DRY JANUARY 2025! Join us for a healthier start to the year! All welcome 🥤☕️🧋

[HPLikecraft]

It’s that time of year again!
If you need a detox, to lose weight, to be healthier, to undo some seasonal overindulgence, to sleep better, to look better, to have healthier skin, to save money, boost liver function, improve your memory, or to decrease your likelihood of dying earlier of various nasty illnesses (sorry for the sudden hard ball!) then you’ve come to the right place!

The MN DJ2025 Chat thread is for anyone who wants to reset their relationship with alcohol; whether you’re a weekend tippler or a problem heavier drinker.
This is a friendly, non-judgmental thread where we support and encourage each other, exchange ideas and information, share alcohol-free drinks recommendations etc.

Hopefully we’ll have some fun along the way. Please hop aboard the good ship DJ 2025, everyone welcome!

Hey, welcome aboard DJ2025 everyone!

Whatever your starting point, whatever your reason for doing DJ, and whatever your longer term plan, it's good to have you along.

I can't remember if this is the 5th or 6th Dry January that I've OPed, but my reason for doing so is that I was a very problem drinker when I stumbled across a DJ thread on Chat 7 or so years ago and decided to join. It's probably not an exaggeration to say it saved my life, so I picked up the baton when I didn't see a thread the following year. I'm no longer a problem drinker, though I do need to be careful and keep control.

Looking forward to getting to know you all.
And time to start stocking upon your favourite AF drinks! 🚰🥤🧃🥛🧉

@HPLikecraft one question I have- I don't want to be teetotal but I do want to moderate dramatically... 'How' do you drink when it's not a dry month, if you don't mind me asking?

Has anyone found a good AF drink? Best beer I have found is the Guinness 0, but I haven’t come close to finding a nice substitute for wine. Do I just have to stick to tea?

@AlertCat

I quite like some of the no alcohol proseccos, like Belle & Co and Kylie Minogue (fairly sure I didn't dream that one...) I haven't found an alternative red or white that I enjoy, unfortunately.

Thanks, I will give those a try

I think I will try this. During perimenopause my migraines became debilitating and, as a result, I only drank a very occasional glass of wine for years. For the last two years a new medication has got my migraines under control but now my drinking has gradually increased and I think I am now sometimes drinking from habit or to be sociable and not because I really want to.
I feel as though I have lost touch with my own feelings about alcohol. I have been exercising more lately but it's a struggle sometimes and I wonder whether I might be more motivated/less sluggish if I had skipped the wine. Maybe a dry month will help?

After many years of doing dry months etc. I now have much better control, so aim to drink only at the weekend. Sometimes it's hard, but I can often get through the evening without even thinking about or missing booze!
It has taken a while to get here though, and on holiday etc. I'll drink a bit more.

I'm going to do it but have 2 days in the month where I will be drinking but I'll compensate with an extra 2 weeks in feb. Does that still work?

Count me in @HPLikecraft - will be starting on the 2nd as family celebration on the 1st 👍

I'm in, if we're allowed a night or two off for good behaviour. I just want a single tot of whisky on Burns Night - I've done dry jan for years and always feel a bit sad to miss out on that little ritual so said to DH this year I will skip a night.

And DS and his partner will be with us for a goodbye dinner before they head back abroad where they live. I'd like to toast them.

But other than that I want 28 totally dry days - just sparkling water and cordials and lots of herb teas.

Can I join you anyway? (please)

I would like to join please. Like many others, I'm sick of drinking and I always take it too far. I want to clear my head and not waste days feeling lazy and hungover.

I've got quite a clear diary apart from a friends 40th on the 11th (we are doing an escape room then food and drinks) but she is pregnant so I can stay sober with her whilst the others get boozy! Let's hope I can do it!!

Yes, of course. This is a non-judgemental support thread, use it as you wish. 28 dry days in a month is still a pretty good achievement!

And welcome to all other newcomers... nice to have you along 🙂

Sounds good to me!

👋 starting on the 2nd and finishing on the 30th, so nearly a month 😀
This year I’m determined not to replace alcohol with sickly, sweet alternatives. No mocktails! AF beer allowed as it tastes ok and I can only ever manage one.

Don't forget to post your favourite AF drinks recommendations, everyone.

For beer, I always favour Beck's Blue, but I'm still waiting to find that delicious alcohol free wine.... it's proving to be rather elusive!

I can NEVER find a nice AF wine, they all taste vile. Happy to get some recommendations if anyone has some.

My usual drink is wine, I think I’ll have some soda and lime, blackcurrant and soda etc instead during DJ.

I once tried an AF Gin and it was revolting. So not even going to attempt it in DJ.

I've just ordered a nice looking sparkling tea in a bottle which looks a bit like prosecco. Hopefully I can trick the brain and drink it out of a champagne flute and it will hit the spot I'm looking for.

I'll join you. I drink far too much and it has such a knock on affect to so many other parts of my life. I have a big holiday coming up in February and so I really wants to use January to stay off all alcohol and also eat a lot healthier. These two go hand in hand, i.e if i have a drink out comes the snacks and chocs) so for me I'm hoping to see a big improvement.

Hi all. I'd like to join. It will be my second dry jan. I'm looking forward to it after the festivities. Looking to lose weight so looking at my food also. Thank you xx

Thanks for starting this thread - I'm in!

I feel like R this stage in the festive period I'm equal parts cheese, wine and After Eights so definitely need a reset!

I’m in !

Hi - joining in! I downloaded the app earlier and am aiming for at least three dry days every week this year.

I love the Corona zero alcohol, also fizzy flavoured water and tea.

I'm in! The thread was a lifesaver last year.

I’m in! Never managed it before (this says a lot in itself) so could use the support, ideas for drinks for that 7pm Friday moment etc. Looking forward to proper sleep!