Remember that moment when you realized it’s not actually fun if someone drinks at every single party? More and more people are joining the Dry November challenge these days—a month where we set our drinks aside and explore life without alcohol.
The idea behind Dry November is simple: from November 1 to 30, no alcohol in any form—no drinks, no food containing alcohol. The goal isn’t to quit forever, but to experience how sobriety affects your body and mind, and to see if not drinking causes you any issues.
I’m not a fan of strict abstinence—at least not in the sense of deliberately “denying” myself alcohol for weeks or months. I don’t feel the need to control it because I don’t feel controlled by it. Sometimes I go months without drinking at all, but that’s not about challenges—it’s just that I don’t miss it. That wasn’t always the case, though.
The Era When Drinking Was Still Cool
As a teen and through my twenties, I worked weekends in hospitality, where drinking was basically part of the job culture. If you didn’t toast with the others, you’d hear, “What’s wrong, are you sick?” Back then, alcohol wasn’t just accepted—it was expected. The phrase “just loosen up a bit” was the anthem for unlimited drinking, and it’s easy to get swept up—especially when you’re young and want to belong.
But then you notice things you can’t forget. You see someone who can’t stop, who can’t enjoy themselves sober. My perspective shifted somewhere along the way—maybe the first time I saw someone truly lost in alcohol, or when a neighbor got so drunk he tragically choked on his own vomit.
What Was a Big Deal as a Teen Becomes a Warning Sign After 30
We all know that person who drinks at every party, who starts every quick meetup by pulling out a beer. At first, it might seem funny, even charming—the “life of the party.” But after a while, it’s no longer something to laugh about.
Alcohol doesn’t just loosen inhibitions; it clouds judgment. It narrows focus, distorts social cues, and what starts as playful can quickly turn hurtful or awkward—for everyone. When you see people your age still living their nights like your 17-year-old self… you know something’s off.
In Hungary, drinking is sadly not just a habit but a tradition—and not in a good way. It’s culture, community, escape, and bad habit all wrapped into one. Alcohol is tied to celebrations, mourning, Sunday dinners, everyday hangouts, and cooking.
According to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office, over 80% of adults drink regularly, and thousands of deaths each year are linked directly or indirectly to alcohol. Growing up here, it’s tough not to have at least one family member or relative who has struggled with alcohol.
While we like to tell ourselves we’re just social drinkers, a whole nation lives believing that fun and alcohol go hand in hand.
A Glass of Wine Is Fine—But Why Does It Have to Be Always?
Though the WHO says no amount of alcohol is truly safe, I sometimes enjoy a glass of wine with dinner every few months. I rarely drink spirits anymore, and if we’re going out by car, I usually drive—mainly because I genuinely feel good without alcohol. No hangover, no headache, no awkwardness. Just the evening, as it is.
I don’t believe Dry November will change people overnight, but it can offer clarity—a moment to reflect on why, when, and how much you drink. For many, the real question isn’t “do we drink?” but “why can’t we say no when it doesn’t even feel good?”
