At the beginning of the year, we told you about Dry January. Now there is something similar called Sober October. It's part of a growing movement that encourages people to take a break from alcohol and reflect on their drinking habits.

Katie Witkiewitz, the Director of the Center on Alcohol, Substance Use, and Addictions at UNM, says October is a great time to reset. Summer is over, and the holidays aren't here yet, making it a natural time to check on your habits.

Many people say the benefits of not drinking alcohol include sleeping better, having more energy, and clearer skin. Others find they have extra time in their day—time that might have been spent drinking, recovering, or planning events around alcohol.

If you've missed the start of Sober October, the director of the University of New Mexico Center on Alcohol says cutting back or taking a two-week break from alcohol can help.

"What we know is that any reduction in drinking over any period of time, either cutting back or cutting out altogether, is associated with improvements in how people feel and function. And so alcohol is toxic for us. It's socially done a lot of the time, but it is a toxic substance that we put in our body," Witkiewitz said.

She also says stopping suddenly can be dangerous for those who drink heavily or daily, so it's important to talk with your doctor before making any major changes.