DRY JANUARY 2021! This way please... all welcome

[HPLikecraft]

It’s that time of year again... the late Christmas present to our livers!

You may be thinking of doing Dry January to:

*detox a little after seasonal overindulgence, or
*help you cut down a bit generally, or
*help you start to get out of a harmful alcohol habit, or
*just be a bit healthier for a month...

It’s good for all of those things!

I find the MN DJ threads excellent for support, encouragement, sharing info,‘we’re in this together’ camaraderie, suggestions for grown up drinks, aversion techniques and just fun.

This is my fourth year of DJ and I swear it has made all the difference to me; it was so hard first time, but having succeeded I did dry June and October after that, and do so every year. It has broken my habit, banished the craving and reset my relationship with booze.

I won’t be finding DJ too difficult this year, but some will. Hopefully this thread will help.

Come climb aboard the wagon! 🙂☕️🧃

Checking in too! Nearly caved tonight with dhs anxiety. So glad I didn’t, that teacup is ridiculously addictive!

Day 14. Still going! 👍 Taken up dressmaking again as a distraction from all the bad news. And to relax in the evenings. Making a blue wrap dress for spring!

Ooo @RaisinsRuinEverything. Will you give us a twirl in your dress before DJ is out

Day 15 in to Week 3! I used to be secretly envious of those friends who did DJ or even could take a break from drinking - now I'm one of them! I really can't pinpoint what made me make the decision but I am so pleased that I did and can.

Still waking up groggy with a headache but it soon disappears and my sleep is definitely improving. No waking up throughout the night with a racing heart and gulping for breath.
I feel like I have lost some weight - haven't weighed myself for years but even contemplating buying some scales.

Relieved to not have the argument in my head everyday about drinking. Pleased I don't have to go back and read the last few chapters of a book because I can't remember what I read the night before.

I have said previously that I look upon DJ as the start to my stopping, I feel confident and motivated and this and the other DJ thread have played a major part in this, thanks OP and everyone

Today we hit the halfway point! I never expected to get this far, so I'm very pleased. And motivated now. I've done two weeks, how hard could another two be?

I forgot I was doing this until a friend said he'd got me a bottle of something and I said oh but it's dry January.

Lockdown is helping me as I'm away from my main stressors :)

Well done to those who thought it might be impossible. If anyone does drink just hop right back to the mission!

I didn't expect to make it either @katmarie - Go us !!

@Hepzibar - I could have written your post. I feel like the craving is less the last 2 days though and I really think now I that I can go on and do more.

Well done everyone! I'm way behind you only having started on Monday (I blame Mr Johnson) but actually can't believe it's day 5 already!

Amy need thinking of continuing into Feb? My aim is to go up to half term :-)

Amy need = anyone 🤣

Day 15 sounds good! Pleased I've made it this far and am utterly determined to finish the month.
@SnoopyMcLoopy I am thinking to do February too, it would be such a help to me if others were and continued to post, I really find it motivating to have this thread. I don't post every day but I do catch up whenever I can. I'd feel a bit alone if I didn't have it and not sure I would have made it this far without it.

Today is going to be tricky. My DH has done it with me so far, but said all along he was just taking a couple of weeks off. Tonight will be the first time he has drunk in front of me, really hope I can resist joining in.

@lunklitdays well I will be here 🙋🏻‍♀️

Great thanks @SnoopyMcLoopy, hurrah!
Good luck tonight @Spacecudet, I'm a single parent so don't have a dp in the house but imagine I would find it really hard to resist if someone was drinking next to me BUT you can do it, you have come so far.

Thanks @lunklitdays. He normally sends me a text at 5pm in a Friday to leave work as it's wine o'clock, I reminded him this morning that I wouldn't be joining in. He said he won't tempt me, I CAN do this!

Day 15. Checking in. Sending positive vibes to all.

Remember to ignore that fleeting thought that you've done so well maybe one won't hurt.

Tis the wine witch whispering

@Spacecudet you can! We will wake tomorrow all refreshed and ready for a day of, well not very much, but at least we will have a clear head!

Morning folks - you are all doing really well - keep going. Ignore the wine witch and bat those intrusive thoughts away ( that's what I do, with an imaginary tennis racket!)
I'm on day 14 and have found it ok surprisingly. I usually last 4 or 5 days and then weekend arrives, and I find myself drinking. Last weekend though was really lovely. Obviously no wine but lots done in the house, lots of walking, lots of self care. I found myself dreading this weekend but then wondered why if last weekend was so nice ?
Normally I would drink 2 bottles of wine ( and progress to anything else I could get my grubby paws on), smoke ( only when drunk. I hate it), then Sunday would be lying in bed all day, eating complete and utter rubbish whilst trying desperately to ignore my grandaughter's pleas to play. I usually succumb through guilt and of course it's not her fault, but I count the hours til bedtime).
I must remember this, this weekend.
Apologies for long post. This thread is keeping me going, so thanks everyone for your strength and inspiration x

Hi everyone, day 15! I think I’m going to take it week by week after this and see how I go rather than set myself up for failure, having been there before. I’m quite looking forward to a alcohol free weekend now.

@Spacecudet you can do it. I was worried about the first Friday when I did dry lockdown in Nov. But it was fine. I'm spending more time and care on cooking because if I had wine I would also be popping outside for a vape too! But because I'm not drinking I'm also not vaping either.

@TheWildRumpyPumpus I get what you mean about setting yourself up to fail. 5 weeks for me is hopefully doable and also ties in with (possibly) some change to the covid rules. I can easily do this when there's no temptation to meet friends in the pub 😂

Hi Everyone!
Someone kindly linked me to this thread.
I'm doing Dry January and am raising money for cancer research while I'm doing it :)
15 days in and it's going well.
My skin is clearer, I have more energy and feel good.
However I have had a niggley intermittent headache now since Monday, and I'm wondering if it's due to stopping alcohol?
I naively assumed you would have to be an alcoholic drinking all day every day to get some sort of withdrawal side effect, but is this my body reacting to no alcohol having been used to drinking 3/4 bottles a week of wine?
Has anyone else had these symptoms?
Thanks and I'm glad to be out of this thread :) xx

I can't say I've ever gotten headaches when I've given up before, but as everyone is different, it could be a withdrawal effect for you.
Are you drinking enough water? I try to drink 2litres plus. Lots of annoying trips to the toilet, but hey ho.
Just see how you go...you may find they ease off given time.

Hello everyone. Day 15 here too. Life is very dull and boring, can't go out as still isolating, so just working. Very bad dreams last night. Mind all a whirr. Nice FaceTime chat with a friend today, so do feel like I've seen a bit of the outside world.

Hold on tight this evening space. My DH has been drinking all the way through January so far. I am very envious, but I've mentally OK as I am saving-up my share of wine money for a nice treat.

Day 15 here too. I've been very distracted with other stuff, and haven't been thinking about not drinking as much. Must be good.

@JC17fj74

Could be sugar withdrawal. Could be a vitamin b deficiency.

I naively assumed you would have to be an alcoholic drinking all day every day to get some sort of withdrawal side effect, but is this my body reacting to no alcohol having been used to drinking 3/4 bottles a week of wine?

Alcoholism is a spectrum and drinking 30 - 40 units a week is on that spectrum.