No alcohol in 2024

[Noalcohol2024]

I gave up alcohol for an entire year 10 years ago and I am going to challenge myself to do it again in 2024. Anyone want to join me? I won’t lie I found it really hard. However, it did help me reset my habitual drinking. I feel ready to do it again. If anyone else feels a year off alcohol is something they want to do then join me on January 1st. I am going to take the next few days being honest with myself and reflecting on why I feel this challenge is something I need to do. Anyone who starts on January 1st with me can include their reasons in the introduction (if they wish to). I have a big birthday this year so I know it will be a challenge on that day as-well as Christmas and New Year 2024 but I am determined.

Everyone alright? Its gone abit quiet .

Another day done thanks for asking @pavillion1. I’ve struggled today but some words on here by AP helped me through and remembered someone mentioning most people fail by January 10th (I think) and I did t want to be that statistic.

Hopefully you are having a better week than me.

Hey listen none of us would be in this group if it was going to be easy . To make the statement of going sober for a year is enormous! dry january is a mockery in comparison.
Ive never completed Dry January but i know this time il do it ... Ive got a sneaky feeling im going to find February 1st really hard 🤣

We held strong today, even though we've had a very upsetting day with having one of our beloved dogs pts. Would normally be drowning our sorrows but wasn't even tempted.

@willowtree66 holding strong on such a bad day your dear dog is in your heart and keeping you motivated.

My weekend usually started on Thursday afternoon so @pavillion1 I’m hoping once tomorrows over with I get a second wind to see me through til next Monday.

I read somewhere about HALT - that we often drink because we are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. I'd add bored too.

There's a lovely feeling for me, of "putting it all down and just stopping thinking" whatever "it all" happens to be at the time, and whatever the thinking is. Like, I'm bored and lonely ... oih go to the pub. Or, I hate my work/partner etc, so I'll mentally leave them by getting pissed. Or, I need more fun excitement and change - so I'll get pissed. None of these thoughts or needs are addressed by my drinking tho. And the thoughts/needs get worse or even less met, the next day, because of the hangover. So then I hate my life and turn to booze to change my mood.

Bah. It's a pointless cycle that spirals me down and achieves nothing positive.
If I could stick at one drink I would and I'd love to be like that. But I can't. Every drink turns into a hangover-inducing session.

Non alcoholic beer is a good option atm for me

Morning all, just checking in. Its Friday. A red zone day for a lot of us and I do really hope you're all doing OK.
Day 15 here. I am finally sleeping... like I'm actually dead now. This week I've done several 7.30pm- 6am stretches!! Still tired, but definitely turning that corner.

Woke up today with a metalicy wine tang on my mind. Pretty sure I was dreaming about booze again, but I do feel less drawn to it.

This is a TMI one... but is anyone else a bit 'bunged up'??? Its like my bowels have just stopped. I'm in quite a bit of pain with it. Wondering if the red wine had been keeping me going?
Sorry to lower the tone so early in the morning 😬

One interesting thing I did last night-google "alcohol before and after images" some very home-hitting transformations there. Really hoping my red skin calms soon, I've done so much damage.

Anyway, I'm going to work out how to 'quote' and reply etc on here as I feel rude jumping in and not interacting properly
Keep going all, you are all super inspiring and just think how we're all going to feel in a few months!

Morning All,
@glindathegoodbitch a red zone day for me too. I’m not working today so planing a post Xmas clean. Takeaway tonight but without the wine.. DH wants to watch the rugby so I’m planning a soak in the bath with my book. Thank goodness I’ve got books in my life!
interested to hear how well you’re sleeping now. I’ve had 2 good nights now and it’s actually the prospect of a good nights sleep that is motivating me 😀
Im also suffering with my bowels, as a previous daily drinker I’ve put it down to a change in diet.
@anythinginapinch I resonated with your post.

I’m just musing why I want to eliminate alcohol for a year and jotting it down here will help:
I want to not think about wine or look forward to my evening glass (s). In essence I want it to just not bother me.

A couple of years ago a worked hard to loose weight and I’ve regained a stone. It’s my daughters wedding in June and I want to loose that stone. Not drinking helps in 2 ways: less calories and more time, energy to exercise.

Im a busy person and I have so little free time and a list of things I want to do for me such as house projects, gardening (reading planning learning too), running, yoga. Being a non drinker will give me my evenings back plus more energy at the weekends

I’m tired of being tired.. I wake up every morning feeling un refreshed… I spend the day looking forward to going to bed that evening. I want to jump out of bed every morning feeling fully refreshed at 6am 😂

So, I can do this. I have so much more to gain than I have to loose 😀

Stay strong today guys , Remember the determination you had 12 days ago???? Nothings changed, our attitude to drinking hasn't improved in that short amount of time . If we give in tonight its game over , We'l be right back where we started but worse because we'l be carrying the shame ..
We CAN do this 💪.

Giving up things can be complicated and it's not always simple - but I know from experience it's possible.
I suffered with bulimia for 20+ years, with extreme body issues and self hatred. To break that has taken time and a slow change in both thoughts and behaviours, which took years and years and years to do. It was breaking the habit that was the hardest. Habit is comfortable and easy. But it is so worth it when we do.
I never thought I could - but I have.

I still have thoughts and urges but I have practiced how to move past them. I think it is a case of doing (or not doing) something repeatedly and so many times it gets easier. It becomes a new habit.

I hope everyone can keep going. Each time you push the urge back, say no, do something else, you are winning. And to be Frank it will involve some nights of frustration, anguish, boredom, uncomfort and negative thoughts and feelings. In my case (which is different but still addiction I would say) I had countless moments, days feeling sick to my stomach, completely uncomfortable and crawling skin because I wanted to purge. These moments began lasting less and less as time went on. I learnt to move past more quickly and to move on. It didn't happen overnight
But my point is you CAN get through it and it DOES get easier.

Our brains and bodies are amazing but really lazy, they do and want to continue doing what they have always done. And retraining that doesn't come easy. So just trust the process and know that each day is a win. Today will be a win for you. It might be uncomfortable but it will be a win.
And it will all be worth it.

Hi Everyone.

Day 12 for me and thought I'd share a few encouragements as we head into the weekend...

AF sleep is a joy. The difference in quality is quite something.

It's important to depart from your previous 'drinking' routine. Do things differently for eg have a snack when you might otherwise have had a drink, especially in the evening. It's easy to think you're craving alcohol when, in fact, you're in need of boost to sugar levels. A snack is incredibly effective at crushing alcohol cravings.

Try not to get bogged down in any perceived 'sacrifice' giving up alcohol. The benefits (better sleep, weight loss, improved skin, healthier relationships, better health, increased confidence, greater levels of disposable income etc.) far outweigh any perceived downsides.

I'm finding the 'Try Dry' app which others might find helpful.

I'm grateful to be part of this thread. Wishing everyone a super weekend!

@Hunsterbunster I love the ‘Try Dry’ app too the yellow teacups are ace.

@whereaw sharing your journey with bulimia is enlightening. It is about forming new behavioural pathways which will change us in the long run. I had CBT nearly 20 years ago to help with anxiety and I am trying to put in the steps to help with the alcohol cravings.

Feeling better today. I think I thought it was Wednesday yesterday! DH making curry and we are going to whizz up a yummy fresh juice to go with it.

Have a good AF weekend everyone.

Good luck today everyone. I know Fridays are tricky for some.
Day 29 for me. I've come to the realisation that I did/do absolutely have an alcohol habit.
I've been suffering with my mental health quite a bit lately which is one of the reasons I decided that ditch the booze. Today has been especially hard but I found myself itching to go out and buy a bottle of Gordon's 0% or Nozeco so I can have a "special" drink to "relax" and "cheer me up"
What does that say about me?
I'm going to give in to the urge because frankly I'm happy that it's not alcohol but it shows that I do rely on having a drink when I'm having a bad day.

I had a terrible nights sleep last night. Went up to bed at 10pm, tossing and turning till 3am. Then woke up at 4:30. Decided to get up and go to work.
Normally start work at 6am but started at 5:15am today.
left work at 1pm.
Now it 3:30 pm, feel I need match sticks to keep my eyes open.
I am scared of having a nap incase I end up with another night of bad sleep.
I became a weekend wine binger. This weekend is going test me.
I find sometimes my OH is an enabler as I know he will pop into Tesco on his way home from work and text me to see if I want anything. In the past I always got him to buy me more wine, even though I made sure I had enough in for my weekend binge. He keeps saying have everything in moderation.
moderation does not work for , it’s all or nothing.
keep telling myself we are half way through the month now.
I just want to sleep better.
has anyone tried Magnesium for better sleep.

@Jeffsmeffsmiff 0 % alternatives are getting so much better.

@Kashybear its much harder when your partner is drinking alcohol still but if you are anything like me I can’t moderate not yet anyway hopefully after a year alcohol free the big reset will have worked 🤞

Ive not tried magnesium but i did go and get myself some phenergan from the pharmacy you have to ask for them and not all pharmacy stock them .. They are brilliant if you are in dire need of sleep .

Just been to my exercise class and now I’ve the fire lit and a pizza int he oven.
nice san pellegrino limonata as a treat. Haven’t really thought about it this evening , thought about it more earlier in the week l! If I look at the calendar the the rest of the year seems like a long time. But day by day is ok for now! Have a lovely evening everyone and more importantly a good morning!

Thank you for your post @whereaw - I will focus on breaking the habit a bit more each time.
relaxing with a bath now

enjoy your AF evening everyone- sleep well especially @Kashybear

Checking in. I hope everyone is doing okay. I really struggled around 6pm this evening but kept busy doing jobs and got through it.

I’d have had the best part of a bottle by now on a Friday…and slobbing in front of mindless TV
clean sheets after my bath and my book - 🤞for a good nights sleep

I'd also be a bottle down by now usually, completely rubber and sitting doon scrolling in my phone into the wee hours. Often posting some cringey things on SM. I've just done my face care routine, watching a movie with a diluting tropical juice and tonic water that tastes a bit like a cocktail, lol. Looking forward to another fresh weekend. I'm getting little pangs but finding this unusually easy compared to previous attempts at abstinence. I'm wondering if it's because the year is so long and I'm not just counting down the days to the end of the month? Long May it continue! Hope everyone is managing ok tonight

I went to my normal Friday evening yoga class. I'd usually have opened the wine afterwards. The Friday feeling is a tough one! Made a nice dinner and doomscrolled instead. Felt pretty flat today if I'm honest. However, I have an early gym class tomorrow followed by plans with a friend. Looking forward to being fresh for both. Also- haven't been on the scales but by the look of my face and boobs, a few wine-pounds might have disappeared!

@whereaw Same as that. I’m getting out for walks almost every day which helps a lot though. My mind is so busy. I find it tough to quieten the racing thoughts and chatter. It’s still a much better week from last week overall so hopefully the improvements keep coming.

Good (hangover free) morning
I was looking at my partner last night who is looking 5 years younger already, I think he had drunk everyday for 6 months+ and today will be 13 days alcohol free.
I can't say I see the same for me but I'm up half the night with my LO and even when I'm not I've got terrible insomnia- basically lying there waiting for her to wake me up because my head is telling me she will!

BUT I feel far better than I would do. I usually with have a whole bottle (of Prosecco!) on a Friday or Saturday!

What are everyone's weekend plans?
I really want to get back into gym/ exercise which was always my passion, but just don't have the time with work and kids. And then it makes me feel guilty! It's hard to fit everything in, but when I can I do classes with lots of mums of teenagers/ young adult and they tell me it was the same for them with younger kids but have only recently got the time for themselves back to do it more regularly. So I try not to beat myself up about that.

Hope everyone made it through Friday night and wakes up feeling proud of themselves.