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

[ParanoidGynodroid]

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!

I've found today tricky. Step daughter being VERY tricky and had Sunday lunch with in-laws (lovely) where I was literally gagging for a glass of wine. But I've resisted and sipping Perrier.

I'm proud of myself but shocked at how much I crave the grape.

I'm glad that I'm not the only one finding it hard today. I've managed to avoid temptation by eating frequently and drinking lots of tea from 5 onwards. I'm also surprised by how much i've craved wine @myhandsareverycold. I knew that I was drinking too much but naively thought I'd be ok this early into the month.

last hour has been tough. I am tired, not looki ng forward to work tomorrow and that is it really.

But I have managed. Now about to do 30 minutes tidying upstairs then shower then bed.

This time of the evening is a bugger but through the worst now. I actually find the weekends easier than the weekdays. Coming home from work tired, dinner to cook and then nothing to do all evening is my recipe for a drink. Think I will find tomorrow tough!

Agree with PP, I often find weekdays harder than weekends, as a glass of wine is so easy to look forward to when you are having a stressful afternoon at work

I'm the opposite to a lot of you - I suspect it's sheer stubbornness but I'm okay with not having a drink in the evenings - it's just become something I don't do now (after a whole five days!). I'm pleasantly surprised that I'm not really missing it.

But next Saturday, I'm going out for dinner - that's where I'm going to struggle. Tempted to let myself have a drink as I'm out, but that feels like it could be a slippery slope... Never mind, I've got a week before I have to come to a decision!

I feel the same @Bookskark
I have found it a lot easier than I thought I would but I have a friends birthday in a couple of weeks and that will need to be thought about!

My anxiety is up. Urgh! Dds are back to school tomorrow as well as me. We’ve had a lovely break, but I’m looking forward to half term already

Hi, can I join the thread? Day 5 for me but really craving a drink while getting dinner ready. Had a big glass of water instead. Me and DH's drinking has gradually been increasing over the years and, if we didn't do shift work, I'm sure we'd drink every night 😫. He is convinced I won't manage to stay off the booze for the whole month and is quite scornful of DJ. But I'm determined not to give in.

Am not doing alone. DH along for the ride. I had a minor longing gazing at red wine today but it was brief. Big test is full week at work with school runs and clubs and dh shifts. I won't cave but wouldn't be surprised if grumpy

Day 12 for me. Each day gets a little bit easier. The diet will start once all the chocolate has gone!

Still dry on day five here. Not finding it too difficult, yet. I’m actually rather enjoying trying different alcohol free beer, some of them are really nice.

i’ve got some really important stuff coming up in the next few weeks so I’ll be glad of the clear head, I’m going to need it.

I’m still dry on day 5 and feeling positive. Very clear Headed and generally feeling healthy. I think I was drinking way too much, actually.

I would have enjoyed a glass of something cold and white while watching Call the Midwife tonight but resisted.
Five down and twenty-six to go!

Glad im not the only one craving sugar. Back to school tomorrow so normal routine to start so no more eating crap and back on 16:8.

I have kept myself busy this weekend and am surprised how well I feel however this is not the first time of af month but always, seem to fall back in the drinking trap. Hope i can change it for good this time!!

Nearly a week, well done all!!

Please can I join you? I have been doing it since 1st Jan, but this is my first day on Mumsnet. I did it last year too and found it much harder then, but I suppose that's because I know I can do it now. It's still tough getting through the weekend and I have huge sugar cravings. Also, I am still off work so next Friday will be the real test for me.

I also read the Catherine Grey book last year and found a lot of it resonated with me. Does anyone have a recommendation of a book that my DH might read? I think he will find hers too 'female'.

Something that stuck with me from a thread last year, was that cravings only last seven minutes at a time. That's nothing! I can do anything for seven minutes, possibly even run. So it helps me to remember that.

Keep up the good work everyone!

Feeling suspiciously positive here. Day 5 has been good - I went for a drink in a bar and had a zero alcohol IPA, then went on the cinema.

I'm now feeling a bit smug, drinking tea in bed and looking forward to starting some yoga tomorrow.

Please don't let this bubble burst.

Another day done. I thought I’d really struggle today but it was a breeze. Had water with Sunday dinner, then moved on to herbal tea later. God I sound ancient 😂

Crikey 5 down- we are 😇

Been having a few sneaky cravings. I tend to drink late in the evening when DCs have gone to bed (they are teens) so maybe that's my " wine o clock".

Have purged the house of alcohol and DH on strict instructions only to buy beer or mini bottles of wine so I can resist temptation.

Its much easier than DJs past but I know that the real risk for me is when I've got a good few days under my belt.

Also we are waiting for some news about something (think exam results or similar) and that kind of waiting always makes me want to drink to pass the time. Rubbish excuse really

Can I join although I'm only starting today now that we've returned from holiday? I've done it in the past but don't find it easy, so the support would be nice!

I’m doing DJ, on day 5 and...so far so good! Last year I got half-way through and told myself I’d proved I could do it but it wasn’t much fun, so I had a martini. Bad news. A week is ok but two weeks seems to be my danger zone. I bet lots of us will feel it by then. We can do it!

Hello, I started a detox after Boxing Day and am carrying on with DJ. I’ve been going off alcohol generally so I wasn’t drinking too much each time just too many consecutive days over the holiday period and keen to cut down generally. Wine currently feels too acidic these days and spirits give me a headache but I like the taste of them with mixers and in cocktails. Looking for replacements which taste good. I tried seed lip but it didn’t really taste of anything when I mixed it with tonic water. Maybe better to drink it straight? Would love some recommendations of non alcoholic spirits that I can drink with a mixer or of the best mixers.

For the moment I’m not missing the feeling of alcohol only the taste. Appreciate it’s early days and i might crave the feeling of it too. I’ve started taking a milk thistle liver supplement too as I figure this is probably the best time to take it. Anyone got any specific liver supplements to recommend? Thank you!

Well done everyone. Five days down. That’s 16%!!

I’ve enjoyed Becks Blue tonight, and also some Belvoir spiced ginger cordial that I found reduced in Wilko today.

Stay strong.

Monring all! i love that Ginger cordial. Paranoid.

..... my DSis sent me a link to a cruise she is talking about going on with our parents....... It is in April. DH will not want to go. i am thinking of making a deal that if I stay dry until then and put the money aside i have basically paid for a trip...... danger zone!!!!