Dry Another Day! February beckons. Dry January (and beyond?) Thread 2. All welcome.

[HPLikecraft]

Ah, there you are little dry pingywings. 🐧🐧🐧

Shiny new thread. I've swept the berg and we're good to go. Hop on.

@Mikey555 that’s one of the things I like about the dry app. I can see quite quickly what days I had alcohol and as it’s not many I can add up my totals.

I’d love to get through March dry. That will take me to 5 days out of 3 months. That would be a massive achievement for me.

I’ll find Saturday night difficult as I’m going out for a meal with a friend and I would normally have a lot of wine (as will they). I’m planning on reading my list of reasons why I don’t want to drink before I go.

@50DaysAF I would tell your friend in advance of the day of the meal that you are taking a month off drinking and so they are aware beforehand. That way you won't feel guilty for springing it in them or tempted if they've ordered a bottle of in preparation for your arrival to share. Takes the pressure of you sitting face to face and telling them, seeing their reaction etc.
Day 60 today and feeling so much better for it, now if the weight loss could get on with it like it did in the early weeks of January it'd be great 🤣

Well done on 60 days @JaquiRussell

Telling them before probably reduces the risk of me drinking but if I’m being brutally honest I’m worried they will cancel it’s a friend who loves to drink and whilst in previous times I would happily down a bottle on a night out whether the other person was drinking a juice or wine this person won’t.

I’m probably being out of order but I haven’t seen them in ages and if they cancel I’ll be disappointed.

@50DaysAF can't you say that you are on really strong antibiotics for a gum infection?
I had to take them once and the dentist said I would be violently ill if I drank on them.
Little white lie but takes away the guilt of not joining in with drinking and that way your friend maybe more understanding?

I almost forgot to think about not drinking tomorrow... Progress!

I have been on antibiotics myself and generally feeling v run-down, so I don't think I will miss it too much.
Sending strength and will-power to all of us who need it tomorrow

Today will be day 7 if I get through it or 58/63.
I say if because I been craving white wine most of the week.
Thank you for the will power @ColouringPencils I think I’m going to need it. I think the thing that may save me is my desire for good sleep. This morning I woke up after a good nights sleep and just don’t want that horrible early wake up with a fuzzy head tomorrow.
I’ll keep repeating that over and over.

The stupid thing is, I’m not even going out tonight. I just want wine.

How are you doing @Mikey555? You must be on day 7 too?

Also wanted to say one of the things stopping me from drinking tonight is my username

Yes @50DaysAF day 7 for me today! Haven't been too bad this week. Been having early nights and going for walks.
I did crave the other day but the thought of my promise to my son got me through it.
I'm trying to lose weight too so that helps me to not drink.
Definitely feeling more clear headed and my mood is brighter.
Good luck tonight. Remember "Nobody wakes up in the morning wishing they had drunk the night before".

Thanks @Mikey555. That promise was a good move!

My DC are too young to realise or understand. I’ve never been one to drink every night but it’s knowing my limits… i just don’t want to stop. It would be nice to either get this under control or stop completely before they are old enough to see their mum drunk

I just seem to have one of those all or nothing personalities. It’s very tiring constantly fighting those feelings. Hopefully another long stint AF will help get those emotions under control again.

Good luck tonight.

Hi all

Well done to those of you smashing it!

I went to stay with MIL and didn’t drink even though she had bought wine for me.

Got back yesterday and had two glasses last night. Finding it pretty easy now to just have one or two glasses which I think is what they call moderate drinking. Never thought I’d see the day!

It’s partly due to the medication I’m taking. It has slowed my digestion down and I feel queasy if I drink more than a glass or two. It’s also exacerbated my facial flushing from wine. My face goes really red and hot and it is bloody uncomfortable.

Day 20 for me today (dry 57/64). Feeling a bit bored to be honest?

I'm fine being dry as long as I don't do anything . I still don't feel like I could socialise without drinking. I go to bed early each night, I read, I am sleeping better etc but I feel like if I deviate from this routine I'll struggle.

Day times are fine. I've met friends for lunch / walks / coffee but each time I have drunk in Jan and Feb, it was socially in the evening (barring early Jan. That was just pure greed and we were polishing off all the left over wine before starting DJ on the 3rd)

Obviously I'm not planning to stay at home forever and I actually don't want to drink but yeah I feel that even something like having my sister over this evening would lead to drinks (we usually do it a few times a months - drinks and a takeaway on a Saturday)

I feel like if my mindset isn't changing then I'm going to really struggle? I still feel like I'm 'missing out' even though I could write down at least 30 reasons I'm not.

I drank on Saturday night, went out for a meal and was all on for not drinking. Was in the restaurant all of 5 minutes before I'd changed my mind. I'm like you @Crunchymum, it's no bother not drinking when I'm home but the minute I go anywhere I'd have normally have a drink I can't not.
I had two glasses with my meal then a full bottle when I got home.
Felt hideous yesterday, another day wasted. I spent the day asking myself why I bothered but I will probably do it again.
I guess for me is that if I do drink maybe once a month it's a huge improvement. I'd just like to be able not too but my will power is completely shit.
Well done @Peridot1 being able to stop at two, although your reasons for doing so aren't nice, it's still great you can stop. Once I get the taste I'm done for!
So less new week and no intention to drink.

Good morning both. I’m going to move across to one of the alcohol support threads.

I did drink at the weekend. Not to excess but Friday and Saturday. On paper I moderate because I stop when I’ve finished the bottle but in reality I always want more. I find it incredibly hard to stop.
I just want a good clean break. I felt so good in January and yet this week I’m back to planning my next drink.

I think I could benefit from a more active group. I’ll obviously be checking back in here but for now I want to thank you all for your support in getting me to 61/68! Wish me luck going for the 50… I’m going to need it!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/alcohol_support/4461184-The-freedom-thread-continued-Riding-the-rollercoaster-of-an-alcohol-free-life

I’ve moved across to this thread. I’ve been honest that I’m not sure if I’m able to go for total abstinence at this point in time but I am going for 50 days and I’ll take it from there.

Completely understand. This group has definitely tailed off a bit but I suppose it’s understandable as it was initially for dry January.

Good luck!

I’m not sure where I’m at really! Drinking more than I’d like but stopping way earlier than before. Off to Dublin again on Friday so it will be easy to abstain other than social events.

I think I’m happy with that as I have discovered I can not drink day to day whereas previously I really didn’t think I could do that.

That’s an awesome place to be @Peridot1. Moderation has always been my aim but I think I need to face up to the fact that at the moment I just can’t.
I’m going for the 50 days and will see how I feel after that. Good luck to all!

Hi everyone, like you @50DaysAF I did drink last weekend.
Had some horrible news on Friday and used that as an excuse to drink then thought sod it and drunk on Saturday too.
I haven't had a drink all week though and had a particularly bad day yesterday but did not turn to the bottle. Just kept reminding myself how bad I would feel today if I did.

My son was ok, but I am going through difficulties with him at the moment. Usual teenage stuff but at 19 I really thought he had passed that phase??
The only saving Grace was I didn't argue with him when I had a drink. Just took myself off to bed.
Caring for elderly ill parents is also a strain at the moment and I'm not coping well.

But I'm going to take your advice and say I have been sober 12/14 days tomorrow.
Which is a massive achievement for me. But still not ideal.
I would love to not want to drink again. At the moment when I'm down it's the only thing stopping my thoughts from hurting. Good luck to everyone x

Hi @Mikey555! The thread I linked above is very supportive. I’m on day 7 or 63/70. I’m working hard to stay dry and I know I won’t drink this weekend because I’ve filled the mornings with activities.
I have found new determination. The first week is the time my skin starts to recover, my sleep improves and I feel the physical benefits so I know the motivation is there to continue.
It’s the second week and beyond that I struggle!

Good luck this weekend and keep tagging me with your updates. I’d love to hear how you are doing 😊

I've just joined that other thread.

I'm day 27 now (64/71 overall) and I'm aiming big. Ultimately total abstinence but I'm starting with 50 days and going from there.

I'd love to be able to moderate, but I can't (and I'm beginning to understand that there is a physiological reason for this).

I think we all need to find what works for us, what is sustainable.

I have no desire to drink but I still cannot envisage life AF... forever.