DRY JANUARY 2022! Been overindulging? Drinking crept up? Want to begin a healthy new you? 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 fifth 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 most years. It has broken my habit, banished much of the craving and reset my relationship with booze. I imagine it's added years to my life.

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

Throw your hat in the ring, pull up a chair and let's do this together. 🙂☕️🧃

The DJ2022 Wagon creaks to a start in just 5 days, but always stops for latecomers 🙂

Definitely having sugar cravings here. I've had a small bowl office cream and will stick to fizzy water for the rest of the night.

Day three all done. Managed to find a yoga class that starts tonight so once I’ve done that I’ll be ready for bed! Am sleeping better rather than waking up parched and dehydrated in the middle of the night.

I’ve been drinking co-op lemon and lime sparkling water and am watching The Tourist and Anne.

Just checking in before joining DD to catch up on Call the Midwife. DH bought a bottle of AF red wine for us to enjoy this evening - sadly not enjoyable at all - I could barely finish my glass. Switched to fizzy elderflower instead.

Sympathies for those struggling with sleep - that is often my DJ downfall. I have no advice - I often end up just staying up late watching rubbish on TV or reading MN.

Determined to make a start on book tonight

Hi, joining the thread if that’s ok and on day three, thank you for the app recommendation.
Incidentally, my friend just called me to tell me something I have long suspected; they are an alcoholic.

Good luck this evening everyone, and stick two fingers up at temptation! After my less than optimal Nozeco experience last night I'll be back on Beck's Blue.

Welcome to the newcomers that I haven't welcomed yet. I think I remember you from last year @lunklitdays! In any case good to have you and everyone else all in the huddle.

Sorry to hear about the cancelled holiday, @TheZeppo... at least your liver will be pleased.

Thanks @FanGirlX, seems The Tourist is worth watching, will probably start later this week 🙂

Stay strong penguins!🦆

And ducks! 🤦🏻‍♀️

Checking in on day 3. Took the dog for a long walk today and listened to the 'Sober Awkward' podcast on coping with the first 100 days. I'm just focusing on January for now but some good hints and tips in there on getting through so worth a listen if you have a bit of time.

I've got a permanent headache at the mo - hoping it'll clear as the days go on.

Heard so much about 'The Tourist' so going to start that. Trying to make sure I don't have time to miss wine!

Hi @Chocolatecoatedkettlebell.

Its shocking just how easily and close to home alcoholism can strike, isn't it? I hope your friend can get the help they need.

@HPLikecraft

Hi *@Chocolatecoatedkettlebell*.

Its shocking just how easily and close to home alcoholism can strike, isn't it? I hope your friend can get the help they need.

They have started getting help which is why they told me. It’s a relief weirdly, I’ve been worried for quite a while.

Some thoughts on products I’ve been enjoying:
Nix and Kix cucumber mint and cayenne is very refreshing
Booja booja vegan icecream (accidental find) is a good slightly sweet but not too calorific chocolate treat.
For sleep (at risk of oversimplifying a complex issues):
Pukka peace tea
Neom pillow spray

Day 3 check in. It took me forever to get to sleep last night. Still not tempted but it always amazes me how much more time I have in the evenings when I'm not drinking. I don't know what to do with myself.

I just popped on to give anyone struggling moral support. I got incredibly drunk on Hogmanay 2010 and woke up feeling awful. My drinking had been slowly creeping up during 2010 from one or two glasses on a Friday to a bottle or so a night through December 2010. I decided I’d not drink until my birthday in May 2011 and those first days were awful, my sleep was terrible, I just wanted wine between 5.30 and 7 every night and with the dark January nights it was really difficult. For me, these were the things that helped:-

Freezing cold sparkling water with or without elderflower cordial
Frozen grapes to munch
Getting myself out for a walk between these times - no matter what the weather with the kids whining
Long baths when the kids were in bed

Things got easier after day 4, my skin started looking better and I wasn’t as bloated. By day 14 I was sleeping really well again and felt like a different person. By July 2011 I didn’t even think about drinking alcohol any more.

By 31st January 2011 I’d lost 13lbs and started running again. By 31st January 2012 I’d completed 2 half marathons, I know running isn’t for everyone but this was a huge achievement for me.

By 31st January 2021 I’d completed 14 marathons, 9 half marathons and I’ve not had a drink for 12 years now. Some people can moderate, I didn’t want to risk it so I choose to be alcohol free, this isn’t for everyone though!

To anyone doing dry January 2022 you can do this, you never know where it will lead ☺️

I'm craving tonight but will not give in.
I think I'm going to have a face pack and try and find Thr Tourist on my tv.
I've also got a real life magazine I got as a subscription so will enjoy that. I've already got uniforms ready for school and feel clearer if head though dreading work with the lack of wine o clock. But I'm also motivated do much by this thread. Penguin 🐧 love!

Day 3 done, not too bad

Evening all, I'm starting today, I'm hoping my partner will join me, but we only see each other twice a week, so he will make an effort when we are together at least and cutting down drinking two nights a week will be good for him. Not going to be easy when I'm alone, but I'm looking at all these TV suggestions and starting a new cross stitch, plus got loads of decluttering and online selling to do too. Lots to keep me busy! I get so lethargic and lazy when I drink, plus the headaches, hangovers, being sick or having a bad tum after wine...I'll be glad not to have that.
I still have booze in the house, but I'm not throwing away good gin🤣 I'm thinking I might box it up and put it in the attic with the decorations...
Spent today clearing the decs, cleaning and losing my rag with my kids. I'm really struggling with them both (ASD and suspected ADHD) and I hit the booze as soon as it's time to get my youngest to bed.. they are full on, 24/7, although I get a break when they're at their dads, I find he's lazy at doing anything with them so the behaviour is worse when theyre home...I see it as a reward, a way to relax...but I need to get back to it being a treat. I've put on so much weight, I've started smoking again with a drink, it's bad news. Trying the trydry app and have set it to 20 days dry to begin with, then I'll reset and do another 20. Hoping to get to Feb half term. I'm also trying a low/no spend January so I'm hoping I'll get to the end of it with no overdraft and nothing else on the credit card as I'm not going to be spending at least £15 -20 a week on wine..

Well done on Day 3 everyone. Going to get into bed now, don't know whether to start watching Anne or The Tourist.

Thank you for the motivation @Candied

Day 1 done and dusted!

DH helped by drinking alcohol free gin. I had some Fevertree blood red orange soda. It was nice but a bit fizzy for me. Felt a bit bloated after.

After dinner I had a cup of Yorkshire Bedtime tea and a couple of Celebrations. While watching episode one of the Tourist.

In bed now with a big glass of water.

@Chocolatecoatedkettlebell

Some thoughts on products I’ve been enjoying: Nix and Kix cucumber mint and cayenne is very refreshing Booja booja vegan icecream (accidental find) is a good slightly sweet but not too calorific chocolate treat. For sleep (at risk of oversimplifying a complex issues): Pukka peace tea Neom pillow spray

I like the pukka one too. Try dragonfly's night sky calm, if you see it.

@Candied

What an amazing (and aspirational) journey you've had.

I will sadly never be a runner [I have arthritis] but I'd love to be a non drinker.

Day 1 done for me. Wish it was day 3 but hey ho. I'm hoping for 100 days so doesn't matter too much when I started.

End of day 2
I tested positive for Covid and I’m isolating from the rest of the family. Bloody miserable. I actually feel pretty rough but sorry for myself enough to want to drink alcohol. I suppose the good thing about this timing is that I’ll recover from Covid quicker if my body isn’t busy dealing with booze.

Day 3 done. I was our earlier tonight and had a tomato juice and felt proud of myself!

Hello, sorry I'm late! Well done everyone. I did dry Feb and November last year and got so much done! I need to paint the kitchen so have decided dry Jan will help! Day 4 and we're on our way. Well done all of us.

Oh no, sorry to hear this @turnaroundtouchtheground. Hopefully you will be over the worst soon. I am sure alcohol would not have made you feel any better, so at least you have that.

Thanks @JaquiRussell for the recommendation of Sober Dave. I watched one of his videos this evening and found it interesting. Not sure I could handle an hour every night though! I guess it is a distraction.

End of day 2 for me and I have a massive headache. Off to bed for an early night - back to work tomorrow

Anyone starting tomorrow?

I see Jan being that grim, that I couldn't bear to start a moment before the BH was over!

On it tomorrow tho!

@Candied. Your story is very inspirational