Damp Feb! For DJ survivors and Feb drink moderation fans!

[Fordian]

Hi Everyone who might be interested, a thread for anyone who wants an accountability check-in for their moderate Feb drinking!

I have got into a routine of an AF beer as I prepare dinner as that’s when I’m ‘gasping’ and most likely to have a glass of wine… but the only problem is I’m just not that into beer! I’ve tried having squash or a fizzy drink but I need a sort of savoury drink, iykwim?

how was the Noughty wine @Neptunium93?

There's a helpful review in the Guardian of various types of AF drinks for those searching for alternatives https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2025/feb/04/best-low-alcohol-non-alcoholic-drinks . Yesterday I finally got round to replacing the battery in my bathroom scales only to discover than I was considerably heavier than I'd imagined (although some of my clothes not fitting should have been a clue), so I'm now trying to be low alcohol and low calorie for the next couple of months. I've got two summer holidays planned and one of them involves wearing a swimming costume in front of friends, so there's lots of motivation.

Had a glass of wine whilst cooking dinner but wasn't that enamoured tbh and deffo didn't have the urge for a second so it went in the sauce!

@mynamechangemyrules , the Noughty wine was not bad at all. It had a nice acidity and enough complexity not to taste like grape juice, and it smelled like real wine. It worked better as an aperitif than with food, as it didn't quite 'cut through' like a regular wine - although the grape varieties could be a factor: it's a Chenin / Chardonnay blend, and I prefer Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.

NB although it's low sugar compared to many others, it still has more than twice the sugar content of a regular dry white wine, so I wouldn't want to drink too much of it, but overall it gets my vote - the first fake wine to do so!

I just wish some of the alternatives were cheaper, and also that there were more low sugar options.

Time for bed and chamomile tea. Happy to be ticking off another dry day as planned. 😀

Good morning. Glad to see how well everyone’s doing.

@Fordian I really recognise that “negotiation” headspace where I dan talk myself into a great reason why I need / deserve a drink. I stuck to my rule in January of 5 dry nights a week but I think I only managed that because DP was doing it too. If he’d been drinking on my dry days I know I would have caved.

Im doing dry February (after damp January) and I’ve seen a gratifying little movement on the scales this morning that is motivating me to plough on.

I'm planning to stay dry Monday to Thursday, and so far this week is going according to plan. It's helping that I've got loads of work to do, so there's not much of the evening left by the time I've finished.

Well done everyone.

@Nothungrycat thanks for sharing that article. Yikes £18.99 for the bottle of no alcohol fizz..

I’ve just realised I am out on Friday night with my booziest group of friends. Past nights out with this lot have turned into 2am nightclub finishes when all that was planned was dinner and a few drinks. Last time I went out with them was just before Xmas and it was my last truly terrible hangover and some aspects of the end of the night were a bit fuzzy to say the least. I need to think of a strategy …. (maybe zebra striping which was a new one on me from the above article!)

Morning.

Well, one thing I am getting heartily sick of is my sleep difficulties! Sleep was considerably worse during DJ, and is poor through my 'dry' days in Damp Feb. It's really annoying, sporadic sleep laced with hyper-realistic sometimes disturbing dreams, then constantly tired with dry, prickly eyes!

I wasn't expecting this.

@Fordian it usually takes me a few days of total abstinence for my sleep to resettle. I always dream a lot though when I’m dry. I like to think that’s because it’s real sleep, not just unconsciousness iykwim.

Morning all.

@Fordian , so sorry you're still having sleep problems. I think I read that it can take a while for insomnia to resolve in some cases, so hopefully it will work itself out before too long.

On an unrelated note, I see that MN has introduced a new Pay-or-Consent to Cookies model, and I am debating whether I want to maintain my account. My normal practice is not to accept cookies, and I'm not sure I use the site enough to justify a subscription. If I do suddenly disappear, that will be the reason. But I will try to hang on until the end of the month, as I really value this group, and it's great hearing how everyone is doing (along with those on the January thread).

It's a lovely day here today. Bit of a sore knee after overdoing the running, so will aim for a leisurely walk instead 😊.

My OH gets this, I wonder if it’s because the body’s out of the habit of getting into sleep on its own, without alcohol?

Have you tried magnesium glycinate? I've recommended it before. Or Sominex (otc sleep remedy).

Hi I am joining to. I was on DJ but am not doing very slight damp Feb. I am aiming to limit very much. I managed to do it really well last sat night and still feel ok the next day. My bloody tests came back recently as I have been unwell. Thankfully they showed good liver and kidney function. It makes me wonder what they would have been like in December.

Anyway I plan to carry on limiting my alcohol intake hugely. I enjoy wine which makes it tricky.

Hey DF’ers! (Sounds rude sorry!)

Joining in the soberish merriment!

DJ went so much better than I expected, if I’m honest I was truly worried I wouldn’t be able to do it, especially getting through weekends AF, which is something I haven’t done for 5 years I’d guess! In 2024 my drinking had definitely increased to circa 35-45 units a week and at least 10 units a time.

Don’t feel I can tell people irl just how happy I am with myself without making myself sound like I had a problem, so really enjoying reading everyone’s POV!

Drank Saturday 10.8 units across the day as we went away for the weekend and I found didn’t actually want it as it instantly bloated me…so it’s been easy to power through this week, although wine witch is calling me today oddly, I’m covering my ears so far…

My eldest's birthday today so took him out for a birthday g&t at lunchtime, but just had the one. Otherwise I'm back on the tea. Got a 'big night out' on Saturday but probably won't have much because I just don't like feeling bladdered!

I'm finding 'behaving' on my dry days harder than I thought! Which is ridiculous, having gone through DJ!

Is it the prohibition? If I tell myself I’m on a diet I immediately want to eat ALL THE FOOD.

Did you manage Fordian? I’ve been desperate for a glass today but realised I’m just knackered so I’m going to have a bath and get to bed…

Magnesium can help with sleep but too much will give you an upset stomach so be careful. Valerian is a good herbal remedy which could help too.

Hi I’m another dry Monday to Thursday person - so far so good but I’m already more tempted than I was in January and it’s only day 3 😨

That's why I'm pretty scared of starting to drink again! That I'll just slip back into old ways of a glass or 2 most evenings

Morning all, hope everyone is doing well and meeting whatever goals you have set for yourself.

It was a real wine night last night, which I enjoyed, but the fake bourbon arrived yesterday so I'm looking forward to sampling that later. So many drinks to choose from, so little time! 😉

@BurntBroccoli , a glass or two most evenings is my goal for 'Moist March' and beyond, so that doesn't sound unreasonable to me. If I can stick to that, I'll be happy. As long as you're not talking about those massive glasses that hold a whole bottle of course 😂.

I have succumbed today. A large malbec is slipping down a treat. I've just passed probation at work so felt the need to celebrate.

Haha yes! When I was younger I could easily down a whole bottle but I can't anymore sadly.
My red wine glasses are pretty large - at max they hold a third of a bottle. Hoping to stick to 175mls.

I'm off tomorrow and that bottle of Bordeaux is calling strongly...!

@Eatinpeachesonthebeaches congratulations on passing! I think a little celebratory drink was in order!

Holding out so far til tomorrow night! Fortunately I did sleep better last night as I was becoming seriously knackered.

How is everyone doing?