DRY HARD 2 - DRY HARDER! Dry January continued. All welcome.

[HPLikecraft]

Shiny new thread to see us through to end of the month... possibly beyond!

KOKOing everyone.

Hello everyone, thanks @HPLikecraft for the shiny new thread. I'm sorry to see some.people have been having a hard time. Someone on the previous thread (so sorry I can't remember username) was saying they felt like stopping drinking had unleashed all these emotions and they ere wondering about going on ADs. I've been on sertraline for anxiety for 2 years, and I started decreasing my dose about 3f months ago, aiming to be off completely by end Feb. Can't speak for depression but for anxiety it was brilliant. Like putting on a plaster over a wound to protect it while it heals. BUT I do feel that now I am so ready to come off them completely - I felt a bit numbed for a while, which at the time I absolutely needed. But now I am tapering my dose I feel like I'm waking up a bit - I have the drive to do things like DJ amd feel generally like I have more passion for things. So my experience is theyre a really helpful aid when you need them, but you need to be aware of when its time to come off. I'd have no hesitation going back up to a higher dose if the anxiety got bad again.

Anyway, massive derail there. I'm still dry amd feeling good about it. Have hopefully set my alarm for 6.30 tomorrow so I can go for a little jog amd get some work done before the dreaded homeschooling starts! Wish me luck (not a mor in person!)

Love the new title! I'm on a roll now - Dry Hard with a Vengeance! 💪💪

Ha, a bit previous there, @TeaRose29... shouldn’t that be the name of the third instalment? 😂
Actually, if enough of us want to stay dry through February, we may need a third thread.

Dry Another Day - I like the cut of your gib, @RaisinsRuinEverything! 👏🏼

I’m not sure about dry February yet... my older DD said she thinks she’ll do it (she’s DJing with me) so I should, but there’s a bottle of vintage cava in the cupboard that’s haunting my dreams and taunting my waking hours. DH said I should drink on Feb 1st, then go dry again... can’t help feeling that’s cheating!

@BrassicaBabe how amazing to get such a diagnosis in adulthood. I hope it’s brought you some clarity and reassurance, self knowledge and perhaps vindication. Be kind to yourself (but stay dry!)

@Ladywinesalot I hope you’ll feel more positive soon. It’s awful and frustrating to be in this situation in the depressing dullness of winter. But hey, you’re tough... you’re managing dry January after all.

And best wishes to anyone else struggling today.

I probably won’t be back on tonight, so midnight marks 61.3% of DJ done and dusted.

Good night and well done, all.

Hey @Ladywinesalot how are you doing this evening? I agree. Lockdown is beyond terrible and wine definitely dulled the pain of it. We're only internet randoms I know, but we're thinking of you.

Also, like Larry I "gave in" and accepted the offer of an AD prescription for sertraline in November. I felt better really quickly. And wish I'd given in much earlier.

I'm pretty sure I'm up for Dry Feb. Mostly eh.

Still going here. Had a few wobbles but managing ok. Hope everyone is ok.

Night all - started evening productively but ended it scrolling aimlessly through Right Move.

Still - didn't drink aimlessly so that's a plus.

And it's day 20. Go us.

Day 19 makes me feel quite accomplished! This is my longest stretch without a drink since my last pregnancy I think! I was very glad of dry Jan this morning after being up most of the night with my 4 year old. I felt tired, but not exhausted in the way I would have been if I’d had two big glasses of wine last night. No weight loss or lovely skin here yet, but generally not feeling tired and anxious is worth it.

Day 20!
Drinking still takes up some headspace but not in a craving way, it feels a bit like how I think about food and planning meals when I'm on a diet.
Still wake up feeling groggy but maybe so does everyone else? It's hard to remember what is normal when you haven't woke up without alcohol in your system for years!
I keep scrutinising my face/skin, definitely less red (doesn't need as much foundation), possibly a better colour.
Wish I had taken pictures and weighed myself but TBH I didn't expect to get past day 1.
Well done all those who have made it this far, and those who have had a wobble, today is another day, keep checking in here, there is a reason group support works - this is it.

Morning! I'm loving the talk of dry February. I'm thinking about it too. I want to get to a point where I drink socially but I don't drink at home at all unless entertaining (so socially) or for a special occasion eg birthday or to.celebrate something proper (and 'it's Friday!!!!' doesn't count as a celebration).

Hello, another thanks for the new thread.

Day 20, and my skin is much better. I feel better. Still constipated but I am hoping that will start to change soon. Drinking hard for so many months must have an affect that takes a while to fix.

I am thinking of pushing on to dry February because my skin is so good. So pure vanity, but at 40 you gotta do what you can. I have actively tried to replace booze with sleep so maybe that is helping too.

On those nights where I really fancy a drink, I find a Becks Blue hits the spot and at 30 calories a bottle, it isn't hard on the waistline.

Don't know about continuing into February, but definitely want to drink in moderation. I was only ever a weekend drinker, but would often drink more than 1 bottle of wine a night. I'm wondering about drinking less, and only drinking every other weekend. I know moderation will probably be harder than complete abstinence though.

Hmmm, wasn't going to contemplate rolling-in to Dry Feb too, but actually I'm so all-or-nothing that even if I were to cut down to Fri/Sat/Sun eves only in Feb, I would have no willpower & end up drinking midweek too.

61% HP ? Ohh, that's pretty good. Day 20 here.

I have already given myself permission to have a drink or two end of next week as it's my DM's funeral. I really can't not raise a glass to her

I'll probably join you all for Dry Feb, but trying to take one thing at a time and just get January done first. It'll be DH's birthday in Feb, and I guess that thought it slightly in my mind, too. Lockdown birthdays are a bit depressing as it is, and without even a drink? (He could obviously have some, but would I be able to not join in?)

Day 20. Another decent night. I notice a pattern of my mood really crashing in the afternoons now. I don't know if I used to afternoon drink because my mood was crashing, or if my mood is now crashing because I'm not drinking. Either way I'm trying hard to think of little things to keep me busy, but it's hard to find the motivation when you feel so low. I'm on ADs and have been for the past 15ish years - all attempts to come off go badly, although I've changed ADs quite a few times. Currently on mirtazapine. As much as I don't enjoy all the side effects from this particular one, I'm definitely better off on them. I do wish they were a bit more of a magic pill, though.

Right. The weather looks horrible, but I'm getting a touch of cabin fever staying in, so will put on a big waterproof coat and go brave the storm. At least the streets should be nice and quiet.

Thank you for your replies, I have woken up feeling much better today.

I went to bed at 8pm last night and am sure I was asleep by 8:30. Didn’t wake until 5am this morning.
Perhaps my mind and body are detoxing and need extra rest.

I have been exercising 3-4 times a week this month and eating healthy so replenishing myself well.

I’m holding off ADs as long as I can as I don’t want to numb all my feelings. I have been connecting better with my family and it’s nice.

I thought my biggest struggle for DJ would be the boredom and missing having a glass in my hand but it’s been detoxing off the alcohol physically and mentally.

I didn’t expect to be so emotional. I hadn’t realised alcohol had numbed me and disengaged me so much.

Glad you are feeling a bit better @Ladywinesalot and my thoughts to anyone else who is feeling rubbish.

Thank you @HPLikecraft for the new thread.

I'm had a bad couple of days, my dp (of over a year) well my ex dp now, have been having little issues. Nothing too bad I thought but definitely things have t been as they were. I spoke to him about it on Monday night, said maybe we were too different etc but on Tuesday morning my friend sent me a screenshot of him off Tinder. It was a bit of a blow, he's 48 not a youngster but still couldn't be grown up enough just to finish it. I blocked him on everything etc but I feel so bloody stupid, I've had a few private cries but I'm desperately trying not to wallow but I know he's probably got someone else lined up already so won't be feeling as dreadful as me, which is really fucking annoying!
Wanted wine so much last night but knew it would be a bad idea, drunk messaging him pathetic shite likely and waking up today feeling worse about myself.
I have no kids on Friday night so it will be a struggle but I'm determined not to make a fool of myself any more than I already have.

But it's day 20, is it? That's nearly 3 bloody weeks! Go us guys!!

@lunklitdays oh I’m sorry he was such a git

You deserve so much better and at least it makes room for someone decent!

Bloody hell Lunklit, that's awful! What a complete tool - and a coward, you're better off without him.
And I agree about drunk messaging, at least you can face these horrible early days with a clear head and sober determination instead of waking up with The Fear of what you might have said or done otherwise.

Had a better night last night. Took a Kalms sleep tablet, green tea, no phone before bed and a liberal dousing of Lavender pillow spray. My sleep heart rate still appeared to be all over the place but I feel a bit more refreshed.

Day 20 and whatever happens from here on in, I'm bloody proud of myself.

I'm dealing with WFH / homeschooling 8 and 6yo / toddler (and kitten who is uber cute and lovely but a freaking pain in the arse) as well as dealing with all the emotional issues in the background... recent loss of my mother, my own health issues and my DC3's condition (rare genetic condition diagnosed at birth, global development delay being main issue at the moment) and I am doing it all without my usual crutch. Plus as DP works out of the house I deal with a lot of the day to day grunt work he does pull his weight though

I can't say I am a picture of health or that I have this nailed or that I'll never drink again (I wish!!) But I can say I feel in control and I feel able to tackle all my demands without the usual anxiety and dread.

I want to go for 100 days. Ambitious but I think then I'll truly know if there is a place for wine in my life!!!

Thanks for the new thread OP.
Well done everyone.
I saw an ad on TV last night for Gordon's alcohol free gin - in the big green bottle, just like the real stuff. Has anyone tried this please? I'm wondering about getting a bottle on this week's online order, with some nice tonics.

How’s today been for all?
I had a little afternoon nap on the sofa and kids watched tv, not much home schooling today.

But I’ve woken up famished and I can’t not get it out my head that I want to scoff everything or drink!

I’ve not been very hungry since DJ but today 🤤
My period is due next week so maybe why?

@lunklitdays well done for staying strong. You're right that drunk messaging would make you feel worse. If you get restless hands wanting to reach for a glass on Friday, you could always write something on this thread and we'll all help you keep going.
Glad you're feeling better @Ladywinesalot.

Goodness @Crunchymum you are amazing..I've lots of admiration for you handling all of that and staying strong - well done you.

Evening all. I am fed up of it raining. I work in a room with a skylight and so can hear it pounding down non stop. Its been so dark that at 1pm today I thought it was 3pm and asked my DD why she was having lunch so late.

Venture out for a walk and felt knackered after 5 minutes of sliding around on the mud in the local park.

@lunklitdays - so sorry to hear about your DP - realtionship stress is really soul destroying but drunken sobbing will not help. Try to stay dry - you will feel better for it.

I salute all of you struggling along with home schooling and/ or health issues - today has not been a day to make you feel upbeat.

I saw a snowdrop in the garden today & the birds in my garden are getting all territorial - signs that spring is on its way. Hold on to that DJers

🥳🥳for your snowdrops @CrystalE My mood goes hand in hand with the arrival of the daffodils

In 2 out of 3 mirrors at home I think my skin looks better. Not glowing yet, but it's a start. Damn weight is hanging on in for grim death though!

Decided with DH to keep going until 5th Feb. Ordered one of those restaurant meal kits for that Friday night so looking forward to that. I’m really interested to try one week on/one week off when I get back to it. Don’t want every weekend to be super boozy again. I’ve never been able to moderate but I’m hoping age will help push me in the right direction! Plus my hangovers are dreadful too.

@lunklitdays so sorry that happened to you but well done for staying strong

I've just put my dead freezer and my equally dead refrigerator out for collection tomorrow. Its not been a good month for us for appliances. But, at least we will be able to afford their replacements! Off to bed in a minute, another stinking headache. But another day dry :)