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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:
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7
FoxglovesandBees · 29/12/2021 14:23

Thanks @Upyouranty, I hope you feel better soon! I agree that it's probably your body starting to reset itself now it's getting rid of the alcohol. So scary to think what it does to us, it really is a poison we're better off without!

Thanks @OutbackQueen, it's good to know there's others who understand what it's like. I want to quit completely but that's too scary to think of, I just can't imagine it right now so dry Jan sounds more doable. Are you going to quit completely?

So glad to have found this thread, it's lovely!

SquirrelFan · 29/12/2021 14:41

Thanks @IcedAbstinente and @FanGirlX, some good suggestions! Will definitely suggest breakfast, and I guess I'm resigned to walks. I'll push DH out of the kitchen when he's finished making his cocktail, but the sound of the shaker has me salivating like Pavlov's dogs! Maybe I should absent myself...

pointythings · 29/12/2021 15:21

DD2's GF gave me an absolutely stunning decorative tea glass for Christmas - she knows I like a good herbal tea of a non-drinking evening. So I'm going to start using that. I'm starting on the 1st as per usual, going shopping tomorrow so will be stopping by the health food shop for some more nice teas.

PromisesMeanNothingSue · 29/12/2021 15:35

Hi all, I’ve been on past DJ threads (different usernames) but I don’t think I ever managed to do the whole 31 days AF. This time I’m 59 days in to at least a year alcohol free. I’m pretty sure that I’ll then be annually renewing my ‘alcohol free for a year’ status, as I’ve tried and failed to moderate enough times to finally realise that entirely sober is the only way forward for me.

People talking about Day 3… that was by far my worst day; I was screaming inside, the anxiety was so bad. It actually made me realise that I’d been feeling that way every Wednesday that I’d managed to have my AF days on Mon and Tues. I didn’t click that it was alcohol withdrawal, though (which I now realise that it very much was) - I just thought ‘well what’s the point in forcing myself not to drink on Mon and Tues, when I don’t even feel better for it?’ and stopped bothering to not drink for two days a week. I was actually never stopping long enough to get through the withdrawal. Blush Blush

madmumofteens · 29/12/2021 15:40

I'm in I've started today dusted off the juicer which was hiding in the shed

Alcemeg · 29/12/2021 15:59

@IcedAbstinente

I also find about day 3 my anxiety and depression goes through the roof. That then triggers me to drink again. Ironically I usually get depressed about stupid things I have said while drinking. Hmm
Day 3 is when everything feels so shit that I just think "Fuck it, might as well have another drink."

Whenever I sustain more than a week of looking after myself properly, doing the right things, I start to feel great.

LolaLolaLolas · 29/12/2021 16:16

I'm in too!

CrumpetswithMarmite · 29/12/2021 16:46

I am in... Since the pandemic I have been drinking far too much :( I feel quite ashamed about it and need to start somewhere. I know the first 5-7 days will be the hardest. Last year I only lasted 5 when I tried to stop which is really sad..! Thank you for creating this group. I feel like I need support and this seems like the right group ☺️

SarahJessicaParker1 · 29/12/2021 17:17

Day 3 today. I'm tired again, but I had another early start. Am I grumpier than usual? It's possible.

OutbackQueen · 29/12/2021 17:37

@FoxglovesandBees, I would love to quit completely but the idea seems impossible....but if I can get through a month who knows.

Winecheesesleep · 29/12/2021 17:56

I'm in! I did well in 2020 but didn't last long in 2021 when we went back into lockdown. Determined to do this in the 2022 come what may.

Ijustneedtosleep21 · 29/12/2021 19:59

[quote OutbackQueen]@Ijustneedtosleep21 I like the idea of continuing dry months! I need to stop altogether but can’t face the idea of never drinking again ATM and dry January is such a good start. I can also just tell people I’m doing dry Jan rather than telling them I want to stop altogether (including new partner and feel too soon to tell him I have a drink problem).[/quote]
I am the same as you, I feel forever seems too long but I know I need to stop. I found people didn't really support me fully when I said I was giving up before, just a lot of questioning around why. I did Sober October once and carried into Nov so found it easier to explain I had done that for a month and enjoyed it rather than I need to stop as feel out of control.

FoxglovesandBees · 29/12/2021 22:30

End of day 2 for me. In bed now about to read my latest quit lit, The Heart of Addiction. I really want to understand why I drink like I do and what I get from it deep down so this book is interesting.

Definitely agree with the person above about feeling more grumpy than usual! I've been very irritable and just feel flat and like I won't stick to this anyway so what's the point?

Anyway goodnight all, glad to see so many people on board Smile

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 29/12/2021 22:43

@FoxglovesandBees I'm going to try that. I've been reading this naked mind. I've told myself for years I don't have a problem as I can have weeks where I don't drink and sometimes have one or two and no more but it's those times when I don't know where to stop and end up being a complete dick and forgetting stuff that mean I do have a problem. Well done on day 2

space21 · 29/12/2021 22:57

Please can I join you?
I need to reset my relationship with alcohol as I drink nearly every night and it’s boring but I can’t seem to not drink!
I want to give this a go but I am scared I won’t be able to do it alone.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 29/12/2021 23:24

@space21 hi there. You can absolutely do it Smile

MavisMile · 30/12/2021 03:45

Hello
Would love to join. I'm going to find it extremely tough.

Feelingoood · 30/12/2021 04:28

Am with you space21.
Have been trying to quit since jan last year, and the year before that ..
I just realised I drink, fall asleep on sofa. Every. Single. Night. How does that look to teens?

Daffyaboutdaffs · 30/12/2021 07:20

I am also in. I had so much to drink on Xmas day/night that I fell over and can’t remember a thing about it. But I have the bruises to confirm it. I’m so ashamed and embarrassed. Time to get a grip. I’ve been AF for 4 days now. I already feel better. No night sweats. No waking up anxious and trying to piece the night together. Just need to make sure I don’t forget this feeling.

OutbackQueen · 30/12/2021 07:53

@Daffyaboutdaffs me too, bruises all over and furniture pushed into odd places etc et! Don’t beat yourself up, we all seem like lovely women who are strong enough to want to change. No drinking for me today as am driving to see my mum so that’s a start.

Daffyaboutdaffs · 30/12/2021 08:16

@OutbackQueen thank you. I hope I can be strong. Similar things have happened in the past but I have convinced myself it’s not that bad and got back on the drink. Even laughed about it with similar drinking buddies sharing experiences. Not sure why but this time it feels different and I need to hold on to this feeling so I don’t go back if that makes sense. Well done to you for not drinking today.

htfdth · 30/12/2021 08:33

Good morning to you all. Woken this morning after having a full bottle of wine last night and feel rough..! I keep doing this, full on day ahead with kids and I'm dreading it. This is my number one reason to stop 🛑 my mother was an alcoholic, I should know better. I don't want my children growing up seeing what I saw as a child. If I don't stop now it's highly likely I'll be going down that same path. If you are on Instagram check out sober Dave I stumbled across his account a little while back. Very inspirational. Here's to day 1 AF for me. I'm starting early.

UsernameFail · 30/12/2021 08:34

Hello, I think I did it with you this year and am looking at doing it again.

To say that Ive eaten and drunk more than most people this year is an understatement.

I need to wipe the slate clean and start afresh.

Upyouranty · 30/12/2021 08:40

Since the first lockdown I have gained 2 stone 🥴
And totally lost my mojo.

But we can all get it back!!!!

You can do it @MavisMile Star

Day 5 here.

gertie445 · 30/12/2021 08:41

I'm in, I also need to accept that I am functioning alcoholic. i've quit many times before, even getting to 60 days. Then i'm back having just a few...It's shocking how quickly I can nail a bottle of wine. I can only buy one bottle a day or I'll just open the next one. I don't want to live like this anymore.

I also have teenagers, its not a good example is it? Stopping today.