Hop on up it's Dry January thread #2

[MyGhastIsFlabbered]

Shiny new thread to carry us onward through January

[Amdone123]

May I hop aboard? I am new to Mumsnet but sadly not new to trying to stop drinking. I am on Day 12 today and really proud of myself. I feel great. This is a danger zone for me though...it's happened many many times before. I give up, feel great so celebrate by....yes, reuniting with my friend Mr Pinot. I have to remember how I feel when I'm drinking, or rather the hangovers that kill me.
Good luck everyone- one day at a time x

[boozynamechange]

Hi everyone. I'm new to posting here but have been reading all the messages since day 1.

I'm a 65 units a week drinker so was pleased to see company and solidarity from similar people on here.

I had to post this morning to say for the first time in many many years I didn't even think about a glass of wine last night. The app pinged at 9.30pm and that was the first time I remembered i

That is such a huge milestone for me as it's very much about the habitual early evening for me (like so many of you too).

Good work all and here's to the rest of the month

[Amdone123]

Well done pp - you're doing great x

[Bringonthebloodydrama]

Just checking in to say a massive well done to all of you.

I am on day 11 and it's strange (and kind of sad that it's taken this long..) to feel rested, calm, and be so aware of any aches/pains. Tbh I was always in a mild fog through lockdown, with wine every night...not a massive amount but it was increasing...and just accepted feeling below par as part of daily life. Stomach pains, dry mouth,mild headache, crap skin, weight gain, dehydration, nausea....why the fuck do we do it?! I have gained so much by stopping. I was up at 8.30 on Saturday making smoothies and pancakes with the kids. Usually I'd be growling at them to get out until 10-10.30. Shit parenting. I mean, realistically it's not so bad now and then but the change is for them as much as me.

[Amdone123]

Well done so far - You're doing great. I too often wonder why we do it. I feel great without it - so productive, sleep miles better, skin great...I could go on. The advantages of an af life are massive and yet I still go back to it. It's an addiction obviously - that's the bit that worries me. Habits I feel you can break. Addiction much harder.

[Haggisfish]

@Bringonthebloodydrama me too! I’ve realised just how rumble below par I’ve been for years.

[Humphriescushion]

Hello amdone and boozy and anyone else new. Hope people are having a good day. Day 13 for me and going ok. Somr cravings but i hold onto the fact that they pass. Face improving and am starting to think about a haircut. I feel i have let myself go lately and not drinking is giving me a kick in backside to sort myself out.
Stay strong!

[MyGhastIsFlabbered]

@Blessex I don't mind you asking at all. I was drinking at least a bottle of wine 7 nights a week, often with Prosecco or gin on top.

[catdancer]

Hi everyone I'm on day 11 and new to posting but have been getting loads of support from reading the posts in this group. I was a 40-50 units a week drinker, more over Xmas, and have found quitting easier than I thought it would be from the cravings point of view but I've now had four days of the most excruciating headache and insomnia. Had them the first week but they went by lunchtime and weren't incapacitating but this is something else. Used to suffer dreadful migraines when I was younger but aged 50 I hardly ever get headaches now even when I drink a lot. Is anyone else still struggling with headaches and sleep? All the stuff I read, it says headaches should be done with by day 7. I'm desperate to feel some of the benefits others are posting about. I look about 20 years older and feel a 100 times rougher than when I was drinking!!

[Blessex]

@MyGhastIsFlabbered thanks! Well I am not far off that. A bottle of wine a night. And then it started to slip into a bottle and a bit more....So happy to be with my crowd and doing something about it with support.

[SeeyouontheothersideofCovid]

Hi I'd like to join in. Have been dry since 2 Jan and I am amazed as I've had no alcohol for 12 days in a row (can't remember the last time I did that!) It hasn't been too bad though, and I'm combining it with Slimming World so by not drinking alcohol I'm saving myself a load of "points" and am starting to lose some of the weight gained over lockdown and Christmas.

I intend to remain dry until at least 2 Feb (so as to do 31 days) but may continue for longer. In the past when I have had a sabbatical from alcohol, the main benefit for me is that my skin really improves.

[Humphriescushion]

Hello seeyou, i am doing slimming world as well, but am not being too hard on myself and dry january is the priority.
I also could easily drink a bottle of wine and more and often in the summer i would drink rosé from a box so goodness knows much i was drinking, a bad habit to get into. I also use it as a crutch in social situations.and this has improved since i last did dry January but still happens occasionally .

[SeeyouontheothersideofCovid]

Hi Humphries, good luck with the SW too (and dry January of course). It gets easier as the month goes on because it's satisfying to see all the days I have managed to keep it together.

Good alcohol free alternatives help too, eg always have nice wine goblets, ice, lemon and lime to create a sense of ceremony around a drink. I'm intrigued to try the Gordon's alcohol-free gin but it's as expensive as the real thing, so I could do with someone here telling me what it's like (and is it worth £ it?)

Re SW, alcohol itself has stacks of syns attached, so by leaving it out, it is much easier to stick to the plan

[SwiftyFifty]

@catdancer I’m on day 13 and similar units to yourself. I have had a headache on and off for the past week. I’m prone to sinus and always thought it was the booze/ fags that caused it but have had neither and still have the bloody headache and a spot! Never ever get spots. I have lost weight and feel way more alert less guilty and anxious and “ dirty” but agree the bloody headaches are annoying
There’s no way I’m stopping now though as desperate to really reap the benefits. Plus I just couldn’t handle a hangover at this point and not sure how I used to!

[CandyLeBonBon]

[quote MyGhastIsFlabbered]@Blessex I don't mind you asking at all. I was drinking at least a bottle of wine 7 nights a week, often with Prosecco or gin on top. [/quote]
Yep. Bottle of wine a night. It tipped into more after the news of my brother's death but I think that's what made me realise I was headed down a slippery slope I couldn't ignore any more. So here we are!!

[CandyLeBonBon]

14 days tomorrow though peeps. That's massive!! Keep going everyone x

[catdancer]

@SwiftyFifty hope we both feel a lot better soon. Like you there is no way I am giving in. I have felt nice and virtuous but no physical benefits yet. I just wish there was a bit more honest literature about what you can expect... all the stuff I read says after the first week all the withdrawal stuff is meant to be done. These headaches must be down to our brains and neurotransmitters resetting themselves I guess.... hoping to be leaping about like a new woman by day 15!!

[BooksMusicSnacks]

Hi all,

I joined the first thread but only just checked in and it's been a busy one! Well done those who are keeping on, or recovering from slip ups, and sorry to those who have suffered recent bereavements on this thread too as I saw a few.

Day 13 here for me; have actually found it easier than I thought, apart from really craving wine on Sunday when cooking. It coincided with a bad mood.

I think what might be helping me is that I've been "journaling" every day. After xmas; after a few too many boozy incidents this year; I called a counsellor for some support and she advised to do this. To "sit with my feelings" for 5 minutes and write things down. Initially I felt stupid but it does seem to help.

I know my drinking is gradually getting worse. I was on probably 40/50 units a week (but way more at xmas, holidays etc). I could (can) easily sink a bottle of wine in front of the tv on a random Tuesday night while my husband just drank coffee. I drink to just numb stuff out. Any sort of criticism or feeling of hurt or stress. I drink because I'm bored and want to take the edge off. I drink as a habit. I drink because, I am thirsty - I don't drink enough liquid during the day! I know there is "stuff" underlying my drinking so I'm trying to deal with that, by noting my feelings, by talking to my husband, by reading "quit lit". No WAY would I spend £5 on a couple of nice juices or lemonades but I'd easily spend that on a bottle of wine, so trying to recalibrate my thinking!

Part of me thinks I should just quit drinking. I am not a good drinker, right now I feel better for not drinking! I am trying to get my brain to see it as "attractively labelled poison" (per Craig Beck's book) though it isn't quite sinking in yet. I think MyGhast might have said they can't imagine being tee-total, that's where I am too. Maybe this isn't an overnight thing. One day at a time!

Haven't lost any blooming weight, because I am eating all the snacks. But I can't do everything at a time, so just going to focus on being alcohol free for January and then see where I am.

Wishing you all very well indeed on your journeys, must try and remember to check in on this thread.

[CandyLeBonBon]

Nice to meet you @BooksMusicSnacks - your comments will resonate with a lot of us on here I think - you're in good company - and well done for making such great progress

[mrsnibblesisahero]

Something just went well with work (in context of hideous day where am likely to be working till gone 10pm), and I just thought, spontaneously, I'll treat myself to a bitter lemon. I didn't auto think wine!!! Hurrah!

[CandyLeBonBon]

That's brilliant @mrsnibblesisahero
I'm still at the stage of thinking I'll pop a bottle of zero fizz. Not sure my mindset has shifted enough away from wine as a reward yet. All I'm currently doing is substituting the substance but the habit is still very ingrained

[CoronaIsWatching]

@SeeyouontheothersideofCovid

Hi Humphries, good luck with the SW too (and dry January of course). It gets easier as the month goes on because it's satisfying to see all the days I have managed to keep it together.

Good alcohol free alternatives help too, eg always have nice wine goblets, ice, lemon and lime to create a sense of ceremony around a drink. I'm intrigued to try the Gordon's alcohol-free gin but it's as expensive as the real thing, so I could do with someone here telling me what it's like (and is it worth £ it?)

Re SW, alcohol itself has stacks of syns attached, so by leaving it out, it is much easier to stick to the plan

I have the AF Gordons. It smells like real gin, and has a gin-ey taste. I have it with tonic. But you can tell there's no alcohol in it. I wouldn't buy it again, but interesting to try

[goldpendant]

Oh FFS I really want a glass of red.... it's definitely a wfh/homeschool combo. I was doing okay until DS bubble burst on Monday.

[ApolloandDaphne]

@goldpendant

Oh FFS I really want a glass of red.... it's definitely a wfh/homeschool combo. I was doing okay until DS bubble burst on Monday.

Me and DH have both just said the same. It's cold and dark and everything in the world is a bit shit. Surely a lovely glass of red would improve things...?

[MoonBaby1]

@goldpendant rude the wave and it’ll pass.
I know the feeling so well. Homeschools shit. Having to work and toddler care at the same time want me to reward myself with wine. Thinking 2 weeks tomorrow made me stop.