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!

Morning. Thanks for the welcome @HPLikecraft

@Poppy209 is that app free to use? I like the idea of a app to tick off each day.

@BellaCriesAndThatsAlright I've never had pomegranate juice before. Your drink does sound refreshing.

My plan for today is to make a list of non alcohol drinks to buy. So far I have water, cranberry juice and fresh orange. Oh and lime cordial. Will have a look at flavours of teas also for hot drinks.

I didn't drink alcohol last night and won't be tonight. Feeling rubbish with cold/sinuses and don't want to drink when taking painkillers.

Lots of luck to everyone.

I would like to do this, been thinking about it for a while. Will do me the world of good not to have a wine when I've had a rubbish day!!

Im in. It's my birthday in early Jan so may have to have a quick divert but really need to make 2024 the year I lose about 4 stone before I hit 50 and this is a start. For non alcoholic alternatives I go for the fancy flavoured tonics with ice and slice of pink grapefruit. The no alcohol brewdog beers are good too if it's more that sort of occasion.

I’m in! Have done it before but not the last couple of years as was doing a huge renovation project and although wasn’t drinking THAT much, wasn’t in the right headspace to give it up. But now… my new massive renovation project is ME!

Actually trying to make huge changes to prepare for a much less boozy life in general as alcohol just makes me anxious and jittery all week - even if I’ve just had a few units at the weekend. The problem is that I live in quite a boozy place where a lot of socialising theoretically revolves around alcohol. BUT, in the last year I have really noticed how many people who claim to be big drinkers actually drive quite a lot. And have hobbies. And interests. Basically am hoping to join their ranks.

thanks for starting this. I’m totally up for DJ, never done it before but have done other dry periods when I think my drinking is getting a bit out of control (which it has this month).

Something I like is Elderflower cordial and soda or lemonade with some mint and a slice lemon and lime.

Hello, long time lurker and I've joined for this! I always scoffed at Dry January ("why do people give things up when it's cold/dark etc and we need comfort?!") but that was to hide the fact that I am alcohol dependent. I have a long family history that is entangled with alcohol, and the amount of headspace it takes up is really difficult to cope with at times.

In recent years I have tried to tell myself that wine (and knitting/film/book) on a weekend is much more sophisticated and acceptable than going out, but it's become a different kind of habit. When socialising I constantly look to see how much everyone else has left in their glass, whether I am 'too tipsy', and the shame the next day is really difficult to deal with, on top of an anxiety disorder.

I don't want to give it up entirely, but I'd like to change my relationship with alcohol, and break the cycle. My skin, mental health and bank balance all need improvement too!

Hi RainDrops……the app is free. It’s yellow with a teacup and cocktail umbrella symbol. You can switch between seeing how many units you’ve drunk/how many AF days you’ve had and track spending/saving.
AF drink recommendation from me is a nice tall glass of non alcoholic Martini (actually made by Martini) and tonic with ice and a slice of orange. There are 2 versions…. I prefer the red/vibrante one over the white one. It’s the only thing I’ve found that’s not overly sweet or a substitute that just doesn’t taste quite “right”. Available from some supermarkets 😉

I did it a few years ago and felt better for it, so up for a repeat.

Yep, I’m up for it and so is DH - he’s hoping to do dry February as well. We both drink far too much and need to reset (again!). I’m starting tonight as I’m hungover and I know I don’t sleep for the first few nights, so want to get that out of the way before going back to work. The 2-3 week point is always a danger zone for me, so I’ll need a lot of support then. Thanks for the thread, OP.

I see a few people have mentioned the try dry app, is that the best one?

I've been drinking almost every night this week and not enjoying it, why do I do it?! I'm actually looking forward to the 1st just to have a break from it .

I think the Try Dry app is OK. It's the only one I've used, and having to check in, even to an app, helps to keep one focused on the goal...
that said, I usually don't bother. I think OP'ing on the DJ threads keeps me on the straight and narrow! I'd hate to check in one day and have to 'fess up to falling off the wagon!

As we're already making AF drinks recommendations I'd like to let the beer drinkers know that Becks Blue is, IMHO, the best AF beer. I've never found an AF wine I've liked, they're always too sweet. If anyone comes across one that isn't, please let me know!

Yeah, I'm in. Over a couple of decades have gone from a bottle a night and no nights off to a couple of beers on Saturday night if I can be bothered. Indulged mildly over the hols so joining to see if I can actually do it for a month.

Now, about the mince pie habit....😂

Little bump for the Friday evening crowd

No newcomers this evening!

Just two more days, folks, buckle up...

I really need to commit to something like this. My drinking has been bad of late.

I'm frightened but I'm in.

I'm in. I did a dry May and June last year and felt great. I am getting into the mindset of dry Jan now (not dry but gearing myself up). If you focus on what you're gaining (better sleep, less anxiety, more energy etc) it's a more positive experience rather and once the first week and weekend are done it becomes easier.

I'm in. Never done it before. Need a break from drinking as it creeps up.

Am in! Have been on the thread the last two years - it really does help. My skin is rubbish at the moment - rubbish food and too much alcohol. Dry Jan should sort that out.🤞

I'm in. I've downloaded the app. Loving the sound of some of the drinks. Also the idea of accountability is a good thing for me.
See you tomorrow. Party tonight 🤦‍♀️

My drinking has shot right up in December. It has been commented on by my family this Christmas. I feel rubbish.
Cannot wait for DJ this will be my third year and is a lifesaver. It usually has me moderating my drinking by at least a half until April when it slow creeps up.

Joining! Did it last year & found the thread so helpful. Have slipped back into bad habits though & have completely over indulged in December so am hoping DJ will help me reset! I may start on Jan 3rd though as OH and I have a special date day on 2nd Jan

@HPLikecraft I agree about the wine...I've tried a couple of reds for those times when you don't want cold and fizzy but they're awful. I tried a brilliant non alcoholic cocktail last night, lime, fresh ginger, chilli (tiny little bits) and tonic. Had a real kick. As for beer, Becks blue is ok but the Brewdog ones are better I think.

I'm doing it for the first time this year. I don't usually due to my birthday in Jan but I did 6 weeks before Xmas alcohol free and I felt so much better for it. Other than the Xmas works do, I've not gone mad over Xmas either.

I'm not a heavy drinker, 2 glasses of wine on a Fri and Sat only but it has been a regular thing without fail for years and a habit I need to get out of. DH barely drinks, was tee total for a few years, it doesn't bother him.

I'm in. I've done it before and find it really beneficial. Hopefully not too difficult although DH doesn't do it so that's not helpful.