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

[HPLikecraft]

Thread#2...

Let's keep going!

I'm reading about triggers that make people feel like an extra few other than their usual & for me other than my usual Friday Saturday. I don't usually give in but I've realised one of my triggers is this random and unnecessary feeling of dread. There is absolutely no reason I can think of for this other than it happens. It's not like it's every day or that often but it can take a an hour or so to settle. Can anyone else relate? 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️

Well, would you believe it?
The end of Day 14 means we are now....

45%

Of the way through. Keep the faith 👊

@Giveandtaketime , yes I can relate... it's a horrible feeling, and alcohol definitely helps take the edge off (up to a point).

Have you tried the CBD drinks (Goodrays / Trip) as an alternative? I think they do have a calming effect, and possibly there isn't the same rebound effect when they wear off, as there is with alcohol, because they don't impact the GABA / Glutamate balance in the brain.

Thanks, you always think your the only one in those situations. I might think about the drinks but admit I'm kind of scared of anything to do with relaxants or stimulants for fear of heart racing eg I can't take anything containing ephedrine, even nasal drops, yet I'm not afraid of white wine & it can sometimes do the same the next day, all chemical & hormonal related with me.

I have been eating much better since starting DJ but seeing a good loss on the scales is motivating me to continue as the lack of alcohol is helping to curb my late night munchies.

@Giveandtaketime im also super sensitive to products with ephedrine. I’d rather suffer a bad cold than suffer the side effects of heart racing and anxiety etc. I’ve had quite a few cans of trip in recent months and for me there is absolutely nothing in common between the two and no side effects.
At the moment my go to drink is pukka peace tea and/or camomile.

. placemarking.... at day 13 AF.

Well I'm back from my weekend away staying solo in the pub. It wasn't a pleasure trip, and in fact was pretty stressful but I managed it AF despite the ready availability of alcohol so I'm pleased with myself for that.
I am feeling sluggish today though owing to having missed gym and yoga and all the sitting about that I've done. It was a sedentary couple of days. Healthy eating went somewhat pear-shaped too
So, back to the gym later, and plan to catch up on my missed yoga sessions. It's going to be a good day!
Well done everyone on making it this far despite all the difficulties that life throws at us
I do keep reminding myself that when life is tough alcohol is not a solution but just another thing to have to deal with...

I do wonder how much of the pregnancy 'glow' was just being AF!

Sorry all: i am very late to the thread, but may I join?

Absolutely, it's never too late to begin an AF month. All the best with it.

Thanks so much! I have just been drinking way too much; it’s crept up and up and I want to knock it on the head for the sake of my sanity and my health. I have a stone to lose; I lost 1.5lb last week when I ate healthily and didn’t have any booze Sunday- Thursday - but over weekend, it went to pot a bit and I binged last night and feel awful this morning.

Hoping to use this thread for companionship and motivation.

@Piglet89 welcome! If you haven't yet downloaded it, I'd recommend the Dry January App. It's quite motivational to see the dry days mount up.

Busy weekend with kids' birthdays etc, so I haven't been on here as much, but still dry and continuing to feel all the benefits. Clearer head and just feeling so much more positive about life. I think the weather probably plays a part too (give me cold over rain any day), but I'm definitely experiencing less anxiety.

Enjoying reading The Sober Diaries so thank you for that recommendation. I don't think I was as far down the track as Clare Pooley was when she quit the wine, but heading in that direction for sure so it's given me some real food for thought.

Sorry for those of you that are facing real life challenges. I hope things get easier for you. 🌻

@disappearingfish thank you: have just downloaded Try Dry app.

Welcome @Piglet89 , you've come to the right place for support and encouragement.

Some of us are thinking of carrying on into February, so it's absolutely not too late to join, and hopefully this thread (or a similar one) will continue.

Suggest looking back at @wellitywellness 's posts for links to her blogs, which are entertaining as well as educational.

I fell off the wagon on Saturday night when a gig I was at ran out of AF beer so I had a glass of wine, and then another. Just two... but I felt really rough next day. That was eye opening. Made me not want to feel that way. I told DH after DJ is over, I want not to drink at home during the week. He pulled a face then said it was probably a good idea.

That’s telling that they ran out isn’t it? Appreciate maybe they didn’t have much but still sign of how many are doing this.

thanks for sharing how you felt too, sorry to hear but it’s a good insight. Will remember your story if I am on the edge!

Checking in as well. Still feeling shitty, still writing blog! Today is another meaty topic, namely the causes / models of addiction. I thought it was an interesting topic at any rate...

https://wellitywellness.com/2024/01/15/dry-january-15-causes-of-addiction/

Rough day, had a panic attack yesterday (no idea why) and today was the hangover. Feeling morose and emotional today. Took refuge in hot cross buns and tea. I'm not even thinking about alcohol now.

Oh that's rough MrsDanvers. I'm sorry that happened. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, but was it out of the blue or have you had them before?

When I've had them it was somehow a great comfort to me to remind myself that it was my body doing it's thing (albeit getting it wrong) rather than me going nuts.

Day 19 AF for me. I'm having a can of M&S pineapple and passion fruit sparkling water which is nice and best of all has no artificial sweeteners.

I've had a shitter of a day. I knew beforehand that it would be hard, but it was a lot easier to get through than it would have been had I been drinking to ease my anxiety last night as the shitty day loomed.

Usually a shitty day would require a medicinal G&T or 4 at the end. Instead, here I am, drinking elderflower tonic and looking forward to a nice hot shower, an early night and a less shitty day tomorrow.

Day 15 done! Well done everyone, especially those of you who are having even shittier days than mine.

Well i decided to have a few drinks over my big birthday weekend and had a lovely 60th.
The challenge was always going to be if I could get back on it again afterwards so pleased to be AF today. Day 12 for me out of 15.

Glad you had a nice birthday Hedjwitch

Day 15 done...

Enjoying a relaxing day before busier days later in the week. Had some redbush tea then a Goodrays before dinner, which I am getting used to and finding more drinkable than I did at first. Aiming for an early night with chamomile and a crossword. Looking forward to the arrival of the ON Beer tomorrow 😊.