnyside membership includes all the features below, plus a free 15-day trial to make sure it’s right for you.

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Drink tracking

Sunnyside gives you simple, accurate tools to track your drinks that you’ll actually love to use.

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Weekly planning

Every Sunday we’ll share your plan for the week ahead that you can adjust and customize as needed.

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On-demand coaching

We have real human coaches available for when you need a nudge or a bit of motivation. But only if you need it.

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Daily motivation

We’ll share advice, education and motivation on a daily basis to keep you on track with your goals.

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Insights & analytics

Drinks cut, money saved, improved sleep... we’ll help you measure success in the terms that matter to you.

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Science-backed techniques

Sunnyside is easy and simple to use, but is backed by proven habit change techniques reviewed by our advisors.

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Trusted by Experts

Sunnyside utilizes proven behavior-change techniques to help you reach your goals, and it’s all reviewed by our team of experts.

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Dr. Hrishikesh Belani

Associate Medical Director of the South Los Angeles Health Center Group

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Kate Bonham

MS, LPCC, LADC - Mental Health and Chemical Health Specialist

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Nir Eyal

Habit expert, author of Hooked and Indistractable

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Adi Jaffe

Mental health & addiction expert, Author of The Abstinence Myth

"As a doctor, I've seen firsthand the difference that a better relationship with alcohol can make in a person's overall health outcomes, which is why I recommend Sunnyside to my patients."

Dr. Hrishikesh Belani

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Frequently asked questions

Our goal is to be transparent and honest with you about Sunnyside. It’s in our DNA. Here are a couple common questions, but please email us if you have more.

What is a Sober October app?

The Sunnyside app helps you achieve your goals to cut back or practice abstinence via personalized action plans. You'll also be able to track your progress and see how your new habits add up to better sleep, a happier wallet, and saved calories. A Sunnyside subscription starts at $8.75/mo, less than the cost of two drinks. Everyone starts with a 15-day free trial to test it out. And we’re nice about refunds if it’s truly not right for you.

What are the benefits of using a Sober October app?

The Sunnyside app provides access to real-life coaches, practical tips, and customized action plans from the comfort of your own home. Aside from that convenience, the Sunnyside app offers great privacy. We also employ proven habit-change techniques like pre-commitment, conscious interference, and belief and positivity to help you practice better drinking habits. Our methods are reviewed by habit-change and alcohol-use experts.

Is Sunnyside a free Sober October app?

We believe that everyone who drinks can benefit from more mindfulness and healthier habits. You can join Sunnyside no matter what your starting point is, and we’ll help you hit your goals, even if it means stopping drinking entirely. Sunnyside offers a 15-day free trial, and you can cancel at any time.

Is my data secure?

We take data privacy and security very seriously. We never sell your information or use your drinking data for marketing tactics. Review our Privacy Policy.

Do I have to talk to a coach?

Definitely not. Talking to a coach is completely optional. You can take advantage of the planning, tracking, behavior change, analytics, and amazing results without ever talking to anyone.

Who uses Sunnyside?

The Sunnyside community is made of thousands of people who enjoy drinking but want to create more mindfulness around their consumption, whether it’s to cut back or stop entirely. We’re moms, dads, professionals, students, and everyone in between.

Can a Sober October app really help me?

Sunnyside members cut back on their drinking by an average of 30% in the first 30 days of using the app. Sunnyside encourages you to track and evaluate your drinking habits and empowers you to create healthier ones.

What else can Sunnyside do?

Sunnyside gives you the tools you need to practice mindful drinking. Though Sober October only lasts a month, Sunnyside equips you to make sustainable, positive changes that last a lifetime. No matter your starting point, we’ll support you every step of the way.

What are the benefits of Sober October?

You can read our full guide on Sober October right here to get context for this month's challenge.

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