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DRY HARD 2: DRY HARDER! Dry January 2024, Thread#2 🧃🧋

992 replies

HPLikecraft · 10/01/2024 20:51

Thread#2...

Let's keep going!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
48
afaloren · 14/01/2024 10:09

Hello, I’m still in. Seeing some friends this week who we tend to drink with but they’re doing DJ too! Hurrah. We have all
pledged not to be bad influences on each other.

DH was away this weekend which was tempting but we both stuck to it (even though DH probably had more temptations than me because out for meals etc) and I’m feeling proud. The halfway point is within reach!

MeinKraft · 14/01/2024 10:33

@LindorDoubleChoc sorry for the loss of your mum. My mum died in July and she had significant alcohol problems too...it makes grieving complex, makes dry jan complex too Flowers

DJer24 · 14/01/2024 10:37

Loving your posts, thanks Wellity! Off to see if I still have my copy of Drink!

Neptunium93 · 14/01/2024 10:41

ShufflingAlong · 14/01/2024 06:13

Did a bit of research on the relative benefits of a 6 week break vs a month off, and I'm thinking it might be worth it, especially as I didn't do DJ last year.

@Neptunium93 can you summarise what the benefits are?

I was mostly focused on the liver and brain, so there may well be other tangible benefits from an extra two weeks (blood pressure and so on), but in summary, the liver and brain are described as 'starting to recover' after a month in most articles, whereas after 6 weeks the changes seem to be more significant....

For example, after 4 weeks (according to the Very Well Mind site), after 4 weeks the brain begins to repair itself and abstainers will start to feel less anxious (as some on this thread have already found). But after 6 weeks, brain volume has been shown to increase by 2%. I'm a bit of a data nerd, so putting a number on something is quite an incentive for me to continue - hopefully my skull is large enough to accommodate a larger brain!

Regarding the liver, inflammation and fat levels start to decrease after a few weeks, and enzyme levels begin to normalise. After 6 weeks, fat levels have decreased significantly and liver function and metabolism have improved.

The key factor is previous consumption. I think for those who were not drinking too heavily before, then a month is enough, but in my case I have had at least one, and more often than not, two 175ml glasses of wine every day since I last did DJ in 2021. I'd not really noticed any bad effects from this level of consumption, but that doesn't make it OK. I want to make sure I get as much benefit as possible, and also it might be easier to establish new habits after a slightly longer break.

Onwards to week 3... good luck everyone, stay strong 😊

ShufflingAlong · 14/01/2024 11:12

@Neptunium93 thanks for the info. 6 weeks would take me to the 9th February and I suspect my liver would thank me for it. Something to consider.

Crochetpenguin · 14/01/2024 11:21

Haven't posted on here since day 1. Still af and not really missed it. Thinking of continuing until Valentine's. DH had a whisky last night and the smell of that on his breath all night made me feel quite ill. Just need to reduce the new diet coke and crisps addiction now.

didthecrowseatchoccy · 14/01/2024 11:48

HPLikecraft · 13/01/2024 19:00

Saturday night. Homemade pizza normally comes with a nice cold beer accompaniment. Well, it still will, but 0%. I'll try to love it!

I see people are now thinking ahead beyond January now. It's interesting to see that having done almost half of DJ is informing that choice: a decision made late December would likely have looked quite different.
I've put on tons of weight recently, so am planning to stay AF until my birthday on the last day of February. Thereafter moderation. Hopefully.

Have a good evening, people of The Alcohol Resistance.

We share a birthday @HPLikecraft. I'm also thinking of stretching til then, and this year it's an extra day so surely whatever happens doesn't count!

Neptunium93 · 14/01/2024 11:58

For anyone not signed up to the DJ emails from Alcohol Change, there is a 20% discount code available for the Dry Drinker site: DDDRYJAN.

I'm not a beer drinker generally but I have ordered some of the ON Beer in my continuing search for enjoyable AF drinks that have some kind of effect similar to alcohol. Will report back.

december2020 · 14/01/2024 12:57

Checking in!

I'm still wondering what is the best approach for me once February hits. Whether to set myself a weekly amount (like 2 bottles of wine) and it's up to me how I space them out during the week, or to set myself a certain amount of AF free days per week/per month to make sure I definitely have days with zero alcohol.

Currently with a small coffee psyching myself up for my first run in forever! It's 4C here!

I've found DJ has me snacking and eating less. Maybe partially as I don't feel so sluggish as I used to, but also part of our drinking routine was to sit up with snacks or a takeaway. DH is having a bit of a takeaway reset so with DJ and that combined we've ended up on a strange health kick.

HollyGolightly4 · 14/01/2024 15:21

Please can someone offer ideas- walking home from roast at in laws and husband wants to go to the pub. I'm quite happy to, but god I want a wine. What can I have instead?! I don't know if they have any alcohol free ones.

DJ24 · 14/01/2024 15:23

HollyGolightly4 · 14/01/2024 15:21

Please can someone offer ideas- walking home from roast at in laws and husband wants to go to the pub. I'm quite happy to, but god I want a wine. What can I have instead?! I don't know if they have any alcohol free ones.

Does the pub do coffee?

december2020 · 14/01/2024 15:30

@HollyGolightly4 a tonic water or alcohol free beer? Or a coke ?

december2020 · 14/01/2024 15:34

Holy Toledo!
I went for my run and ran 5k!
I haven't run for 3 or so months and probably haven't run 5k for a long time (usually run 3-4k and hit a block) and run very sporadically.
I'm sure there are lots of factors involved but I like to think DJ has been a big factor too!

HollyGolightly4 · 14/01/2024 15:46

Thanks @december2020 ! I don't like tonic or beer 🤣 but coke could be a classic!

december2020 · 14/01/2024 15:49

@HollyGolightly4 oo oo how about a ginger beer or ginger ale?

Giveandtaketime · 14/01/2024 15:53

MeinKraft · 11/01/2024 08:09

Morning everyone! It's been a challenging week here, DH has been unwell and grumpy with it but it's also been a learning opportunity that I just can't let someone else's mood affect me to the point where I'm going for a glass of wine!

I'm on day 15 and I've been falling asleep at 8pm every night the past few nights whatever that is about. Might pop round to Holland and Barrett later and get a few cans of Trip. I've been avoiding AF stuff so far because I worry it could be triggering.

Interesting you've mentioned 'someone else's moods sending you for a glass of wine. This happens to me especially if I'm angry with friends or relatives negativity. I'm a Friday Saturday bottle of white drinker over a period of hours with food. Thankfully I dont like spirits. Unit wise its more or less within guidelines but still not good for you. I'm succeeding in DJ and my aim is to stop all temptations to have that extra midweek drink which had started to happen due to bereavements etc. Many people say they don't see the point of DJ if you return to the same old habits. I totally disagree with this as not only are you giving your body a rest from wine, it helps you realise the positive effects gained from not over indulging. It also lowers your tolerance so your less inclined to drink more, at least thats what I find.

HollyGolightly4 · 14/01/2024 16:12

@december2020 I went for ginger ale in the end!! Delicious 😋. Thank you for your suggestions - it really helped me!

Neptunium93 · 14/01/2024 16:12

Well done @december2020 , that's brilliant 👏! I suspect it probably is DJ making a difference. I just walked really fast up a steep hill for 20 minutes and it felt like no effort at all. My energy levels had been lower than normal, but I feel like I'm through that phase, and I could quite easily have run up the hill (though I didn't as I feel silly running in normal clothes!).

ralpix · 14/01/2024 16:18

HollyGolightly4 · 14/01/2024 15:21

Please can someone offer ideas- walking home from roast at in laws and husband wants to go to the pub. I'm quite happy to, but god I want a wine. What can I have instead?! I don't know if they have any alcohol free ones.

alcohol free gin and tonic is good

Numberfish · 14/01/2024 16:19

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ANiceBigCupOfTea · 14/01/2024 16:20

I've just seen this thread but still going strong here ❤️
Its freezing here in Belfast and I've just made a lovely pasta bake and I did feel a little 'aww a wee glass of wine would go great with this' but I'm determined to see it through

ParsnipAndPoppy · 14/01/2024 16:22

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Thanks for hopping on to brighten everyone’s day @Numberfish , you have a good one now won’t you 😎

ANiceBigCupOfTea · 14/01/2024 16:23

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Well you're a delight aren't you

Numberfish · 14/01/2024 16:24

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