The Commitment - No beer. Two three-week long periods of complete sobriety.

The first time I tried an extended period of complete sobriety, it was on my doctor's orders.  I came back from my bachelor party (where I blitzkrieged my liver) and blood tests revealed that my liver wasn't properly handling toxins.  I was prescribed roughly six weeks without any alcohol.  It was extremely difficult to do.  I love wine, I love bloody marys, I love manhattans - but, when I wasn't drinking at all I slept better, had more energy, and was much more lucid.  

My doctor mentioned that the liver is a unique organ because it can heal itself.  You just have to give it time.  The goal of this element is to minimize damage done to the liver by alcohol and, on two occasions, spend time healing it.  Studies suggest that moderate alcohol consumption actually prolongs life.  The antioxidants and resveratrol in red wine may also offer health benefits. 

Over the course of the year, I will drink almost exclusively wine, but allow the occasional cocktail​.  Because of the sugar content in alcohol I will combine one of the periods of sobriety with the one month sugar free period for a sort of total cleanse.