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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
GissASquizz · 04/01/2019 13:05

I've not missed a glass of wine...until now. Weekends are always toughest.

MrsGrindah · 04/01/2019 13:26

I don’t want to jinx it but so far I feel strong. Mind you I haven’t had a craving yet so that will be a test but imagine how good we will feel when we have done the first week!,

Bringbackthestripes · 04/01/2019 14:35

Anyone else having problems sleeping? Even on nights I wouldn’t normally have a drink, due to an early start for work, I get in bed then I am suddenly wide awake until gone midnight.
Tonight will be difficult, it’s usually clock watching until a reasonable time to crack open a bottle to erase the stresses of the week.

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FetchezLaVache · 04/01/2019 14:54

Bringback, not having trouble sleeping as such, but not sleeping as soundly as I had anticipated! Getting less deep sleep too, according to my Fitbit. That said, I definitely felt quite BE&BT this morning.

Totorosfluffytummy · 04/01/2019 15:14

Day 4. So far so good, apart from feeling very sleepy in the mornings.
Friday nights are the hardest so I'm thinking of alternative drinks and distractions.
Will replace the Friday night red wine with Vimto this evening with dinner then go on to camomile tea.
There will be no booze in the house and I don't get invited out for drinks these days and no other adults in my house to tempt me to drink so it's looking good at the moment.. but I will be thinking of red wine later! Going to watch a movie, walk the dog, do my nails and read to distract myself.
Good luck everyone!

optionthree · 04/01/2019 15:31

So glad it's not just me feeling the pangs about tonight. I bloody loved my first gin on a Friday.

BUT...

Even after three days, I feel so much better. And my jeans aren't bursting Blush I just need to keep reminding myself of that when I am desperately craving a drink at 8pm.

Did anyone else go through what felt like a little withdrawal? For the first two days I felt sick and my anxiety spiked. Might have been totally unrelated, mind.

How is everyone else feeling about the weekend?

Bloodyfucksake · 04/01/2019 16:09

I'm only on day 3 and it would be so easy to give in. I have a bottle of wine in the fridge left over from the festive period and I keep thinking "I'll open that later" but I'm going to try not to. Bloody hard not to give in. Reading about everyone else staying strong, even though they are just as tempted as me is really helping. I love reading these posts.

MrsGrindah · 04/01/2019 16:54

Yes I having terrible trouble sleeping.DH is too and he’s also doing DJ so it must be linked. We have a houseful of booze. Won’t need to buy any come Feb. I’m enjoying focussing on the money I’m saving too.

MrsGrindah · 04/01/2019 16:56

optionGutted that my jeans are still too tight but I’m wearing them to remind myself how uncomfortable I feel!

Ringsender2 · 04/01/2019 17:00

I'm in!

Screamqueenz · 04/01/2019 17:22

I'm drinking cranberry juice with soda water in my gin and tonic glass. Hopefully this will keep me satisfied.
Drinks left in the house include, a bottle of champagne (unopened), a bottle of port (open), two bottles of baileys (one open, one unopened).
I'm planning on sharing the champagne with my best friend when we get together in February, and it would take a lot for me to fancy drinking the others. So hopefully I'll be okay tonight.
Just can't get over how tired I am and what a banging headache I've had for two days.

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?
FetchezLaVache · 04/01/2019 21:34

That looks lovely, @Screamqueenz!

Am so excited - M&S have a whole stand of alcohol-free wines for DJ - I bought a pretend sauvignon blanc (£2.95) and some pretend rosé fizz (£3.50). Am just about to crack open the former and will report back!

Screamqueenz · 04/01/2019 21:34

Oh great, let us know the outcome.

FetchezLaVache · 04/01/2019 21:50

It smells exactly like SB!

...and tastes exactly like apple juice. Crushing disappointment!

GhostSauce · 04/01/2019 22:09

I can't do the thing where you have a nice pretty AF drink in a gin glass with ice, I still end up glugging it out of habit waiting for that first buzz.

I'm having to stick to horlicks and mint tea, so my brain accepts that there will be no booze forthcoming tonight. Then I start to accept it and stop craving.

Screamqueenz · 04/01/2019 22:20

Day 4 is done, I'm off to bed. I'd normally stay up until midnight drinking on a Friday, but I've stuck to soft drinks, had a caffeine free cup of tea and there is no point in not going to bed.

Hopefully I'll get a lie in tomorrow, I've been so tired this week, not sure if it's to do with stopping drinking or just the 10 days off work.

optionthree · 04/01/2019 22:26

I've stuck to decaf tea too. My brain behaves better if I completely remove the thoughts of booze.

ColouringPencils · 04/01/2019 22:27

Can I join you? I am doing Dry Jan for the first time. I was always so scathing about other people doing it, but then I realised that maybe that's because the idea terrified me Grin.

I've be fine up until now, but knew Friday would be tough. I have to actually feel unwell not to drink on a Friday normally. I did that pretend drink thing of having a sparkling raspberry and ginger in my usual wine glass, followed by a cup of decaf tea. I do feel a bit bored and have taken myself off to bed early.

I am planning on rewarding myself with an expensive perfume at the end of the month, which costs around the amount I will have saved.

GhostSauce · 04/01/2019 22:37

@ColouringPencils yep, I think most of us on this thread will be tucked up in bed by 10pm on weekends this month to curb the urges!

I sat on the sofa earlier looking around me not quite knowing what to do with myself!

I'm in bed sucking a lemon sherbet and reading a poirot.

ColouringPencils · 04/01/2019 22:40

@GhostSauce Haha I am reading Normal People, which just won the Booker prize. Pretty good, but I would rather be most of the way through a bottle of wine. Only 3 Fridays left to go!

ColouringPencils · 04/01/2019 22:43

It didn't win the Booker Prize! Why is there no edit function on here? Grin

ApolloandDaphne · 04/01/2019 23:20

I am back from my holiday now and have completed my first AF day. Am very tired after travelling so haven't missed it and we have tickets for the cinema booked tomorrow so no temptation to drink as the cinema is a drive away. Hope you are all enjoying peaceful slumbers!

CraicMammy · 04/01/2019 23:31

Hi just wanted to pop by and wish you all good luck with the not drinking. I stopped about 6 months ago and do not regret it!

I’ve not RTFT so sorry if this has already been mentioned but I read The Unexpected Joy of being Sober and found it so helpful. I’d wholeheartedly recommend it

MsMustDoBetter · 04/01/2019 23:53

I'm joining too.

Day 4, Friday Night was tough and I was very tempted to have a glass of wine, but I feel very smug not to have broken. I get a sense of achievement by ticking the teacup on the DJ ap.

Screamqueenz · 05/01/2019 08:41

Over 8 hours sleep last night, and (apart from a couple of dog related disturbances) woke naturally.

I feel amazing this morning, and I've got two whole days to be productive at home rather than the old standard, which was wait until lunchtime and crack open a bottle of wine then watch tv all afternoon and evening. (Yes, I was that dull).