Dry January 2022

[MyGhastIsFlabbered]

Did Dry January this year and we had an amazing little support group going on here and I wondered if anyone cared to join me next year? This time I'm hoping to stay dry longer - 100 days - but will see how January goes first. I don't want to set myself up to fail.

Who's with me?

Day 2 is tough but really need to break through the barrier. Stress doesn’t cover it! Hope I can sleep better tonight esp as back to work on Wednesday after bereavement leave.

@katedan

Please can I join? I do not know if I am looking to do dry January or for a longer period but would appreciate the support. Last night my kids had an intervention ( aged 18 and 15) and said me and DH have been drinking too much over Christmas and they want to know why. In truth our marriage is in the bin and drinking was something that was holding us together. Outside of Christmas we normally go for 4 days without drinking each week but over Christmas it has been every day but when we drink it is a bottle of wine/prosecco each minimum. I feel so low that my kids feel like this and thankfully DH has agreed to give sobriety a chance together and make changes. So here I am for a hand hold.

I feel awful in knowing I have damaged relationships with my 3 dds (16, 18 and 22) by drinking too much. Even to the point that eldest 2 don't enjoy coming back from uni. I also drink to patch up a stressful relationship with dh but must find another outlet rather than wine. Good luck

Day 2 managed. Tricky moment when husband and son opened wine but I thought actually don't want any. So hoping for a better sleep tonight. Well done to everyone and if anyone slipped don't beat yourself up just get back up tomorrow xx

It's past 9pm so I've always deemed that to be winding down for bedtime time (if I hadnt had a drink already) so after then I see my day as completed sober.
Really hoping I can get some sleep tonight, thankfully it feels a little cooler than last night so hopefully.
Roll on Day 3, well done everyone.

I would love to join to keep me focused on staying dry this month. Have tried before and given up but determined for so many reasons to do it this time. I have watched the clock today having an internal battle with myself. Visualising what a lovely day I will have tomorrow with a clear head, more energy and patience for everyone. Tomorrow is a new day

Day 2 and enjoying reading your posts. Hand holds where needed.

The first time I did a dry month (Oct 2020), I hadn't gone longer than 2 days without alcohol for over 25 years.

It was only when my brother (on Day 14) explained that the extraordinarily good mood I'd been in for the last few days was down to not drinking, that I realised the true cost of booze. I've cut down massively since and am looking forward to abstaining this month.

For those not used to stopping/normally drink a lot, I would recommend maybe not trying to cut out/down sugar straight away. I got a lot of sugar cravings that first time and chocolate/sweets helped a lot during the first 2 weeks.

@katedan handhold 💐

Wine witch always calls here about 5-30pm on Sunday , just as I’m making the gravy for Sunday dinner
Just DH and I here now , both doing DJ ….so no Sunday roast this week 👍

Still feeling hungry though , so I just had cheese and biscuits @Youngatheart00 think of all the wasted calories we’d normally fill up on by drinking , no calories in sparkling water or herb tea

I hear you.. Thank you for opening up and being so honest. Not sure I'm there yet but not far off X

Day three for me! DH still drinking, quite a lot, but I've barely been tempted.

@katedan hand hold from me too. Together we can support you. I’m day 1 today, I did some Pilates around 6pm and kept myself busy by tidying up and sorting the laundry. I did feel quite twitchy and hoping that I can sleep tonight. My DD has been having problems getting off to sleep so we did a guided meditation together and it was lovely! I might start doing this as a regular thing.

@RedDingDongMerrily
I’m swapping the emotional glass of wine for baths and walks.

I misread that as "I’m swapping the emotional glass of wine for baths and wanks" -- struck me as a novel approach but perhaps with much to commend it!

Haven't been drinking, just didn't have my specs on 😂

@Alcemeg @RedDingDongMerrily 🤣🤣🤣 maybe this is the advice we all need!!

It’s cheaper than Epsom salts and becks blue

I'm restarting! I had 1 bottle of wine left and drank it with dinner. I'm not beating myself up. I'm here and determined.

I've set up the side of my bed with moisturiser, vitamins and my diary.

I will do this for: my mental health, my physical health, my financial health and because I can do anything I set my mind too.

Day 3 today!

@katedan

Please can I join? I do not know if I am looking to do dry January or for a longer period but would appreciate the support. Last night my kids had an intervention ( aged 18 and 15) and said me and DH have been drinking too much over Christmas and they want to know why. In truth our marriage is in the bin and drinking was something that was holding us together. Outside of Christmas we normally go for 4 days without drinking each week but over Christmas it has been every day but when we drink it is a bottle of wine/prosecco each minimum. I feel so low that my kids feel like this and thankfully DH has agreed to give sobriety a chance together and make changes. So here I am for a hand hold.

@katedan I've had similar this week. We're all here for you x

Morning! Day 3 here in Australia. So good to wake up not groggy, disappointed, trying to remember the movie I watched!
Went to gym at 9am! So far I've managed by just avoiding tricky situations, no wine in the house and eating a lot. Stay strong everyone.

Day 4 here today and being tested for the first time (have felt off colour for last 3 days so no cravings). DH bought a bottle of wine I love and forgot our deal to stash it where I can't see it. Opened the fridge when cooking dinner and there it was, humph. Been playing on my mind ever since, although the offending bottle is not there anymore. Have been reading your posts and they have helped a lot. For those who are talking about their relationship with their children, I see you. My 9 year old has made plenty of comments over the years and I don't want him growing up thinking it's normal that mum drinks every evening. We have the power to create new habits, née memories, by taking this brave step we are all doing. Hand holding for those struggling. Just remember how lovely it is to wake up with a clear head and no regrets

Clear head here today and pleased I resisted temptation last night. DH also doing DJ, hats off to those doing it alone. I just upped my sugar intake but thought of all those calories I had saved from no wine. Going to enjoy the last day of the holidays today, take children out to a country park (something I would have talked myself out of if I had drank last night) and make positive plans for January. Have a good day everyone

Morning. Checking in.

have good days everyone. :)

Good morning. hope everyone is OK, handhold to those who are struggling. I found last night hard, have a bad habit of popping up to the village shop on a Sunday evening on the pretext of getting a few bits...plus a bottle of wine. Resisted the temptation, but ate leftover cake instead!

Morning, happy to have found this thread for support. We have a house full of wine, a huge full rack in the kitchen, another in the garage plus a booze fridge, plus a wine fridge in my garden cabin/she shed. As long as I don't open any of it we'll be grand. Won't go off will it!

I am finding getting off to sleep harder sober, but once asleep it's lovely deep proper sleep.

My sons bought me a bottle of rum for Christmas. That was a bit mortifying. I hate that they think it's normal to drink every night, because of us. I would be delighted if they were both teetotal. I have said to them "you spend the first half of your life trying to engineer opportunities to drink and the second half trying to drink less... Don't bother"... Not sure either of them believe me. 🙄

Swimming then a yoga class for me on my last day off. Gonna need you guys come Friday omigoodness. A sober weekend, is that even possible??? 🤷‍♀️😩

Anyone else having really vivid dreams? And not necessarily good ones?!

Good morning all, like many I struggled to get to sleep last night but when I did eventually go off it was beautiful unbroken sleep which I'm thankful for! I'm a little apprehensive about the dreams as in the past this has been a huge problem but I'm sticking with it.. a past v bad experience crops up in my dreams which is the main reason I started drinking in the first place so a bit of a vicious circle that needs fixing. It's the last day of the school holidays today so need to be productive and a clear head will most definitely help!! Here's to day 3 AF 🙌

@Youngatheart00

Anyone else having really vivid dreams? And not necessarily good ones?!

I had a dream last night that I went for a night out. I’d dressed up smart but everyone else was in fancy dress and light up Christmas jumpers. I remembered I was supposed to be doing dry January so made an excuse that I needed to go and get changed … I went off to find some changing rooms and was told they were in this abandoned hospital, was walking around it and it was disgusting, really dirty and grubby. I found a Christmas jumper to wear but had to put it on over my normal clothes - then I realised how stupid I looked and started thinking about how I need an alcoholic drink to settle my nerves.

Sounds stupid but the dream was awfully depressing and stressful with a really horrible dark atmosphere