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 🙂

@Theghostofchristmasarse

So your DD has a privately obtained diagnosis of ASD now? Have you passed this info onto the GP and school? Does your DD manage in school OK or does she have or need support?
I'd return to the GP if I were you and ask again for help and/or a referral to CAMHS, especially now as you have DX. I'm afraid it's often the case that you have to make a nuisance of yourself to get what you need.
My DD needed a specialist psychiatrist's help and drugs to control her violent behaviour, but is doing fine now. I also found - still do - that the longer she spent on a screen, the worse her behaviour came. Limiting your DDs time on screens may possibly help.

Also, because you have a DX now you may be entitled to Disability Living Allowance for your DD.

Still peeing like a racehorse 😂. Maybe that's where the 2lbs has gone.

Although, tbf, I'm drinking more hydrating drinks in the evenings - at least 2 big mugs of herbal tea and 1-2 glasses of posh squash.

@mbosnz

What's your favourite Mr Fitz? I enjoyed the bramley apple and elderflower with sparkling water last night. I've just had a hot sour cherry, grape and hibiscus. Liked both so far. Still got another two to try.

I'm liking the change in view from deprivation to gain. I don't need wine and I value time and energy. Why wouldn't I want to make the right choice?

I just need to break rhe association of weekend and alcohol

The centre of a penguin huddle seems like a lovely place to be right now. Possibly a little fishy, but cosy and safe!

For those feeling deprived of alcohol, last Dry Jan I read Catherine Grey's Unexpected Joy of Being Sober, which I thought was quite good. It does start off with her alcoholism journey, but then has more of a focus on the benefits of being alcohol free. It made me feel more optimistic anyway

i just need to break rhe association of weekend and alcohol

Me too. I manage Dry January, Dry July and Ocsober every year but soon slip back into drinking on a Friday and Saturday evening. I'm trying to work out my triggers (although my triggers don't trigger me when I'm challenging myself to a dry month) and reading up on brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin - so reading up on how to replace the feeling alcohol provides.

@HPLikecraft thank you so much for the advice. Yes, private diagnosis, although Its complicated as they felt she could benefit from an ADOS assessment to pin down the diagnosis more, as although in the first one, which wasn't so in depth, they felt she met all criteria, she masks so well that there was more going on with her. They've worded it to say that she meets all diagnostic criteria for ASD diagnosis, but that an ADOS assessment is advised. That's 900 quid though 😭

For now we are (well, the ex is) paying for private counseling to work on her self esteem (we've had issues such as her wanting her pronouns to be 'it', trying to fit in with friends by saying she's trans, and not dealing with puberty well) and helping her to cope with meltdowns, hopefully some ways of dealing with the violence. She always goes for me, last night she followed me around the house, biting, hitting me in the face with shoes..it's so hard as she's a big girl, she's strong. I hadn't even considered we might get DLA, I assumed she wasn't severe enough 🤷 I'm speaking to the GP next week, it's been a nightmare as they are so dismissive. They also diagnosed dyspraxia and she still bedwets, so I need to tackle that. Her rages are worse just before her period, so a week or so of the month this is my life. It's harder this month as her dad has covid so they won't see him for a week or so, although my parents bless them are having the kids tonight so I can still go to a theatre show I had booked, I'm excited, ithink I'm going to try a mocktail or two at dinner.

Woke up with a banging headache and did not sleep well at all, what's that about!?!

Morning all - Day 8 here as well and can I say to anyone finding it hard - it gets much easier with practice. I've done a few DJs and the first one I could hardly get past Day 4. Fridays and Saturdays were always a struggle. So keep on keeping on - you can do it & don't go for the all or nothing - I've had one so I might just as well give up. Just congratulate yourself on how well you've done.

@space21 - mentioned being bored and I totally get this. I do think that being a parent involves a lot of boring stuff, not being able to do your own thing, having to deal with everyone else's stuff & a drink is a quick way of switching off from all of that. So when you can't do that - you have to just sit there with that uncomfortable bored feeling, which is no fun.

But boredom can be the mother of invention - I found that to be the case a few years ago when I did a whole 9 months without drinking. So I'm hoping all those uncomfrotable bored feelings will spur me on again to something more positive.

@wanderedlonely. I see your tomato purée and raise you:

• rescuing Chris evans and his kids from a sinking ferry/ flood (blaming monty Don Venice programme)
• did an emergency covid test drive with a poorly friend
• had another baby

-bought another dog

• did some highland dancing

IN ONE DREAM I'm bloody knackered but delighted to have done 7 whole days. 😊

Brought myself a fancy new lip gloss as a reward for making it through the first week.
Tried it at home and it’s got a coconut flavour! Reminds me of Malibu and coke! Mmmmmm. Better then buying food as a reward and now I have shiny lips.

@Cherrymix

Covid also does not help with the boredom factor!! Anyhow if you don’t mind, I am totally stealing “boredom is the mother of invention” as my motto for January!!!! So today as it’s raining buckets, me and the kids are going to make pasta! The machine is out of storage

I also ferry my kids around for sport on a Saturday morning and it was sooo chilled this morning! No rushing, no shouting and had time for breakfast!

How was the kombucha @HPLikecraft?

Day 7 here and sleeping well at last!

@CovidForChristmas

Brought myself a fancy new lip gloss as a reward for making it through the first week. Tried it at home and it’s got a coconut flavour! Reminds me of Malibu and coke! Mmmmmm. Better then buying food as a reward and now I have shiny lips.

Good idea. That sounds lovely.

Think I'll get myself a bunch of flowers as all the Christmas ones are starting to droop now. I fancy a bunch of bright, fresh Spring-like flowers.

Can I join you all? I've only just found you! I'm doing well so far, day 8 and determined. I'm finding it a bit easier than last year, which was my first, and torturous. I feel like I can handle it this year prob although I too am a bit down at the lack of anything to look forward to. Last year I ended up doing 35 days because of the mid week finish, and was really good in Feb, sticking to my units. Then the rest of the year went to shit. I really need that not to happen this year. No intention of giving up, but I need it to be under control. Is it okay for me to join late?

Hi @honestogod, of course! Join us!

It's interesting you say last year, your first time, was torturous but this year not so bad. It was the same for me. It just shows how time out like this can help break down a dependency/bad habit.

In short, DJ is fab!

I'm feeling sad again about a dry night ahead but I have bought St Etienne AF lager fo try and mum has given me a Moretti zero to try.
It'll be fine but I'm hoping I can do a more balanced way if drinking going forward

Waves @Cherrymix I remember doing Dry Jan with you a few years ago!

I am really loving the percentage updates 😀

I am super tired and also peeing a lot 😂but not finding it too hard really. I think your first Dry Jan is always hard as you don’t know if you’ll do it, or how you’ll cope! But when you have one behind you there’s an air of familiarity about it.

Waves at @TheZeppo! Do I remember you being a teacher or was that someone else? This year have got a DC doing A Levels so full on rubbish for them as still no idea whether exams are on or off. I salute any teachers on here who have had to cope with 2 years of Covid.

Agree @space21 re Covid boredom factor. Plus dark evenings don't help - they seem to go on forever. At least in the summer if am feeling bored I can go out for a walk or mooch about in the garden.

Home made pasta sounds yummy - ravioli type stuff or just shapes/ spaghetti? Perfect for a rainy day and without the booze you won't be feeling too knackered to clear up all the mess either.

We are attempting a new Xmas board game this evening - definately will be more able to enjoy the inevitable fallings out/ rules confusion without a glass of wine.

Off now to prepare curry dinner ....

Snuggle up penguins.

Finding it hard today. Crabby as hell, homesick, and the weather is sending both me and the cat round the twist.

Saturday night looms large. Face it with the focus, clarity and strength that only comes from a sober mind.

After all, by the end of today - day 8 - we will be 25.8% of the way through.

25.8%!!!
More than a quarter. That's a pretty pleasing statistic, I'm sure you'll agree.

Looking forward to my curry and Mr Fitzpatrick's.

25% !!! That is HUGE! Well done everyone.
Pasta making was messy but fun - just spaghetti but the kids enjoyed winding the machine. Still yet to do the taste test.
So far no cravings tonight but I am restless. Christmas Tree is down and kitchen cleaned so I guess that's a bonus toward a lazy Sunday...

It's only day 6 for me but it's my first dry Saturday since last DJ

Saturday is "wine" day come rain or shine so I'm quite proud of my resolve so far.

I had a few things that didn't come with the shopping so I had to run out to the supermarket. I didn't go anywhere near the wine aisle, just incase

I've ordered us takeout pizza tonight as I feel like I deserve a wee treat (not cooking / fresh pizza from local Italian is definitely a treat)

Am 3lbs down in 6 days without any changes to diet but I am incredibly fat so I can easily shift a stone in DJ without it making any difference at all. That is another reason I'm looking to do 100 days. To see if I can continue the weight loss.

Am I the only one who doesn't go for AF alternatives? When I'm not drinking I try to break the habit completely so other than a chamomile tea (and water) I don't drink anything as a replacement for wine.

If I go out - and I try not to in the very early days whilst I'm readjusting - I just opt for fizzy drinks.

I'm feeling quite liberated not drinking tonight and can't wait to get us all out for a long canal walk first thing tomorrow.... its been very wet here so we've been in today.

@Cherrymix yep, that’s me! Past two years have been strange in the classroom (to say the least)!

25% is awesome!

I am trying to lower my processed food/ carb intake too. LowER carb rather than low 😂

Doing ok for a Saturday night!

Hello everyone

I've been reading along and thought I'd hop on and say hi.

I do Dry January every year..it's the only time of year I quite easily stop my one habit. The last few months my drinking has been off the chart..not unusual for OH and I to chug through 3 bottles of wine just at home on a Friday night.

My mental health has been terrible..I've been on AD's for 8 years and so the whole drinking to excess thing is utterly absurd as I feel so bloody awful after a big drinking session..not just physically but mentally, and with 2 young DC's it just isn't worth it. The AD's bring me up and then I pull myself down again with booze..so very stupid and destructive.

I love wine..I really really love it, but it doesn't love me, and I'm apparently incapable of just having a glass or two with a meal or at a social occasion..I have to have the whole bottle..and then probably some more.

I'm fatter and more haggard than I've ever been.

So..will get to the end of the month and then look to carrying on. I'm not ruling out ever drinking again, but I need to change my habits.

OH is just as bad, he's doing DJ with me which is great. He is fatter than he has ever been too. He turns 50 at the end of this year and knows he needs to shape up.

Anyhoo..well done to all here..I'm on the Fevertree tonic water this evening, which I love. Particularly recommend the Aromatic flavoured one.

The novelty of waking up not feeling like complete dogs hit still hasn't worn off, so onward and upward!