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Original poster

I’ve drank like a b%$tard for a lot of 2018, going to do my first complete dry January as of tomorrow. Join me?

646 replies

Exisonfire · 31/12/2018 09:20

As it says in the title.

2018 hasn’t been kind to me, and the drink has been relied upon far too much.

I’m fed up of moping, and want to kick start a better year with my first ever complete dry January tomorrow.

Who’s in?

OP posts:
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5
Screamqueenz · 08/01/2019 21:39

Stick with it ghost, you'll get it soon I'm sure Thanks

Zofloramummy · 08/01/2019 22:00

End of day 8. Will be happier when I can sleep! But I believe that can take 2-3 weeks?

FetchezLaVache · 08/01/2019 22:33

Sadbuttrue in my case, eating loads of sweet things! I never have a sweet tooth usually. But someone explained upthread that it's a common craving when one gives up booze, because alcohol metabolises into sugar. But it's buggered my hopes of losing half a stone without even trying, as an added bonus. :)

Zofloramummy yes, I believe it can take a few weeks, and it's one of my main motivators to keep going with it, to be honest!

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FetchezLaVache · 08/01/2019 22:38

erm I haven't noticed any positive effects apart from I think my skin might look a touch better. Not sleeping better, haven't lost weight. Don't even have the benefit of no hangovers, because I never got those anyway. In fact, I'm with leaveby - smugness is about all I'm really getting out of it so far!

MsMustDoBetter · 08/01/2019 22:40

Day 8 ticked off.

I'm feeling fresh, present and I'm eating less than I usually do (but not lots less, just not snacking - I don't seem to think about it).

I still occurs to me in the evening that a drink might be nice, but I'm finding it less intrusive and easier to dismiss.

I think we're all doing well just for not drinking never mind how we about it. This is the longest dry period since I was pregnant and that was more than a few years ago. Blush

Orlandointhewilderness · 09/01/2019 00:19

Day 3 done, no wobbles yet!!

Bloodyfucksake · 09/01/2019 06:51

Day 8 today. I'm still fat, bloated, and horrible mess but I did sleep really well last night for the first time in a long time.

This thread is really keeping me going. I am pretty confident I can make it to Friday (Day 10) without too much stress now. I'll need to be careful around the weekend though.

Now I just wish I could drop some weight.

Bringbackthestripes · 09/01/2019 08:06

Not sleeping better, haven't lost weight. Don't even have the benefit of no hangovers, because I never got those anyway

Snap. My sleep is worse and I am disappointed that I haven’t instantly lost half a stone.

dragongirlx · 09/01/2019 09:23

Day 6 for me was yesterday. Alas it ended with a lovely tension headache that then turned into a normal headache overnight. It could be the alcohol withdrawal or it could be that my periods due and has decided to come with a headache but its not fun.
HolyMountain I am also weeing more and I do think its because I am not dehydrated. Had the same thing last year when I had 3 weeks off - it did eventually even out

ApolloandDaphne · 09/01/2019 09:30

I have done 5 days now and am also doing a vegan week. I feel awesome. I am sleeping better and feel less bloated. I have more energy and I have lost 4lb so far! I will keep up the dry January and possibly the vegan diet too.

leaveby10 · 09/01/2019 10:23

You might not even notice that you're feeling better, it can happen so gradually that it feels like the new normal every day.

Madmarchpear · 09/01/2019 11:09

Day 9 for me. I find getting your teacup on the dry jan app in early useful. It's like vow that today is drink free. The thought of having to go back on and sheepishly entering drinks the next day is a good deterrent. I feel good. I look fresher.
Not waking in the night full of self hatred, mum guilt and health anxiety. Cravings mercifully very mild, there's half a bottle of red on the side I'm noticing less each day. I think I've lost a bit of weight and something resembling a waist has appeared😀

FetchezLaVache · 09/01/2019 14:39

Apollo, that's absolutely brilliant! Well done you.

Orlandointhewilderness · 09/01/2019 15:27

God the wine witch is with me today!!!!

dragongirlx · 09/01/2019 15:53

Orlandointhewilderness just keep going as best you can. I am finding the articles from the dry January website helpful. They said that if you can distract your self for a bit the craving will usually go away. Six minutes was the usual time I think. Can you try that.

My other thing is to promise myself something else - in my case a hot chocolate. If I know I have that to look forward to it helps

ColouringPencils · 09/01/2019 18:09

Six minutes?? God, that's an eye opener.

Day 9 today so we are almost a third of the way there! I am feeling the weekend on the horizon now and I need to build up strength against it. What do teetotalers do at the weekend??

namechange2117 · 09/01/2019 18:25

I'm feeling fresh, present and I'm eating less than I usually do

I think feeling "present" is a really good way to describe it. I feel so much more mentally alert and "with it" when I'm not drinking.

What I find hard is the voice in my head that keeps whispering, 'Go on, just have one - it's been a long day, you deserve it. And hangovers aren't that bad really!'

They are that bad - I have to keep remembering that! And the hanxiety is something awful.

namechange2117 · 09/01/2019 18:27

Just to add that the alcohol free drinks are really helping me. AF beer doesn't taste brilliant, admittedly - but it's just the sensation of having a cool bottle of "beer" in my hand and the taste that is vaguely similar to the real stuff. Fake G&Ts are also massively helping.

namechange2117 · 09/01/2019 18:30

And the other thing that's getting me through - thinking of all the money I'm saving!! Alcohol is so expensive when you drink the amount that I do/did.

HolyMountain · 09/01/2019 19:03

dragon good to hear another DJer weeing more Grin.

leaveby10 · 09/01/2019 19:12

Just ordered a mixed case of alcohol free beer for dh - the substitutes seem to work for him.

Totorosfluffytummy · 09/01/2019 20:28

Yay day 9!
No cravings this evening, been busy until now & am quite tired.
Luckily I'm reading 2 good books atm which really helps in the evenings.
Going to have my Snore and Peace tea and read in bed soon.
Well done everyone, keep going x

Calphurnia · 09/01/2019 20:42

Love ticking off my smug sober days Halo

Can anyone recommend good 'dry' listening?
Most of the podcasts I've found are AA/ God/ American. The Allen Carr 'women stop drinking' one is problematic in places for me: "don't drink or you won't be able to fight off a sexual assault" Confused

I also started a course called Intuitive Recovery yesterday. 2 other people trying to kick their booze habit and someone wanting off his methodone prescription. It's in 4 parts, so far so good!

leaveby10 · 09/01/2019 21:05

I struggle to listen to the preachy crap - I'm glad this thread has not gone that way...
I remember a friend doing psychology at Uni talking about the theory that the AA contributed to people's feeling that they were not in control of alcohol by convincing them to label themselves as alcoholics. And convincing people they were not in control gave people permission to not try to be in control, which made their drinking more extreme....something like that anyway.

leaveby10 · 09/01/2019 21:19

Something from here?

members.moderation.org/