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 🙂

Help! I’m struggling today. Had a really stressful couple of days at work and feel very anxious. I’m not sure ginger cordial is going to cut it tonight! 🙁

@TheElusivePotato - would an AF beer do the trick? They taste almost identical to the real thing, whereas AF wine and gin so don't.

@TheElusivePotato

You'll likely feel guilty and regretful later if you do drink; so it would be only be a temporary relief. Can you try AF beer? Go for a walk? Have a chat with a friend on the phone/online?
Is there something funny or gripping - a film or TV program - that you've been saving to watch that you watch tonight?

Whatever you do, take it a bit at a time. Get through the next hour, then the next.

I hope you feel better soon.

@TheElusivePotato

Help! I’m struggling today. Had a really stressful couple of days at work and feel very anxious. I’m not sure ginger cordial is going to cut it tonight! 🙁

Distraction is key. Don't go near anywhere you can buy alcohol from but try and do something to distract yourself, even if it's really simple like tidying out a drawer.

@TheElusivePotato last year when I really struggled I went for a walk, headphones in and listened to a podcast. 'S. Town' is utterly brilliant if you've not heard it. Walk fast, head down (so not to spy any places where you can buy alcohol).
The craving will pass but I find it's best to do something, anything.
Good luck, you got this!

Buying alcohol is not the problem (I have tons of it at home). I will stick with it, but I feel miserable today. I’ll check in later when I get home.

@TheElusivePotato I'm sorry, I hope you feel a bit better when you get home.

@TheElusivePotato don't give in. Booze will make you feel worse. But no booze will make you feel great. Agree that distraction is the key. Watch TV. Eat crisps. Have a bath. Talk to us.

You can do it.

I also slept really badly last night and agree with @lunklitdays about meditation tracks. Especially the ones that feature rain drops - they are sooo annoying.

Doing ok here. There is a new drama on BBC tonight. Might give it ago but first have the horror of internet groceries. At least we have less people at home now due to uni exodus.

I'm struggling. Last couple of days have been trying. Still AF by the skin of my teeth.
Dry January is such a good idea until 6 pm when the switch in my brain flips.
About to have more chocolate

When I'm struggling I just go to bed, 7.30, same time as the kids. I just go to bed and read. Feel it's a cop out but it helps.

By the way, Erdinger Alcohol Free Neely discovered, quite nice. Also Beaver Town Lazy Crush. Both in Sainsbury's.

*newly obvs. Good for lager drinkers.

Hang in there, everyone!

I am getting quite into herbal tea in the evening. Exciting times! I like chamomile, peppermint and the Pukka night-time tea. Any other recommendations?

Thanks for the beer recommendations @honestogod. I like AF beer too. DH tried Lucky Saint and Brooklyn, as recommended on here. I also think Aldi's Saint Etienne is quite good and it's only 89p! Had one of those after a Beck's Blue and much preferred Aldi.

Thanks all. I got home ready to hibernate with chocolate in front of the TV but I forgot MIL was coming for dinner! I poured her a wine, but I stayed on the ginger ale and plastered on a fake smile. MIL is lovely but I wasn’t in the mood for small talk tonight. Anyway, I’m through the danger zone and that’s the end of day 12. This is the furthest I’ve ever got before, so I’m pleased I made it. Let’s hope tomorrow is less stressful.

Evening all, DH has gone out to hockey training and I'm turning in to read my new book. Feeling pleased to have another day ticked off.

Hi everyone. I feel really down tonight. I just feel dreadful, life is all too much right now. I am not drinking though!

Keep on keeping on everyone 👏

Hi! I could have easily caved tonight in reward for a mega full on day at work. I was a bit grumpy earlier especially when DH got MY gin from cupboard and made himself a g&t grrrrr
I'm okay now and proud of myself!
Day 11 penguins!!!! Well done all xx

Evening all. I've been for a swim (an actual swim and not just a chill in the jacuzzi 😀). I think I'm feeling more energetic and motivated but I'm still struggling to doze off before 12 and so I feel drowsy when my alarm goes off at 7.

Sorry you are feeling dreadful @vinoandbrie. I hope tomorrow is a brighter day, and at least you will know you won't be hungover and will be better able to handle it

Well done for coping with surprise guests @TheElusivePotato. As a total introvert, I think that would send me to the wine faster than anything!

@FanGirlX I was supposed to go for a swim tonight, but after a day of meetings I just couldn't be bothered. Now I feel jealous! Maybe tomorrow...

I'm still caning the chocolate. When will the sugar urge pass or do I need cold Turkey on that too?!
Still. Am very chuffed at 11 days. Longest stretch in ages

Day 11 completed! In bed now. Bit of a struggle today but I’ve made it! Bring on day 12!

Thank you @ColouringPencils that’s kind.

Hope you get your swim tomorrow and thoroughly enjoy it!

Evening all
Sorry to hear some of you have struggled today. I felt like that on Friday till Monday after a stressful time on Friday. I would have loved to have reached for the wine but I'm so glad I didn't. I have the try dry app and I'm not having a day off because I want to keep ticking off the app. My longest steak is 88 days but that was start of lockdown 2020 and I was on duty every night so couldn't drink.