DRY JANUARY 2024! 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!

DJ threads are 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 7th year of DJ and I swear it has made all the difference to me. It was so hard first time, but it has definitely 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 DJ2024 Wagon creaks to a start in just 5 days! Join us!

Thanks, love a freixinet & prefer cava to prosecco so might consider trying this 😊 nearly day 6 of DJ👍

Day 5 done and dusted! My first AF Friday in years, feeling proud of myself and everyone else on here 👏👏

Anyone else struggling and arguing with themselves?

Yes, this was me from about 3pm onwards. I'll just have a beer, not wine. What if I get low alcohol wine? What's the point of working all week then just coming home and sitting on the couch doing nothing? I don't smoke or eat crap, why can't I have this one treat?

I'm telling myself that's its just the cravings whispering in my ear and not actually me. Christ, this is hard.

Today was definitely the first day I felt the craving.
I've had a Trip CBD drink thing and a AF beer and 4 olives (trying to curb snacking hence the 4).

The burgers were a big hit and DS demolished his.

We watched a show in bed and I'm about to brush my teeth. DH is already asleep next to me.
Definitely a very rock and roll night here ha!

I am surprisingly tired though - maybe as DC woke up earlier than expected this morning.

V long day at work has helped me today, got home late, very dehydrated as so busy all day and have downed 4 pints of water. Maybe this is the way through this, overtime on a Friday night

Very busy day, didn’t get home until half eight. Thought I might want a drink but all I wanted to do was flop and watch The Traitors! I was thirsty too so have been drinking water. Got a birthday party tomorrow afternoon (grown up not kids) which would be a challenge except I’ve got a work call afterwards so couldn’t drink anyway!

Huge cravings right now. Stressy day at work, badly need warm fuzzies Please send willpower!

Get to Morrisons and buy their free from mini caterpillar cakes. My vegan daughter thinks these are the perfect chocolate cake treat - they are fab and I don't usually eat 'comic' food.

Checking in, day five ticked off. Let's see how the weekend goes, I don't expect any challenge's. Still waiting for that feel good factor, I'm hoping for a great nights sleep tonight!

Just a sleepy tea for me rock n roll Friday eh?? I dropped DS at the pub and went to tescos eyeing up Gordon's zero gin but bought myself flowers instead as tree down today and place looks so bare!! Well done everyone 😘

Ticked today off on the app. It's been OK

Maybe try drinking a pint of water in case dehydration is causing you to feel tension or make the work tension worse? And then blast some music (headphones as it’s late) and have a bit of a kitchen disco to help you decompress?

I agree! I love normal peroni. Was feeing a bit miserable this evening without any alcohol so have had a couple of bottles of this. It’s actually quite drinkable. I will get some more for next weekend or try that alcohol free fizz!

Have an ice cold can of Coke. Always does it for me!

Good idea - I've just made myself a large vitamin drink! I'm quite tired so I think I will have an early night and read in bed for a bit. I'm glad there is no wine in the house as I don't think I'd have resisted. There is beer but I don't find that as hard to resist because it doesn't give me the same 'hit' as wine. Really shows how addicted I am that I think in such terms, but it must be at least 80% psychological because I don't get cravings on weeknights.

Well done everyone, stay strong! I am out doing my rounds of teenage drop-offs, so no more temptation for me. Quite looking forward to bed now, followed by hopefully feeling bright and happy in the morning.

Friday done 👍. Glass of fruit juice, then a good old cup of tea 👍.

Bring on Saturday 😎

👋 Hey. Been lurking here and thankful to have made it through day five. Didn't want to post earlier as thought it might be tempting fate. Not worrying what I eat or drink as long as it's not boozy.
Best thing about being AF for me is the sense of order being sober brings to the mornings after. A clean house, everything tidied away before before bed - lovely. Very meditative and healing.
Oh God. Hope I haven't jinxed it with that because today was tough.

Day 5 finished here. Off to bed. Hope others have restful nights.

Day 5 safely done and dusted here too. It was a boring evening and a real mental struggle, but now that I’m in bed, I’m glad I managed to stay dry.

Day 5 done, had a lovely afternoon tea with a couple of friends and then hit Sainsbury's. Found some Nozeco for 3 quid so thought I may as well give it a go. It's bloody lovely! Have shared the bottle with DP and looking forward to the first hangover-free Saturday morning in aeons.

Well done everyone 😊 My cravings have thankfully passed and I'm looking forward to a decent night's sleep and waking up without a hangover.

Also, I'm very jealous of all those that can have a cup of tea before bed. You must have bladders of steel.

Day five done, dinner out and didn’t touch a drop. Not feeling f any benefits at all though, I think my body is still trying to work out what’s going on!

I got through it 😇 ⭐️. I had a mini spa night pamper and feel much better now.

Yeah, I'm not sure my 4 pints of water this evening is going to improve tonight's sleep!!!