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Original poster

Dry January 2020. A new relationship with alcohol. Who’s joining me?

999 replies

ParanoidGynodroid · 30/12/2019 10:17

It’s that time again!
I did my first dry January around 5 years ago, having seen it on here. It was a great thing to do: really helped my get control of my drinking. Since then I’ve done it every year, along with at least one or two other dry months.

DJ may help you:
Lose weight. ...
Get better skin. ...
Make healthier food choices. ...
Save money. ...
Sleep better. ...
Have more energy. ...
Improve your mood. ...
Improve your general health

and make you feel virtuous!

It’s not necessarily easy though, so it’s good to have support; especially if you’re feeling week and like you may give up. We can support each other here.

Join me! Brew

OP posts:
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16
thisusernameismine · 03/01/2020 20:54

I'm in but my January starts on Monday. Can I still be part of the gang? Grin

This week doesn't count - celebrating family over from America and brother getting engaged, plus I'm not back at work yet.

Looking forward to a cleanse as feel
I've had a daily drink since giving up breastfeeding 7 months ago Hmm

Nomorewineever · 03/01/2020 21:11

Which app are you all using? The yellow ‘trydry’ one?

pointythings · 03/01/2020 21:14

I am having fruit tea cravings. This is weird - I normally don't have cravings at all. I'm going to blame the menopause.

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IzzyDeNero · 03/01/2020 21:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mummyof4kids · 03/01/2020 21:38

@Spitsandspots I've had headache since New Year's Day, it only went today

myhandsareverycold · 03/01/2020 21:42

In bed. Shattered. Hoping that means I'll sleep.... night all, will check in tomorrow with an update.

Whatisthisfuckery · 03/01/2020 21:52

Frizzero sparkling white wine is lush. Bought a bottle to share with DP. it’s £4 out of M&S.

I think I’ll be fine at this as long as I’ve got something nice to drink. I normally drink water so I’ll lose my mind if I don’t have something else in the evening.

brittabot · 03/01/2020 22:01

I’m feeling really tetchy but figure I’ve made it until 10pm on a Friday night so no point starting now.

brittabot · 03/01/2020 22:04

I’m doing the trydry app, are there others?

SegregateMumBev · 03/01/2020 22:26

Oooh, look at the time, well done us on breaking the back of the witching evening.

I did some knitting, had a magnesium foot soak and a highly ironic face pack, sorted my knicker drawer, enjoyed the Gies Wrong Show and am now puzzling over my teaser.

ironicname · 03/01/2020 22:31

Dry Friday night, well done everyone.

I'm not struggling yet, but did have three Becks Blue. I'm going to stock up on it tomorrow as it seems to be working.

Night night, sweet dreams sober sisters.

Nomorewineever · 03/01/2020 23:00

@brittabot yes there are other unofficial ones. A few have said they find the app good but it’s less than accurate - i drink £4.50 Aldi wine and it’s trying to tell me I’ve already saved £19 (unlikely in 3 days, two of which I would have been dry anyway). I like pressing the button to say I’ve stayed dry though. Maybe I’m missing something.

I’d really like to find a decent dry tasting alcohol free wine that doesn’t cost a bomb. Although to be honest I’d rather just be happy finding satisfaction somehow in a drink which isn’t trying to be alcohol. Schweppes russchian is nice if you can find it. It’s a bit like fevertree aromatic. I’m just trying to avoid piling sugary drinks into the mix. Come Monday I’ll also be on 1200 calories a day so really need to stick to low calorie options.

CilantroChili · 03/01/2020 23:13

Friday night is the hardest night.
Got through it fairly ok though.

Recommend: Robinson’s Crushed Lime and mint cordial. Delicious.

Winecheesesleep · 03/01/2020 23:23

Pleased to have Friday night done, after the initial brief desire for my usual Friday glass of wine it's been fine. Had some tonic with ice and lemon and then a chai tea. Looking forward to feeling good in the morning.

SylviaC · 03/01/2020 23:28

Managed the party with just a couple of glasses of orange juice. Which I don't really like much. But I did enjoy the party as I was much more interested in chatting than having to think about keeping track of what I was drinking.

We are nearly through Friday but I know that in past I have gone and blown it with a sneaky glass of something when everyone has gone to bed so hang on in there anyone who is even contemplating this.

Looking forward to clear head tomorrow.

brittabot · 03/01/2020 23:37

Cillantro yes, I am also drinking lime and mint cordial with ice - it’s doing the trick!

Kimlek · 04/01/2020 00:24

Survived Fri night on Belvoir cordial (rose something flavour) with soda water... not bad at all!!

mummyof4kids · 04/01/2020 05:20

I'm up for work with a clear head and feeling fresh as a daisy. Bring on day 4

SegregateMumBev · 04/01/2020 07:00

Day 4, bring it on!

parkrun this morning with no worries about driving or running hungover.
Dance class tonight.

Good chance I might finish this jumper before the end of teh month too.

BettyJean · 04/01/2020 07:06

I e been doing dry January, dry July and Ocsober for a few years.

It helps me reset my relationship with alcohol. For the few months after each dry month I drink noticeably less but in the month or so leading up to each dry month, I notice the bad habits creeping in again. By bad habits I mean a cheeky gin and tonic in the bath (a few times a week) plus my usual weekend wine, taking me above the 14 units recommended each week. In the month or so after a dry month I’ll only drink about 4 units a week.

Alcoholism runs in my family, so it’s my way of controlling it.

suneetime · 04/01/2020 08:24

I’ve done dry Jan before and it did improve my unit consumption for a good few weeks after but the quantities started to creep up again. So this time I’m aiming for 100 days but allowing myself a drink if I go out. Which isn’t often! It’s the daily drinking at home I need to put a stop to. The DC have started commenting on how much wine DH and I get through and I really don’t want to normalise it for them so feel a longer term plan is needed.

I’ve already clicked that I’ve stayed dry in the app for today. I really won’t want to have to change that so hopefully it will help see me through this evening.

imamearcat · 04/01/2020 08:40

I love waking up on a Saturday / Sunday feeling really fresh! Rarely happens normally!! Have also downloaded the app. May help a little.

myhandsareverycold · 04/01/2020 08:56

Shocking nights sleep again. Glad it's morning!

How did everyone else sleep?

Spitsandspots · 04/01/2020 08:56

Wow - Saturday without a hangover and I’m planning things I wouldn’t normally be able to contemplate! Smile

What app is everyone using?

Cravingcake · 04/01/2020 09:16

Slept pretty well once I finally fell asleep. Have downloaded some books to read on my kindle and have been reading in bed to help stop my mind wandering.

So pleased with how I’ve done so far but know next week will be the real test when kids go back to school, DH back to work and ‘normal’ life resumes.