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Original poster

DRY Another Day! Dry January 2025 thread #2.

180 replies

TheYeaSayer · 23/01/2025 08:59

Here it is folks, let’s carry on keeping it dry.

Are we there yet?
Nearly… there is a little pinprick of light at the end of the tunnel.

We can do this! 💪💪

OP posts:
Fordian · 27/01/2025 15:57

@Addictforanex re: 'very high risk drinker', I hear you. I absolutely do not wish to minimise or dismiss the harm alcohol does. We are all aware of people who are permanently drunk, just to function, for example, people who do actually drink a bottle of vodka a day; etc.

But I really don't think the labelling of '2 wines a night' as 'very high risk' is helpful, nor is the assumption that if you drink that much you are a hopeless addict, unable to ever control your drinking again, thus you must quit.

I completely understand 'the authorities' advocating this absolutist stance, like the arbitrary '14 units a week', but it doesn't really reflect the reality of how many of us choose to drink.

newme2025 · 27/01/2025 18:28

Had a stressful day at work and naturally am thinking about wine. I won’t drink now because it’s so close to the end, but I can’t say I’m not tempted.

Olinguito · 27/01/2025 18:45

I'm very pleased to have got this far, but I am looking forward to a nice glass of red wine come February! I still haven't seen any great health benefits or weight loss, but I wasn't a particularly heavy drinker before this. I just really wanted to see if I had the willpower to go without alcohol, especially after reading about its carcinogenic properties. I think I'll continue to drink moderately after this, but probably even less than before.

Fancytrike · 27/01/2025 21:59

Like others, I haven’t really felt loads of benefits apart from initially. I did feel much better first 10 days or so (drying out?! 🫣). Now I am just very tired indeed. Have lost a bit of flab round the middle but no idea how as I can't stop eating. I do look a bit better I suppose, face is less bloated and skin clear.

I suppose if I were to sum it up I’d say marginally better physically (except for being so tired) and a bit depressed.

Sorry to be a downer, I started so well! Proved I could do it though and could keep going, not really bothered about drinking. Perhaps drinking was masking how I feel these days - tired (did I mention I was tired?!) and a bit down. Not drinking hasn’t cheered me up, so might need a bit of a life revamp…

Fundays12 · 27/01/2025 22:14

newme2025 · 26/01/2025 09:05

Thank you @Addictforanex ! That means a lot 🙏 Everyone on the thread has done so well. There’s no way I could have got this far without the thread as well, it’s really kept me accountable, so big thanks to the OP for starting it.

Day 26. Can’t believe I’m typing that! I scrolled back to my first post on this thread on January 1st, and it’s quite an eye opener. Because I haven’t had a hangover for a while now, I think I’m guilty of forgetting how bad alcohol can make you feel:

Joining the Dry January crew feeling hungover after New Year’s Eve celebrations yesterday. My drinking has got way out of control in recent years and I think 2024 was my worst year ever. I’ve been regularly drinking a bottle of wine a day, sometimes more. I feel sluggish, bloated, irritable, depressed, exhausted and generally just awful. I’m signing up to DJ because I want a fresh start and to reset my relationship with alcohol.

Show quote history

Amazing well done that's a fantastic achievement 👏

Fundays12 · 27/01/2025 22:22

Day 30 for me. My skin looks much better and the money I saved on booze I have treated myself to a micro needling treatment. It's not the most relaxing but it definitely has got rid of some fine lines. I have also booked myself a microdermobrasian for the end of Feb as I am planning a dry Feb to. I just hope I manage it but if not I will certainly have saved loads on alcohol as the only tricky day I may have is valentine's night. It wouldn't be a heavy night anyway. My skin looks better and less bloated. I have lost about 4 pounds but I haven't been able to work out as I had the horrible virus on the go at Christmas and am still exhausted. At least I know it's not alcohol causing it. I think DJ has given me a huge eye opener as to how many units I was drinking a week (between 24 to 28 on average) which is far to much.

Fordian · 27/01/2025 22:45

@Fancytrike yeah, I'm kind of the same. I know I needed to cut right back, that I was drinking too much but I haven't really seen a massive improvement!

I don't feel vastly different, really. Same weight; and it'd take a miracle to uplift my post-60 skin! And yes, a bit flat and bored.

But I needed to see that I could stop. I've had about three close calls over 27 days, but I didn't cave; and I'm planning on doing Damp Feb! If I don't succeed in moderation I need to stop; that's a motivator in itself!

AlertCat · 28/01/2025 06:20

I’m also really tired, even though I’m sleeping well and getting 7.5-8 hours. I’m wondering if it’s seasonal/hibernation.

Castlerigg · 28/01/2025 07:12

Interesting to reflect on how the month has been. I'm only 1-2 lbs down, which is disappointing as I haven't been too bad for sugary stuff. Skin is ok, but have had a few of those horrible spots that are really deep, and hurt!

I am enjoying waking up clearer-headed, but I am still not falling asleep very easily.

I still haven't drunk my AF Kylie wine. I haven't felt "at risk" enough to crack open pretend wine. I hope this means my resolve will continue into February.

Eatinpeachesonthebeaches · 28/01/2025 08:00

Thanks to whoever recommended those Trip drinks. They are lovely.

newme2025 · 28/01/2025 08:10

Thanks @Fundays12 - same to you! I like your idea of spending the money you’ve saved on something to make you feel even better. I’m considering buying a few new clothes as I haven’t been able to afford it for ages.

Day 28. If we don’t drink today that’ll be four whole weeks without alcohol. And only four more days of DJ too - can’t believe it. I’m so proud of getting this far and am feeling excited but apprehensive about the end of the month. We’re seeing DH’s family at the weekend and they are quite big drinkers. Part of me is thinking, I’ve got through several social situations sober now, why not just do it again? On the other hand, I know it’ll be hard work (social situations are to me) and I feel I’ve earned a glass of wine.

newme2025 · 28/01/2025 08:53

Skin is ok, but have had a few of those horrible spots that are really deep, and hurt!

I also have a few painful spots! I always thought my skin issues were down to alcohol, but clearly not. I’m going to try Sudocrem or toothpaste on them and see if that works.

LindorDoubleChoc · 28/01/2025 08:55

Morning everyone. Can't pretend I'm not looking forward in some ways to the end of dry January but I'm definitely looking forward to damp February if others are going to stick around for a thread?

I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that the Martini alcohol free aperitivos (I have tried Vibrante and Floreale) have been the highlight of my DJ and I'll continue to buy them as treat drinks. I seem to still need something other than tea or water to power me through the cooking dinner hours. I don't drink tea later in the day anyway because of the caffeine.

The major benefit for me has been not feeling so sleepy in the evenings and staying awake until long after 10pm. Otherwise there's no difference in how I look or feel, no weight loss, no uplift in slightly melancholy seasonal mood. I'm sure my liver is grateful though - and the bank account which is a good thing as it was severely depleted by Christmas and DD's January birthday.

Bring on day 28! We're nearly there, well done everyone 😇

Fordian · 28/01/2025 10:13

@Castlerigg and @newme2025

Careful, you'll have some evangelical along telling you your outbreak of spots is down to the toxins of alcohol leaving your body- 4 weeks later 🤭

flipent · 28/01/2025 10:21

I'm away with work tomorrow - second trip in DJ. I am not counting down the days to Feb - but I am feeling the call of the wine tomorrow already!

I don't know what about this trip is triggering the desire this time...!

Fancytrike · 28/01/2025 18:32

Any AF gin recommendations please? Am liking the Tanqueray (£10 on offer) but before I order another for damp Feb I wondered if anyone had any recommendations. Thanks

newme2025 · 28/01/2025 18:39

Most stressful day yet at work this month. Feeling quite low and worried. Would love to open a bottle of red and drown my sorrows. I can’t give in now though with so few days to go.

Fordian · 28/01/2025 19:21

Nearly there,@newme2025!

I'm bored with it all right now, but I know I must not return to my previous levels, so I have to be disciplined, going forward!

I do need to be mindful about if my tolerance will have changed after a month! I'll go easy on Friday evening! Going to watch US traitors with a nice glass of dry white, a £20 bottle.

I then plan on allowing myself to drink on Saturday evening. Not thinking any further ahead.

Addictforanex · 28/01/2025 20:22

Friday will be very tempting but I aim to hold out until Saturday!

Nothungrycat · 28/01/2025 20:53

I've got high blood pressure, which is controlled by medication, but seemed a bit on the high side before Christmas. After nearly a month of DJ (with the one weekend blip), it has nudged down slightly and I have just had a message back from the health centre saying that 'your average reading was within the target range'. That's definitely motivation for continuing with Damp February, and then Damp March....

Fordian · 28/01/2025 21:25

Addictforanex · 28/01/2025 20:22

Friday will be very tempting but I aim to hold out until Saturday!

Well done! I ought to as well, really! 🤭

AndThereSheGoes · 28/01/2025 21:33

Well done all.
I never do dry January because it's exactly the sort of month that benefits from alcohol.

However I love to do Lent as it's a) longer (40 days) and b) in Spring when I naturally feel like a kick start.
This year though Lent starts in March and goes on through the Easter school holidays which is my time off. So very conflicted. I think I might do 40 days starting Feb 3rd as I'm away all weekend and go through to March 13th. So might join a dry Feb thread if there's one.

newme2025 · 28/01/2025 21:34

Addictforanex · 28/01/2025 20:22

Friday will be very tempting but I aim to hold out until Saturday!

This! My sole motivation on Friday will be knowing that if I get through one more night, I'll officially be able to say I completed DJ. I do wish 1st February was a day earlier though!

@Nothungrycat great achievement, well done.

newme2025 · 28/01/2025 21:40

Also just remembered - I’m in bed now so that’s day 28 done… and FOUR WHOLE WEEKS without alcohol! Must admit it does feel great to have got the year off to such a positive start.

Bobbybobbins · 28/01/2025 21:46

I have been doing dry January for the first time and definitely ready for a little drink on Saturday. My DH has also done it, he generally drinks more than me but this year has really worked on moderating his drinking and we've generally managed 2 nights drinking a week rather than the 4 we had crept up to.