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Original poster

Old habits DRY hard! It's DRY JANUARY thread #2... newcomers always welcome!

938 replies

HPLikecraft · 11/01/2023 07:38

Here we are, a shiny new thread to help us stay dry.

Thread one has been great and supportive; and thread two will take us through further challenges and milestones. Hop aboard; you're all doing brilliantly!

OP posts:
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12
lemonsaretheonlyfruit · 18/01/2023 07:20

@Champagneforeveryone

I'm the same. I have an AF beer every night pretty much. I hasn't made me any more tempted to drink at all but as DJ marches on (ok well trundles on) I keep telling myself that I must have a few nights where I don't.

I am still succeeding at DJ which I am really pleased with but I still want to switch to no 'replacement'. I read everyone's recommendations for what they are drinking do now it's time to action it.

Wishing everyone a good day

Els1e · 18/01/2023 07:42

Met with a friend yesterday evening who I normally go through a couple bottles of wine with. We went out to local pub for curry night. Had Heineken zero as my AF drink. I was pleased I didn’t give up on AF but did feel a bit flat. I’m glad this morning though with my clear head and good nights sleep.

SeasonsBleatings · 18/01/2023 07:49

Morning all! I'm finding AF drinks are helping with my adjustment. I really haven't been tempted so far and these last couple of weeks have included many nights at home when DH has drunk loads, a walk to a pub for lunch, and a boozy (for them) dinner with friends. I reckon I am going to see how I feel in Feb but so far the benefits of not drinking massively outweigh the slight enjoyment at the time.

SqueakyDinosaur · 18/01/2023 08:58

To the poster who wants non-sugary drinks: tonic water with a dash of Angostura bitters is not sweet. And if you can track it down San Pellegrino Chinotto is rather like AF Campari and soda.

Mushroo · 18/01/2023 09:01

@SqueakyDinosaur thank you! adds to list

SqueakyDinosaur · 18/01/2023 09:04

If you can find some, it's worth trying other bitters as well - Fee Brothers Orange Bitters is (are??) delicious too. And Angostura with lime and soda is a good pub fallback.

Greatly · 18/01/2023 09:06

I don't bother much with AF drinks as they are expensive, but I do occasionally have a slimline tonic with bitters (although bitters are alcohol! So I've binned them for the last two weeks). AF beer is ok amd I really like the 0% Guinness but it makes me a bit windy!

freshstart2023 · 18/01/2023 09:06

I can't believe I've made it to the 18th without drinking. Well done everyone for getting this far, whether you've cut down or quit altogether. We're now 56% of the way there.

Now we're getting closer to the end I think the next 1.5 weeks could drag a bit - I've got to be careful I don't lose my focus before the 31st.

Hedjwitch · 18/01/2023 09:17

Tonic with Angostura is a good G & T replacement

lemonsaretheonlyfruit · 18/01/2023 09:56

Ok yes tonic and bitters sounds good thanks!

When I went for lunch on Sunday and my 2 friends had wine, I really noticed how long their wine lasted compared to how quickly I would had I been drinking. They both ordered a small glass and it lasted the whole lunch. I would have probably ordered a large and had 2!

It might be an element of keeping it more measured (both asked if I was on if they had wine - of course that was fine. I wouldn't want anyone changing their habits) but I don't think it was that. I just neck it too quickly!

Original poster
HPLikecraft · 18/01/2023 10:31

Morning all. Hope you're all feeling bright and well. Another day of healthy dryness awaits.

I'm not sleeping so well, but that's menopausal anxiety. I really must get back into exercise (beyond walking the dog) it really does make everything better. I sleep better, feel happier and more positive, and seem to be more able to eat better and avoid alcohol when I'm fitter. Maybe tomorrow 🙂.

Tonic and bitters? Delicious, but I take the lazy route: Fever Tree aromatic tonic is the same sort of thing. It's pink and tastes like tonic with angostura in it!

OP posts:
Greatly · 18/01/2023 10:32

lemonsaretheonlyfruit · 18/01/2023 09:56

Ok yes tonic and bitters sounds good thanks!

When I went for lunch on Sunday and my 2 friends had wine, I really noticed how long their wine lasted compared to how quickly I would had I been drinking. They both ordered a small glass and it lasted the whole lunch. I would have probably ordered a large and had 2!

It might be an element of keeping it more measured (both asked if I was on if they had wine - of course that was fine. I wouldn't want anyone changing their habits) but I don't think it was that. I just neck it too quickly!

I do this - chug it! I now order a pint of lime and soda as well as wine in pubs

lemonsaretheonlyfruit · 18/01/2023 13:00

@Greatly

Why don't I go that! So simple. I'll give it a go when I return to a pub for wine.

freshstart2023 · 18/01/2023 14:40

I'm struggling a bit today. DH and I have been invited out by another couple on Saturday and we'd normally all share a few bottles of wine. The thing is, having been to a few social occasions during DJ I've realised I just don't particularly enjoy them without wine - I find them quite draining. Wine is all part and parcel of a good night out for me.

Part of me is wondering whether I should just throw in the towel rather than missing out on the fun.

Champagneforeveryone · 18/01/2023 14:53

It's so tough isn't it freshstart?

How would you feel about giving yourself a free pass for the night? I'm that stubborn that I would try and wriggle out of going instead , but I acknowledge that's not really helping the issue.

What are your plans post DJ? I am seriously considering being all but AF (though realistically I would be amazed if it happened like that) so know that I will need to navigate occasions like this. I have been fine so far in the pub with AF alternatives so hope to build on this going forward. It may be something you need to get used to (don't get me wrong, I do still feel I'm missing out in some way)

Even if you have a night off then you can get straight back on it the next day. In fact, DH had a night off and commented how awful he felt after, this seems to have made his DJ slightly easier.

Fuwari · 18/01/2023 15:24

Thanks everyone 🙂You've all helped me get here, so thank you.

@freshstart2023
That's a tough situation. I think you have to balance up which outcome will make you feel worse, going without drinking, or giving yourself a pass but potentially feeling bad about it the next day. For me it would also depend how often you see these people, if it's very regular then you could just think, I'll drink next time, but if it's rarer then maybe not. I think if you do decide to drink then definitely tell yourself it is for that one night only and don't feel you've failed and give up on the rest of the month.

I'm feeling quite happy today, I do think my anti depressants are working so much better now. I also did an online grocery shop and didn't add any wine! That's another first in recent years.

freshstart2023 · 18/01/2023 15:41

Thanks so much for the excellent advice. Thinking about it, I suppose I'll be miserable whatever I do - if I go and drink, I'll have a good time in the moment but will no doubt regret it the next day because like @Champagneforeveryone said, I'm quite stubborn about finishing DJ for the first time in my life. If I don't drink (or just don't go) then I'll be miserable because I'll feel I'm missing out. So on balance, I suppose it's better to go with option two because at least I'll be miserable but still on track with DJ.

My plan after January is to have three nights off a week and moderate on the days I do drink. I'll obviously coincide my drinking days with seeing friends for nights out.

OneFrenchEgg · 18/01/2023 16:43

Part of me is wondering whether I should just throw in the towel rather than missing out on the fun.

I have something coming up this weekend and I feel a bit like this is part of a change in my attitude to alcohol? So I'm aiming to mix drinks with soft drinks - like two glasses wine max and coke or tonic as my 'if I crack' plan rather than try not to drink, give in at the last minute and drink loads.

Greatly · 18/01/2023 17:20

I'd be tempted too @freshstart2023

I've deliberately organised socialising for February

MeinKraft · 18/01/2023 17:46

freshstart2023 · 18/01/2023 14:40

I'm struggling a bit today. DH and I have been invited out by another couple on Saturday and we'd normally all share a few bottles of wine. The thing is, having been to a few social occasions during DJ I've realised I just don't particularly enjoy them without wine - I find them quite draining. Wine is all part and parcel of a good night out for me.

Part of me is wondering whether I should just throw in the towel rather than missing out on the fun.

I think I'd push it back a couple of weeks if possible? I am really looking forward to the 1st February now 😅

MeinKraft · 18/01/2023 17:48

lemonsaretheonlyfruit · 18/01/2023 09:56

Ok yes tonic and bitters sounds good thanks!

When I went for lunch on Sunday and my 2 friends had wine, I really noticed how long their wine lasted compared to how quickly I would had I been drinking. They both ordered a small glass and it lasted the whole lunch. I would have probably ordered a large and had 2!

It might be an element of keeping it more measured (both asked if I was on if they had wine - of course that was fine. I wouldn't want anyone changing their habits) but I don't think it was that. I just neck it too quickly!

I get this when out with friends. I actually get a bit agitated because I match my drinking with theirs so I don't look like a mad alcoholic but I've no chance of getting a buzz sipping one small glass of wine over an hour. I'm a glugger Blush

Hedjwitch · 18/01/2023 18:24

Soooo tempted tonight. Was going to stop at the shop and buy some AF beers but didnt trust myself not to buy wine.
Thought it was getting easier but it still catches me out. Grrrrr
Hanging on.

Onehappymam · 18/01/2023 20:01

I would have probably ordered a large and had 2! Same here @lemonsaretheonlyfruit! I throw a bottle of Prosecco over my neck as my warm up.

So far I have sailed through DJ (late start for me, so I’m on day 15).

I’ve had two weeks of great sleep, lots of energy and no cravings for booze, but yesterday and today I’ve felt really down.

Stopped in past the local garage on the way home from work for some snacks and all I could think about was how much I wanted a bottle of wine!

I’ve eaten my weight in crisps and chocolate instead. Hopefully this will pass, or I’ll have a long fortnight ahead of me.

Soberjan · 18/01/2023 20:47

Hi all, hope all is well. Just wondering if you guys have been out to parties and birthdays etc how have you coped with others getting drunk around you and loud and not suffering boredom??????

Selfesteem22 · 18/01/2023 21:06

Just have done different types of socialising - really and went to see a comedian but drove which was convenient