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Original poster

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
BlackboardMonitorVimes · 04/01/2022 18:56

Hi, I think I should join you. I have tried dry January several times but have never managed more than a week or two. The lure of a drink after a hard day always gets me.

I've been reading the thread and having so 'ahhh' moments reading your posts. I am not sleeping very well, finding it hard to get to sleep and equally hard to get up in the morning. I'm back to work tomorrow so hopefully some routine will help.

I am overweight and although I have tried diets, my alcohol demon has never really allowed me to accept that it is one of the big reasons for my weight. Not only in its own calories, but I eat whilst drinking (plus I wallow in the hangover calories).

Would love to go completely dry at some point but I am not ready. Doing the full month would be a huge milestone for me and hopefully allow me to break some habitual drinking.

JaquiRussell · 04/01/2022 18:59

Having a cup of tea, after first day back at work today. Feeling OK, might try not have more tea after 8:30pm see if thst helps with getting some sleep tonight.
Well done on Day 4 everyone.

Upyouranty · 04/01/2022 19:02

Long day today.
First day back at work. Def feel like a glass of wine tonight. But I’m going out for a walk instead.
I always find that I get the urge to drink more when I’m premenstrual. It’s def when I need it least…

indiesearcher · 04/01/2022 19:03

Hi all,

Joining for DJ, also over on the Freedom thread now having had a sober October and carried on...

Enjoyed this thread last year though and recognise some names from October thread so hello again and hope everyone is doing okay so far!

trydry22 · 04/01/2022 19:07

I will not drink wine I will not drink wine I will not drink wine I will not drink wine I will not drink wine I will not drink wine I will not drink wine!!!!!!

IcedCoffeeMilkshake · 04/01/2022 19:09

Cooking dinner is also a trigger time for me. (Also love cordials with tonic water! Nice and bitter and feels a treat).

I was triggered today but I told myself a couple of times firmly that 'alcohol makes me sick, fat, bloated and sad.'

Now I am having a cup of tea and all the family are about to turn off electronics for the evening. (That is another habit I am in... )

Night everyone and looking forward to Day 5. :)

Mykittensmittens · 04/01/2022 19:19

meh. Day one and this habit is really entrenched. I’m just missing the demarcation and cannot shake the feeling of wanting the day to be over just to be able to move to another day, which is shit. These feelings are very familiar from other dry runs, they never go away. I’m just getting to Friday at the moment as the rest feels too big. Everything I do (have a bath, clear a cupboard, whatever) it’s just a distraction. Until the habit is broken that feeling doesn’t go. It’s so bloody annoying.

I fondly remember an episode of Last Tango in Halifax, where Ronni Anconas character, unusually sober for once, says ‘the trouble with not drinking is, it’s so fucking BOOOOORING’.

Yep!

Abunchofyellowroses · 04/01/2022 19:45

May I join you all? I have done DJ for a long time now but I always fall back into self-indulgence in February. I’ve read the full thread and agree with everything here; perhaps this year I’ll be able to stretch out the AF time.

I’m going to try not to snack too much as I’d like to shift some of the many lockdown pounds. I started on January 1st with a vile hangover and a vile headcold but I think not drinking is helping me to get over the cold more quickly than I might have done. Anyway, a poster way back on this thread said how she feels calmer and more like herself without alcohol: I feel the same way now and I’m going to try and hold onto that feeling.

And to all of you who have suffered bereavements in recent months, my sympathy. It’s hard to resist temptation when you’re feeling sad but how amazing you are to keep going. You are stronger than you know.

Iamblossom · 04/01/2022 19:52

Yep, not drinking is dull dull dull and the evenings are long without it.

I am 11% into Sober Diaries as recommended upthread, enjoying it very much.

I have booked dinner out for DH and I on Saturday night. At first he was dubious about doing something we would always drink at usually, but when I pointed out that with both of us sober we can drive ourselves there, eat, and drive ourselves back. No taxis, no bar before hand and pub after, enjoy a lovely Thai meal, have something to get dressed up for, and differentiate a Saturday night from a Wednesday. And we'll be with each other and not with drinkers.

We ate early this evening (for us) and I haven't drunk alcohol for 4 days. Go me.

Itsnotover · 04/01/2022 20:12

I will have a look at the Sober Diaries, thank you. Sauvignon blanc is my weakness - the Branscott Estate one 🙈 my dad is a full blown alcoholic and I don’t want to end up like him.

Luckily I seem to have found plenty of things to distract myself this evening.

PeacheyPeach · 04/01/2022 20:39

Day 4 done! For those that are struggling it does get easier, I think once you get your first week down it really becomes more normal and not so much of a chore!
Saying that tho I am cancelling any socialising for the foreseeable so I'm not tempted!

katedan · 04/01/2022 20:57

How is everyone doing today? I struggled a bit last night with it being a bank holiday but perserved especially as I had a 6.30am gym class to get to. Today is a normal drink free day for me as don't normally drink M to W but my test will be Thursday to Sunday especially with socialisation at the weekend!

SantaMonicaPier · 04/01/2022 21:10

I'm surprising myself by not wanting a drink at all. This is day 5 for me, the weekend might be more of a challenge but last weekend was fine

H1Drangea · 04/01/2022 21:12

Doing well , though I seem to have replaced my glass ( or more, usually ) of wine with eating leftover Christmas chocolates

Original poster
MyGhastIsFlabbered · 04/01/2022 21:13

Feeling surprisingly ok this evening but I think it's because I don't normally drink during the week unless on holiday and now I'm back at work and the kids are back at school tomorrow it's back to old habits.

Had a good 'family meeting' earlier and made lots of suggestions for improving things as a family so fingers crossed they work.

I've been thinking about my kids and how much I hated seeing my parents drunk when I was younger (both alcoholics) and that's not what I want to put my kids through - they really are wonderful humans and mean the world to me.

OP posts:
RedDingDongMerrily · 04/01/2022 21:15

I came on the thread so cocky being a moderate drinker and having done dry months many times, I’ve managed to drink more in the last 2 days than I ordinarily would in 2 weeks.

Unexpected family celebration!

Back to dry today.

Chickydoo · 04/01/2022 21:20

Hi
Can I join you all.
Managed DJ in 2020, didn't bother last year. Have drunk most days over Christmas, so need a break from it. Day 4 done and dusted, am enjoying 0% Heineken & seedlip & tonic as alternatives.
Going to the gym every morning is helping with a healthy mindset, although the enthusiasm for that may well wear off very soon.

Hohofortherobbers · 04/01/2022 21:44

Well done on your sober evenings everyone. I'm sipping sparkling water and heading to bed shortly. Is anyone else constipated? Maybe a coincidence but I think drinking wine keeps my bowels moving. I don't think I've been since AF!!!

dementedma · 04/01/2022 21:49

Day 4 done. So far have been drinking herb tea, Heineken 0% and lime & tonic. Hoping for a decent sleep tonight

JaquiRussell · 04/01/2022 22:03

Beating myself up a bit unfortunately. I had a lovely dinner cooked for me, so I know I shouldn't complain but they said after I'd eaten it they put sherry in the carbonara mix they then stirred through the pasta and bacon - then served it. They said they forgot I'm off alcohol completely 😕 It's knocked me for six a bit. Sounds stupid but feel gutted and annoyed. If I sleep tonight now considering I haven't I will be paranoid.

SantaMonicaPier · 04/01/2022 22:06

@JaquiRussell

Beating myself up a bit unfortunately. I had a lovely dinner cooked for me, so I know I shouldn't complain but they said after I'd eaten it they put sherry in the carbonara mix they then stirred through the pasta and bacon - then served it. They said they forgot I'm off alcohol completely 😕 It's knocked me for six a bit. Sounds stupid but feel gutted and annoyed. If I sleep tonight now considering I haven't I will be paranoid.
I can understand why that would upset you but I'd be thinking the cooking cooked the alcohol out so it doesn't count
NorthernChinchilla · 04/01/2022 22:17

Also Jacqui you didn't choose to have alcohol, so definitely doesn't count! Understand why you'd be annoyed that someone else sort of broke your promise for you, iyswim?

JaquiRussell · 04/01/2022 22:22

Thanks both. I hope in another 4 days I will think to myself I was silly to worry but as I say just really knocked me.
Thank you for your support 👍🏼 Day 5 tomorrow and I will keep on keeping on!

Ijustneedtosleep21 · 04/01/2022 22:25

Day 2 ✅ started a little late as wanted to enjoy a trip out with my family to the theatre and for Sunday lunch/drinks.

Feeling more positive I'll stick to it this time. I had a REALLY bad start to the day and usually that would result in me saying 'F it' I'll have wine in the evening but I didn't.

I'm also trying not to replace wine with other things and have started calorie counting again to try and lose this baby weight, well 2 lots of it...

Iamblossom · 04/01/2022 22:30

I completely understand you would be annoyed and feel scuppered @JaquiRussell but totally agree with pp that it doesn't count as you consumed it unknowingly and did not choose to have alcohol.