Hop on up it's Dry January thread #2

[MyGhastIsFlabbered]

Shiny new thread to carry us onward through January

I think there is another thread in chat @ ohio , though i think this thread has been fairly steady and i like it here

Had good weekend and definitely getting easier. Went for lunch but did not feel tempted and was really nice not to fall asleep in a drunken haze in the afternoon, and wake up feeling awful, which has been known on many occasions. Hope i never go back to that!

Cant believe it day 25, not going to rush into drinking again, but not sure about 100 days. Realised wine is definitely the worse thing for me and may give this up for 100 days and moderate.
Well done everyone and so many of you who have so much to cope with.

I was very tempted yesterday, when I went to the supermarket. I used my spare tenner to buy stuff for the food bank instead, and came away feeling good!

@Imissmoominmama, that was such a good idea.

@Imissmoominmama what a great idea.

I'm actually starting to love feeling 'virtuous' for not being a slave to alcohol! I don't want to slip into old habits again but still can't think of 'forever'

Hello all. Happy anniversary @MyGhastIsFlabbered!

@TSBelliot you may not be feeling it but here you are! Well done.

@Imissmoominmama great move.

A good day here. Woke up early (had a 7am call). Barrelled through to 7pm without even a nudge from the wine witch.

Evening all !!
25 days and there was me thinking that I was on day 22!
Can't believe how quickly this month has gone.which I think is to with the fact that I'm not spending the majority of the day feeling rough and generally feeling like I'm walking through sludge !!

Yeah I'm definitely feeling stronger and more able to cope which I really didn't think I would. I've been using alcohol as a crutch when really it was the thing crippling me. Strange really. My GP has been on at me for ages to cut down & I can't wait to tell him how well I've done!

Well done @Humphriescushion - that's impressive, I haven't been faced with anything harder than a zoom call.

Realised now I'm reading this that I also worked from 7 through till gone 7 tonight and didn't have a 'twitch from the wine witch' (love this). I drank ginger beer and didn't really think about it. Can't recall if I did or I didn't but certainly no longing. That 'early evening, still working, stressed' bit is my worst time, and it's becoming okay I think.

Before this I used to desperation call my DH and ask him to bring me a bottle, even if I had a half bottle here, because I genuinely didn't think I could get through the work without. And I'd feel crap and ashamed,

My goal is way higher, but even breaking that is quite something.

Thanks Teelizzy and true:)

My wine witch is strangely silent these days. But I doubt she'll stay quiet forever. It'll be harder once DP starts again but for now I'm still aiming for the 100 days. I'd love to only drink on special occasions...or occasions more special than 'Tuesday' or as a crutch when things go wrong.

It's been so good to have this thread for support! I feel I've totally changed my relationship with alcohol. I really thought I was addicted.
I have, on a couple of occasions had a small glass of wine, and not felt compelled to drink more. It was my head telling me to enjoy the small glass and stop, because of DJ, but it worked. Evenings are a bit boring.. I used to drink a bottle a night and I'm staggered to think how much I've saved over the past 3 weeks

Morning all - day 26! Everyone is doing so well. I am trying now to not think about the "finish" line of February, and just try and keep going without too much pressure, may just take it one week at a time.

I am starting to exercise more and am starting to feel brighter and less sluggish. Think i look the same though.
Hope everyone is doing ok?

Hi all! I'm definitely feeling stronger. I even opened a bottle of red at the weekend and poured ds18 and dh a glass - they apologised! But I said it's absolutely fine I literally don't want a glass. Not giving it a second thought now.

I'm stressed and anxious and a bit low. I know alcohol won't help.

Morning all! You're all doing so well.
So yesterday was the worst day of January for me. The day after my relapse and the hangover. I got through the day, but really regretted caving in. It wasn't worth it. I got through the day, but head was sore, I was so thirsty / hungry, ate a load of rubbish. My energy at work was low and the smallest problem felt insurmountable.
Obviously, I am only human so forgave myself. I had 23 days af before it.
I am , however, a big believer in things happening for a reason, and yesterday, was a lightbulb moment. I do not want wine and cigarettes in my life. It's not worth it. Am carrying on with an af life. I deserve the benefits.

You’re right Amdone. I drank because I wanted to relax but really alcohol doesn’t help. I’m feeling a calmer person not drinking. Still can’t imagine being teetotal long term though.

Evening all.

I'm just wiped out today and having worked a full day, walked the dog, prepared dinner, pushed through 3 loads of washing am in bed.

Wine witch came calling but sent her off with a Seedlip and tonic with ice.

News is grim, but we're not 

Well done @Amdone123 you got back on the horse and that's what matters.

Thanks @teelizzy, I'm not giving up giving up! I just need to remember how ill it makes me. Its so strange because in the past I've tried other drinks and they've made me feel dreadful the next day, so I've never touched them again. But wine makes me feel ill time and time again, and I still go back!! 😒

Talk me down. I'm tired, fed up, feeling bleak and everything is just relentless and I want wine to just soften everything around the edges. I feel like a pit pony.

Talk me down please!

@CandyLeBonBon

Talk me down. I'm tired, fed up, feeling bleak and everything is just relentless and I want wine to just soften everything around the edges. I feel like a pit pony.

Talk me down please!

Imagine how awful you'll feel tomorrow morning when we're celebrating day 27 and you can't

@CandyLeBonBon, you've done so well getting this far. You can do it. Can you get in a nice bath, or have a hot drink and some chocolate? I wish I hadn't relapsed. It wasn't worth it. It was a nice thought, but it didn't deliver.

Thankyou. I needed to hear that. I've had some bitter lemon which has taken the edge off. I think I was just thirsty but I've spent so long guzzling wine that it's my primary thought/go to!

Really hating this winter though - it just seems permanently dark or is that just me?

It does feel a bit relentless at the moment Candy so what can you add in that would be a more constructive feel good thing? Is there a friend you can text who makes you laugh, are you a warm bath person, a make a plan person, a fuck it I am going to bed person, a bad tempered walk person or like me last night - an eat a six pack of the kids’ crisps person. It will feel better when you decide to have a drink rather than give in to having one.

Dark and wet

It is relentless. It’s grim and it’s miserable. I am telling myself that If I can get through Jan and Feb in lockdown then everything else will be easier. I’m trying to convince myself that I will be slimmer and fitter by the summer.

Sending strength to anyone who needs it tonight x

@CandyLeBonBon hope you sent the wine witch packing. I'm struggling tonight - have had a thumping head all day and I just want to cry. But the plus side is knowing I don't feel shit from drinking too much.

@Amdone123 I had a similar epiphany with smoking many years ago. Gave up for a couple of months, then tried one...it was so revolting I've never wanted one since. Maybe I need similar with alcohol...though I've had some pretty horrific hangovers and it's never deterred me.