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Alcohol support

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Dry January 2022

999 replies

MyGhastIsFlabbered · 12/12/2021 09:25

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?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
JustBkind · 19/12/2021 08:44

I’m in too please!

Stuckhere2021 · 19/12/2021 09:12

@IcedAbstinente

Does anyone have any top drink suggestions?

I love;

  • spicy tomato juice
-rose cordial with tonic -any of the fever tree tonics -ginger cordial with ginger ale -AF Heinekin -Sainsburys AF Sparkling wine

I am also going to start re-reading my quit lit books. I have alot.

It is going to stick this time!

I’ve just bought these from Amazon after they were recommended on another sober site - get them today so will let you know how they are. For “party” drinks and nightcap, I drink Three Spirit “livener” with lemonade, lime and lots of ice and “nightcap” with a slice of orange. Not cheap but feel like adult drinks. I tried “the social” but didn’t like that one
Dry January 2022
Stuckhere2021 · 19/12/2021 09:14

Lots of Americans on the other site make their own kombucha - I’ve seen it in Sainsbury’s but I don’t like the sound of it so haven’t tried it. AF Heinikin also gets great reviews if you like a beer and faux alcoholic drinks don’t trigger you.

Rupertpenrysmistress · 19/12/2021 10:32

I'm in too. Can't wait to feel the amazing benefits.

StarryNightSparkles · 19/12/2021 13:00

AF prosecco - Nosecco is good.
I like to put in a wine glass, lots of ice, lime juice, water and a straw. Lovely and refreshing.

Is everyone starting on the 1st of January or New Years eve so there is no alcohol in the system going into a new year?

Looking forward to seeing the benefits giving up alcohol brings. I've downloaded the Try Dry app, listening to podcasts, and reading people's experiences of giving up alcohol to get my mind in the zone. I've also bought notebooks so I can journal and stocked up on pamper products for self care. Dh has uncluttered the spare room so I can use the treadmill.

Has anyone else put any plans in place?

Beebopawhop · 19/12/2021 13:07

I'd like to have a go again too. We also did dry Jan this year extended by a few days but now my weight is creeping up along with wine consumption! 100 days would be ideal but Ill give myself 30 to start with again!

Daisy829 · 19/12/2021 13:08

Yes I’m in! My alcohol intake is too high & alongside wine goes the crisps so I need to cut it out and lose the weight I’ve put on in the last 6 months.
I’m looking forward to not drinking actually. I’ve done it before and felt great but I’ve just got into very very bad habits recently.

Mammyloveswine · 19/12/2021 13:08

I'm in!!

Babyg1995 · 19/12/2021 13:14

I'm in

IcedAbstinente · 19/12/2021 13:14

I started yesterday because I simply could not wait any longer. I just feel too lousy. I am the only drinker in the house- DH gave up a few years ago.

I have no strategies as yet- except that I am planning to set up a new bank account and do a transfer daily of the money I would have spent on alcohol. There is a wonderful blogger I follow and I think she once said that she and her DH saved £10 k in the first year of not drinking. I found that extremely inspiring.

I need to sort out our photo albums though so that might be an evening project.

IcedAbstinente · 19/12/2021 13:15

This is the blogger I mentioned.

ahangoverfreelife.com/

MyGhastIsFlabbered · 19/12/2021 17:47

Welcome everyone. I just want to state this is a safe space and if you fall off the wagon it's fine to stay and keep posting. No judgement here.

We're all here for our own personal reasons so let's keep it a nice friendly space to discuss our successes and failures!

OP posts:
MagratLancre · 19/12/2021 23:44

Me please

Youngatheart00 · 19/12/2021 23:47

Yes I’m in. Managed it once, a few years ago with several failed attempts and not-even-trying years since then.

It looks inevitable we’ll be living with some form of restrictions in January and drinking has become so habitual i really need a break from it

SpringCrocus · 22/12/2021 00:46

I'm in. Done many DJ, 100 days ( including in Jan, Feb, March, April 2020!) a 6 months, a year off previously but Covid ongoing situation in April 2020 wrecked my resolve. Feel unhappy, bloated, unhealthy. Will be great to have a pause, ideally a total stop to drinking.

SpringCrocus · 22/12/2021 00:47

@IcedAbstinente

I started yesterday because I simply could not wait any longer. I just feel too lousy. I am the only drinker in the house- DH gave up a few years ago.

I have no strategies as yet- except that I am planning to set up a new bank account and do a transfer daily of the money I would have spent on alcohol. There is a wonderful blogger I follow and I think she once said that she and her DH saved £10 k in the first year of not drinking. I found that extremely inspiring.

I need to sort out our photo albums though so that might be an evening project.

Was that Belle, by any chance?
IcedAbstinente · 22/12/2021 06:57

Morning @SpringCrocus ! No I think it was Lou from Hangover free. But I may well be mis-remembering this!

CHEM20 · 22/12/2021 07:04

I did it last year and then extended it.

This year, so far, I have drunk on only a few days (fewer than 10) - all planned with the exception of one. I never wanted to go totally AF but feel a lot better mentally for this year.

So… I’m in

Peanut82 · 22/12/2021 07:28

I had wine last night, I'm not hungover but I do feel a bit ugh! No more for me until Christmas, I'm actually looking forward to Dry January

NotN0wBernard · 22/12/2021 07:30

I'm in. I did dry Jan a couple of years ago and while I didn't see any of the benefits others mention (calmness, great sleep, great skin), I felt proud and it definitely moderated my drinking for a good while longer. Have slipped into bad habits this year due to stress associated with emigrating down under and have some weight to lose. My biggest problem is I struggle to relax in the evenings so I need to get into a yoga/meditation habit and ignore DH who is not a big drinker, but probably won't do dry Jan.

NotN0wBernard · 22/12/2021 07:34

I'm in. I've done it before but white knuckled it and didn't feel the benefits so many others report (great sleep, inner calmness, great skin). Hoping that posting here will keep me accountable and honest! I struggle to unwind in the evenings (busy job, busy mind) so need to set myself a reading challenge and get into a yoga/meditation habit!

MajorityofThree · 22/12/2021 07:38

I'm in

NotN0wBernard · 22/12/2021 07:53

Ergh, phone didn't seem to post so apologies about the doubling up!

SantaMonicaPier · 22/12/2021 07:56

I'm in! I'm starting on 31 Dec also as I felt so awful on 1 Jan this year. I did dry Jan this year and felt amazing - and drank a lot less than usual after Jan also. My tip is to stock up on fake alcohol to ease the initial cravings. I like Nosecco mixed with tonic, and alcohol free gin as well alcohol free beer. Too sugary but massively helped those first two weeks. My skin was clearer and I woke earlier with lots more energy and I was in a better mood too.

LCHF2020 · 22/12/2021 08:09

I am definitely keen - like others am secretly aiming for longer but the first 30 days will undoubtedly be the hardest. Really keen to participate in the group and hopefully we can help each other out!