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?

[Exisonfire]

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?

@ColouringPencils I did try to thank you for the Russell Brand suggestion yesterday but I'm not sure it posted..?

Just back from dinner and it was lovely, chatted and laughed loads, and the chef gave us the extra ingredients of the dessert (poached pears with walnut maple syrup and Greek yogurt), so we can make another 4 so I'm saving that for Sunday lunch dessert.

You're all doing brilliantly, name, please don't feel bad, you're doing great, and going through so much, stay with us, you'll get nothing but support, no-one minds you having a drink.

Very sleepy, going to watch a couple of things on catch up, then off to bed. I got 8 hours last night, hoping for similar tonight.

Back on it tomorrow name! That's a lot of drinks you haven't had over the last week or so - don't feel guilty.

I've beaten the witch!!

I caved, I had Prosecco after a rather trying day. I'm also probably going to drink tomorrow at a reunion.

I will however be fully back on track on Sunday. I'm disappointed that I cracked, but also acknowledge that I've made progress. The idea wasn't for me to stop drinking altogether, just to not do so habitually every evening.

Am I making excuses? Being too easy on myself?

@MsMustDoBetter, I think better that than be too hard on yourself. You've still forgone a lot of drinks, so it's all going towards getting out of the habit.

Msmust if you were drinking every day, that's a lot of drinks you haven't had.

You're doing this for you, no-one else, so if you wanted a drink and chose to have one, so what.

And I certainly couldn't face a reunion without a couple of drinks

@MsMustDoBetter This has to be a personal journey - only you can determine what you need but shame and judgement are not helpful emotions when it comes to reducing alcohol intake. Enjoy your reunion and come back and try again on Sunday.
This is my 10th Dry January and I still think the first one was the worst - and I probably drank less back then as the kids were small. The thing that was harder on the first was not believing I could do it, I know I can do it now - I know the craving will pass and that I can enjoy the benefits of losing weight and sleeping better.
This year is different - this year I have decided I want to permanently change my drinking habits - I have never used the focus of the long term health affects of heavy drinking to guide my drinking - Dry January is my sober 30 it is my time to think about the new rules going forward - cutting out alcohol where I can, where it has become a default habit - drinking alcohol when really I want to, those moments when a glass of something alcoholic really adds something to the occasion - I don't want to stop doing this and like Adrian Chiles - I am giving up every drink now so I can save it for a much loved drink in the future.

www.alcoholexperiment.com/pages/start - this might be worth looking at for those who don't wish to go off alcohol completely in January - it's another way into reducing alcohol intake. Because there is more than one way to do this - right? And everyone has a unique relationship with alcohol, so we all have to find out what works for us.

Sorry scratch that they still want you to give up for 30 days!

After five days sober, I went out last night with DH and yet again went completely overboard on the alcohol! I had a 250ml glass of wine, followed by half a pint, then two cocktails, two more glasses of wine with dinner (175ml this time) and another 250ml glass when I got home. Needless to say I woke up this morning feeling dreadful.

Why am I so incapable of just having a nice glass or two at dinner and leaving it at that? I'm so disappointed in myself. If anyone has any tips on how to drink in moderation on a night out then please let me know.

name I'm looking for the same, if it weren't for DH I would have had a drink last night, but it wouldn't have been one, it would have been at least a bottle.
I don't want to have to stop drinking because I can't control it, but I do need some advice for once DJ ends...

Same. I didn’t have a drink last night as I knew it would have been a whole bottle (or two).

Chuffed I managed though and now my focus is on how (much more) dreadful Sunday eve would be with a weekend of drinking.

@namechangedyetagain

I discussed my excessive alcohol intake with my bereavement counsellor and struggle to cut down as it was my stress crutch. She acknowledged that it was not a healthy way to deal with emotions, however also pointed out that I was not in the right place to quit drinking at that time. She was right. If your head isn’t in it then you won’t be successful at quitting. There is only so much your brain can cope with and trying to kick the wine habit might be a bridge too far right now. I was a mess for 3 months after bereavement and it took a good year before I felt anything like normal again.

I did cut down the alcohol after about six months but then it crept back up because I’m an idiot with no willpower.

@namechange2117 - I’m an all or nothing type too. Ive found it SO much easier to cut alcohol out altogether than to try and moderate it because after I’ve had one glass of wine I think fuck it and have the whole bottle! And if I “allowed” myself to have a drink at the weekend I’d just spend all week waiting for the weekend and being pissed off I couldn’t drink in the week If you quit altogether I think it retrains your brain so you just don’t think about it anymore.

Our February plan is currently - no midweek drinking (except for mid week social events) and then when we drink at the weekend we have one drink an hour - I've done this in the past, it works better with red wine as even a small sip feels your mouth with flavour (as opposed to white), it stops your blood alcohol levels rising to a point where it's unhealthy and you stay in control.
If we stick to our plan I'll consider that enough - not strictly within the NHS guidelines but a lot better than pre Jan.

One drink an hour, leave - that's a really good idea! I might pinch that, if you don't mind.

I’ve caved 😐

Love that idea leave I'm stealing it as well.

What happened erm? Did you just fancy a glass? (No judgement here, but happy to listen if you want to talk). In any case, you've done brilliantly so far!

then when we drink at the weekend we have one drink an hour

I might try that too! I’m annoyed with myself - I could easily have substituted the half pint for a lemonade or something. I really need to train myself to alternate between alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks!

I'm planning to have wine later. I really do enjoy it while doing jobs and dinner on a Saturday evening and I think once a week is reasonable consumption so I'm not feeling bad about it actually.

Planning on staying dry again today, quiet day at home with DH, just about to feed and walk the dogs, then home to cook tea. (WW chicken cacciatore this evening with crusty bread). Probably stick a movie on later then a fairly early night.

DH really is being a tremendous support, I would have caved already, I LIKE wine so I'm in awe of those of you who are doing this without the support.

Well done everyone, all those who have abstained completely, and everyone who has chosen to just cut down. These are personal journeys, and I think we're all doing brilliantly.

I'm really really struggling with my Dry January.
Currently cooking A full roast chicken. With every trimming imaginable.
Sooooo want a glass of dry white wine.
Having a tonic water instead. Just doesn't cut it!

Having a really crappy day today . In a way I am glad I'm not drinking as that would possibly make it worse. I am just hoping for tomorrow to be a better day.

Keep going everyone!

Namechanger2117, I need that advice going forward too. I just drink and drink. Stay till the end of the party!

I'm not feeling the benefits of DJ. Actually I generally don't, when I've done DJ previously. That's because I sleep like a trooper anyway, and don't get hangovers. So? Where's my supposed weight loss? Haven't noticed it yet!

And financial? Don't think saving the occasional Aldi's £7 for a touraine Sauvignon blanc dry white or organic toro loco red, is worth this much pain!

DH and I are drinking some Becks Blue he found in the garage. It says BBE 2015 on it!