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Original poster

DRY JANUARY 2023! Been overindulging? Drinking crept up? Want to begin a healthy new you? This way please. All welcome!

992 replies

HPLikecraft · 28/12/2022 20:17

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 sixth year of DJ and I swear it may have saved my life; 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. Everyone welcome 🙂☕️🧃

The DJ2022 Wagon creaks to a start in just 4 days, but always stops for latecomers 🙂

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Greatly · 03/01/2023 09:24

freshstart2023 · 03/01/2023 09:21

Sorry, posted too soon!

I think the first 48 hours are deemed the worst from a withdrawal point of view, and I've made it through those with no major symptoms. I will keep an eye on things just in case, but I'm already feeling better physically than I have in months.

Great!

I'm only on day 2 but usually take a few days break weekly anyway.

Couldn't get to sleep last night. I know that will settle in a few days. Keeping physically active during the day helps.

paulmccartneysbagel · 03/01/2023 09:38

cashmerecardigans · 03/01/2023 09:12

I wish I could bottle the feeling in the morning after not drinking the night before. It's not necessarily that I feel physically amazing, but the lack of shame/sense of achievement I feel for not having not drunk the night before is fabulous.

I'm not sure what's happened this year but it's like a switch has been flicked and I'm focused on the positive benefits for my body, rather than the negatives of what I can't have. Not at all sure it'll last but I'm making the most of it whilst it does.

Oh yes I know what you mean, I felt great this morning. Maybe it's in my head but the skin on my face felt much better - plump and moistures rather than dry.

Here's to another day!

Stickywhitelovepiss · 03/01/2023 09:39

Christ - I slept like the dead. 10 1/2 hours solid, which is unheard of for me!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General food
Teacupjunkie · 03/01/2023 09:39

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ as requested by the OP.

Stickywhitelovepiss · 03/01/2023 09:47

Weirdly, I am a vivid dreamer at the best of times - but not the last couple of nights.

Hedjwitch · 03/01/2023 09:52

Into Day 3. Has previously been a wobble time for me as I feel the need to "reward" myself for being good for 2 days. DH away tonight too so another time I would enjoy a peaceful evening with wine.

But, back to work tomorrow so long bath and pampering tonight( no glass of gin on the side of the bath) and yet another early night in bed with book. I can do this

Teacupjunkie · 03/01/2023 10:03

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ as requested by the OP.

KatieKline · 03/01/2023 10:30

Did not sleep well - took 45 mins to fall asleep, slept deeply but vivid dreams all night, must have woken up at least 5 times in the night - so feeling pretty tired today and back at work too - boo!

Determined not to break! 45th Birthday is coming up too this week 😣

Original poster
HPLikecraft · 03/01/2023 10:48

freshstart2023 · 03/01/2023 09:18

I wish I could bottle the feeling in the morning after not drinking the night before. It's not necessarily that I feel physically amazing, but the lack of shame/sense of achievement I feel for not having not drunk the night before is fabulous.

I feel the same - it is fabulous. Could it be worth writing down how you feel and reading it back to yourself in the evenings if/when you feel tempted by a drink? I might give that a go.

What an excellent idea @freshstart2023 !

OP posts:
thenightsky · 03/01/2023 10:57

sleekitbeastie · 03/01/2023 08:04

Slept a bit better last night, but up to the loo three(!) times - which is not like me. Anyone else weeing like a horse!? Could it be some kind of fluid retention issue?

Yes, me! I was up every 2 to 3 hours in the night for a pee.

KeyboardplayerXXX · 03/01/2023 11:07

I'm joining you all!
I've done DJ for the past three years.
I'm the same as many of you - vivid dreams and up for a wee every 2 hours.
Good luck whether you're abstaining or cutting down.

Original poster
HPLikecraft · 03/01/2023 11:07

@MeinKraft welcome aboard (love the name).

I meant to say earlier, after 2.5 Hours of binge watching TV I got bored and switched to Duolingo which I must say was very engaging and distracting and required my full attention. Didn't think about booze once 😌

OP posts:
Fuwari · 03/01/2023 11:09

Obviously it’s great if people can just stop drinking, it is the ideal. But I did read that it’s not so much the amount/type of drinks, but just some individuals suffer withdrawal worse than others. And I was living alone last time I tried going cold turkey and the effects scared me so much. I was shaking, feeling really dizzy, sick etc and I worried that if I had a seizure or something no one would know. I am alone most of the time now too so for me personally I just feel safer cutting down more slowly.

I know it doesn’t work for everyone. As some have said, it can be harder than abstaining completely. But it is a method that also worked for me for smoking. I am measuring out exactly the amounts I’m “allowed” and I can actually be quite disciplined if I am really focused on something. Knowing this thread will be going for the month helps a lot. I don’t want to end up slinking off because I cheated! So it does make me more determined.

I’m tired of being a “slave” to alcohol. Only accepting evening invites if I know alcohol will be available. Counting down to when I can pour that first glass. I barely drank between the ages of 25 and 45. Special events only. But then I got into an abusive relationship and turned to alcohol to cope. But that relationship ended 3 years ago now so it’s time to stop the drinking.

tothefareast80 · 03/01/2023 12:54

Day one done (started late due to holiday) and I slept so well last night. Always do when I don't drink but also sleep well when I do drink so it's not always the motivator that it should be. Difference was that I got up early and exercised this morning and it's been a while since I've done that! Looking forward to the next few days but under no illusion that my willpower is weak. Hope everyone else is doing ok.

Greatly · 03/01/2023 13:38

Fuwari · 03/01/2023 11:09

Obviously it’s great if people can just stop drinking, it is the ideal. But I did read that it’s not so much the amount/type of drinks, but just some individuals suffer withdrawal worse than others. And I was living alone last time I tried going cold turkey and the effects scared me so much. I was shaking, feeling really dizzy, sick etc and I worried that if I had a seizure or something no one would know. I am alone most of the time now too so for me personally I just feel safer cutting down more slowly.

I know it doesn’t work for everyone. As some have said, it can be harder than abstaining completely. But it is a method that also worked for me for smoking. I am measuring out exactly the amounts I’m “allowed” and I can actually be quite disciplined if I am really focused on something. Knowing this thread will be going for the month helps a lot. I don’t want to end up slinking off because I cheated! So it does make me more determined.

I’m tired of being a “slave” to alcohol. Only accepting evening invites if I know alcohol will be available. Counting down to when I can pour that first glass. I barely drank between the ages of 25 and 45. Special events only. But then I got into an abusive relationship and turned to alcohol to cope. But that relationship ended 3 years ago now so it’s time to stop the drinking.

Sorry to bang on - but that level of withdrawal is not great - you should perhaps speak to a gp. I really hope that cutting down works for you!

Greatly · 03/01/2023 13:41

I know it doesn’t work for everyone. As some have said, it can be harder than abstaining completely.

This is not true. Abstaining completely requires a huge level of commitment and determination. I'm sorry but this comment minimises the the effort and emotional pain behind becoming sober. I've heard all these excuses many times before from people who are not ready to confront their problem drinking.

Fuwari · 03/01/2023 13:44

It's OK. I am being careful and if I do get any significant symptoms like before then yes definitely I will speak to the GP (I would say I'd see them but that seems impossible!). I do feel fine today so will continue on as planned and see how it goes.

Fuwari · 03/01/2023 13:46

OK harder was a poor choice of word. I meant more of a temptation as in someone said upthread it wouldn't work for them as they'd just want to drink more.

I feel like you're really angry at me. I am just trying to do this. I'm not here to upset or try to provoke anyone.

Greatly · 03/01/2023 14:04

Fuwari · 03/01/2023 13:46

OK harder was a poor choice of word. I meant more of a temptation as in someone said upthread it wouldn't work for them as they'd just want to drink more.

I feel like you're really angry at me. I am just trying to do this. I'm not here to upset or try to provoke anyone.

I'm not angry. I'm sorry if I sounded harsh. I want you to succeed and I really hope that you will.

Veryfishy · 03/01/2023 14:05

Just realised that I’m the one that has been cheating ! ( idiot )
Had a coffee and a slice of Christmas cake , tastes lovely , because it soaked in ruddy brandy isn’t it
Will be cut up and in freezer shortly ( the cake , not me )

StickyCricket · 03/01/2023 14:43

I slept better last night in terms of quantity, I must have got about 8 hours, but I was awake a few times so I don’t think the quality was great.

Woke up horrendously anxious this morning from the moment I opened my eyes, I think related to starting back at work today. I’m done for the day now and feel much calmer.

Today and tomorrow will be ok for me not drinking. I don’t normally drink at the start of the week, it’s once I get to Wednesday and feel like half the working week is done that I start to justify opening a bottle of wine.

I’m planning a nice bath, a Horlicks and Silent Witness for tonight. I’d started a good book yesterday but it’s a real page turner and I didn’t think it was helpful for my anxiety levels Grin so had to download a different one last night.

Stickywhitelovepiss · 03/01/2023 14:58

Just reading The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober off the back of a recommendation on this thread - further recommendations very welcome!

Thought: A lot of the conventional wisdom out there is about addicts in denial (as my ex-DH most certainly was and is). While not anything like on the same scale, I am acutely aware of exactly what and how much I drink, the long-term consequences of doing so, and what I need to do about it now, to make sure it doesn't become a problem in future.

I suppose I'm idly wondering whether there is a difference between a 'conscious' addict and one in 'denial' - or are you just reaching the same end with a greater degree of awareness?

WaxingGibbon · 03/01/2023 15:07

Hope everyone's doing well today.

My news is I took from the fridge two glasses of wine that I'd left in there over Xmas 'for later' and poured both down the sink. No way could I have ever seen myself doing that before this week. There's still some leftover wine and Prosecco from NY in the fridge door I need to get rid of. I don't know why I haven't done that yet.

I'm surprised to actually be finding this week ok because I'm so excited about the idea of being healthy. I think I might find the second half of January harder, once the novelty wears off.

frostyfours · 03/01/2023 15:19

StickyCricket · 03/01/2023 14:43

I slept better last night in terms of quantity, I must have got about 8 hours, but I was awake a few times so I don’t think the quality was great.

Woke up horrendously anxious this morning from the moment I opened my eyes, I think related to starting back at work today. I’m done for the day now and feel much calmer.

Today and tomorrow will be ok for me not drinking. I don’t normally drink at the start of the week, it’s once I get to Wednesday and feel like half the working week is done that I start to justify opening a bottle of wine.

I’m planning a nice bath, a Horlicks and Silent Witness for tonight. I’d started a good book yesterday but it’s a real page turner and I didn’t think it was helpful for my anxiety levels Grin so had to download a different one last night.

What book please? I need a page turner!

Soberjan · 03/01/2023 15:47

Hi all hope you are all well. I just had some random detox tea I had in the cupboard with honey was ok but now I crave sugar a lot...don't want to get bigger than I am right now!!!

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