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.

@Atacamadesert I have to admit when I read the posters talking about moderating and starting again in February I too just thought why don’t I just do that. I’ve done so well. This internal fight in my head lasted 10minutes. I know I’m not ready I’d be back to my old ways within a week. I just had to resist. I know I have to get use to triggers and temptations it was just so overwhelming how quickly my mindset changed.

What set you off tonight?

@hashbrownsandwich Sounds like you’re doing really well. Meet your sister on the chocolate front! Would it help to switch your drink? There seems to be a running theme in this group with wine. That is what I drank New Year’s Eve and I am still getting over the antics that ensued after it. I think wine is another level and I do not usually drink it. I remembered why New Year’s Day.

One of my friends caved tonight 🤣 & i have to admit up until an hour ago i was flitting back and fourth myself .
Its not that im climbing the walls needing a drink i just miss it , the taste and the release you get from that first glass BUTTT ! i can not stop at 1 glass shit truth be told i dont even stop at 1 bottle then i turn into someone i dont like . or i make plans with someone over text and forget ive made them . i lose hours which i can not account for .
Im a better version of me sober .

Day 18! Is anyone else really enjoying their food? I'm not the overeating or sweet tooth type but I feel like I have an appetite that I didn't know I'd lost.

Neat lard?! Creasing! 🤣 Well done on all your progress @glindathegoodbitch

@Noalcohol2024 we were going to go away for one night tomorrow but the weather is awful we cancelled so just a dark rainy weekend stretching ahead of me and the cosy lights of the pub began to beckon! I’ve eaten and watching a film now and feeling glad I didn’t. I wanted to do until at least the end of March but I’m feeling a bit unsure! One day at a time I guess. Thanks for the thread I def wouldn’t have made it this far without it!

Why do I have the compulsion to want to drink everyday and not exercise everyday?

@pavillion1 it must have been hard resisting when a friend had some wine. I love the taste, especially pairing it with food. Love a cocktail also. Just can’t do it sensibly and I end up wasting money because instead of savoring the deliciousness of the wine I just quaff it.

I want to master savoring the wine not quaffing it and I’m just not ready🥲

@Atacamadesert that does sound tough well done for getting through it.

I am beginning to think I just have to change the narrative in my head as soon as it starts to beckon me to wine.

Mini eggs are out and I’ve got Xmas chocolate still on the go. Snacking more over big meals too. Still losing weight though but I do have a few stones to lose and I’m exercising more.

Bit peckish now going to have some Comptè cheese but not the 250 ml glass of red I usually have with it so a calorie saving at least 😂

Good morning! day 20 for many of us! Woop 🙌
Feeling pretty good today.
Very little sleep all week but due to kids and sickness. Went to bed with my little one last night and didn't feel like I was 'missing out' on anything but that it's moments like those that are to cherish as they don't last forever.
I do think not drinking helps you to enjoy the moment for what it really is.
What are everyone's weekend plans?

Well I made it through and when I woke up this morning I felt very glad I stuck it out. I never never never regret not drinking in the morning. I’m always happy I didn’t. I only drank once or twice a week anyway ( 1.5-2 bottles in one go though!) so I just don’t understand why I am tempted. I feel like a mad woman! What is wrong with me???

@Atacamadesert I guess though you used to have a couple of nights a week which were spent 'having drinks' so now you have to replace with something else, and currently without the drinks the night seems boring? I am a bit similar to you, although wouldn't go over a bottle as I literally couldn't function with the kids if I did!! We need to sit with the boredom and frustration for a while, and eventually work out how/ what we will replace that with. I think how you feel is totally normal/ to be expected for a while.
Well done on sticking it out!

I've had some spots recently. I don't normally get them unless my period is due. Which it isn't. No clue about the science of it but you are not the only one!

Wow! Good for you! I've only managed slightly over 5lbs in 22 days, BUT that is still much better than nothing......AND I've been eating absolutely loads. Your weight loss is amazing! Can you notice a difference in your clothes etc?

@Atacamadesert I got to the point of drinking just Friday, Saturday and Sunday ( Saw Sunday as the weekend 🤪).
But like you it was always a bottle and a half each night.
I used to wake up and tell myself off, for being greedy, that there was no need for me to open the second bottle.
Now AF for 3 weeks and I feel great, waking up after 6/7 hrs solid sleep.
Now loving the posh Squash with tonic water on my weekend nights
@Noalcohol2024 I too am seriously thinking of doing this for the year.
well done everyone🙏🏼 xx

@BeckyWithTheGoodHair010101 I was drinking a similar amount. I will definitely check out the book you mentioned!

Regarding moderation, I read somewhere a saying along the lines of:

"If you could manage to moderate, you already would have been".

I've kidded myself for years rather I just need to try harder, only drink after a certain time, only drink beer, drink more slowly etc.... it's fucking exhausting! And even though I can manage it for a while / on certain days, it is an EFFORT, and the first really hard day, the first special occasion and I'm right back to excessive levels and feeling like shit the next day.

Everyone's situation is different but for me, no more kidding myself that I can be a moderate, take it or leave it drinker.... I'm much happier without! And knowing that I am reducing my risk of cancer, various other health issues etc....I feel so much better mentally, and actually like/respect myself more for it. Often when I was drinking I hated myself. Not to feel that way is a revelation!

Another fresh Sunday, congrats ladies and enjoy your day!

Good morning! I hope you're all feeling good and hangover free! I'm currently eating a pear, drinking a herbal tea and doing some work. Going to go feed the ducks, get some clothes for the kids and out for pizza for lunch in a bit. I've been stuck home all week with kids sickness so cannot wait to get out.
What are everyone's plans?

I've been reading posts on instagram that talk about early days including a lot of tiredness, fogginess, sugar cravings and up and down emotions. That it takes a while to really feel the true benefits. Keep going!

@Kashybear yep I also used to sometimes count Sundays as the weekend too which adds up to quite a lot over a week. I’ve recently heard the phrase binge pattern alcoholic and apparently around 60% of boozers fit this pattern. I always used the week off in my head as a reason I wasn’t an alcoholic 🤔. But if I wasn’t addicted then this wouldn’t be this hard would it??
@whereaw Interesting to find people with a similar pattern to me! 1 bottle was my limit for years but then we met some new hard drinking friends and this pushed my tolerance really high without me realising!
you are so right about it taking time to replace it with something. One month just isn’t enough time for a new pattern of behaviour to emerge. You’ve really got me thinking about that.

Day 38 here and I'm really struggling ☹️. Been feeling really down and have realised that my alcohol use must have been a sort of self medicating. Instead of all the new found energy I'm struggling to motivate myself to do anything. There seems to be no point to anything (I don't mean no point without alcohol - just no point at all) I DO think I'm less anxious which is good but I'm not sure the hopelessness is better.
My doctor has suggested signing me off work or trying meds but I'm scared to try medication because it sort of feels like exactly what I was doing with the alcohol, just using a crutch rather than dealing with stuff. I am considering taking some time off work (I've already called in sick once because I just couldn't face it) but then I worry that no real structure to my day might make everything worse.
Anyway sorry for the negativity everyone. Hope everyone else is doing well.

@Jeffsmeffsmiff time off work will be helpful.

Medication didn’t work for me but it might for you.

I have been reading some of the other threads on Alcohol Support section and the overall feeling I get after reading their struggles the morning after is that I never want to feel like that again after a binge. It’s spurred me on to button down the hatches and focus on the end goal of a year as-well as making me really challenge myself when the wine demon beckons me to drink.

Take this time to heal your body and mind. We don’t have to be productive all the time. Take the pressure off yourself.

I’ve binged watched so many box sets this month it’s embarrassing but it’s keeping me off the booze and I’m slowly getting more and more energy and motivation for life.

At the moment your energy and motivation is being used to stop you from turning back to alcohol.

Day 38 is an amazing achievement.

Can I join? I've not had any alcohol for about 2.5 weeks. Expensive wine is my vice. 2 years ago I gave it up for 6 months and then went back to it because when I had a glass of wine on my birthday, I found I didn't like it any more. Literally makes no sense! But I've decided to adjust my mindset to the fact that it's ok to not even like drinking.

So far, I'm feeling much better. Less bloated, better sleep. Not waking up feeling anxious. My daughter, who is disabled got injured by one of her carers which has been really upsetting but I've still managed not to drink.

I'm using the app Reframe which I have found helpful.

Welcome @MyopicBunny thanks for the app recommendation. Hope your daughter is recovered.

@Jeffsmeffsmiff what you describe sounds exactly like depression to me. When I have a depressed period I feel exactly like that. I can't see the point in anything. My inner reaction to any of the normal things I'm meant to do in life is, So What? I will only have to (e.g.) clean the sink again because it will get dirty again so what's the point in cleaning it now? What's the point on anything, we all die in the end anyway. Etc.etc.etc. This is nothing to do with having alcohol or not having alcohol (for me). It's depression. Medication stops this and yes I've been on fluoxetine, a very low dose, for a very long time. I dont see it as a crutch but a medication that rewires my brain back to how it was meant to be - a bit like how my mum's blood pressure meds put her blood pressure back to how it was meant to be. No one accuses her of using a crutch. Obviously though there's a bit of a stigma around anti depressants but please reconsider or at least chat to your GP.

Hi all - have been following from the start but not posted yet.

I am SO excited to be on day 21!

Six years ago I did Dry Jan... until the 23rd when a parent passed away and obviously I was straight back on the wine. (They were an alcoholic, it's what they would have wanted, I told myself ).

I have been leaning heavily on wine since then, following a lifetime of drinking too much.

I know that I use it as an escape from a fairly unhappy home life - but am working on changing that this year. And can't imagine wanting to drink in a fresh new place on my own.

Weekends are hardest, but Guinness 0/0 has got me through like a dream. I really hope this is the beginning of a permanent change in my drinking habits.

Sending huge support to everyone, I love reading about about even the smallest of triumphs during this month