Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Alcohol support

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

No alcohol in 2024

648 replies

Noalcohol2024 · 27/12/2023 21:17

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.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
17
Original poster
Noalcohol2024 · 03/01/2024 08:17

@Sparky4084 very welcome to share your journey and you did really well not turning to alcohol during your family stress. I understand how you feel as wine is always my go to coping strategy too. However, it’s always a short term solution and inevitably it just prolongs the inevitable anyway (ime).

@pavillion1 I never complete dry January either . I was only successful when I did AF for a full year because with dry January I’m always focused on when I can get to drink again in February.

Taking the year approach removes the focus of when can I drink again and directs me to change my habits as I’ve set myself the goal of NA for a year which means the countdown is far away.

I’m hoping after a few months AF my mindset will have changed too. I don’t want alcohol to be at the center of everything I do which brings pleasure to my life. I’m tired of alcohol having a good over me psychologically.

Day 3 everyone. We can do it 🤞💡

OP posts:
ThisIsASeaplane · 03/01/2024 08:47

Morning! I posted last night and said I was on day 3 (yesterday) , but then checked my app and say I was actually on day 4.....so day 5 today! I am clearly just utterly confounded by the festive/new year chaos and can't even keep track of counting to five! Luckily I have the app to count for me (I Am Sober.... tracks financial savings too!)

Good luck to everyone.... I have lost some weight already, which is very motivating to see.....and have definitely saved money already, given that I stayed dry over the new year. Great to see some benefits so soon....just need to remember them in times of weakness!

Gio1 · 03/01/2024 11:42

@glindathegoodbitch Have fruit with brekkie. Berries or an apple or both. I find I don’t crave sweet things as much when I’m eating fruit regularly. Well done!

BraveMaeve · 03/01/2024 13:03

Noalcohol2024 · 03/01/2024 08:17

@Sparky4084 very welcome to share your journey and you did really well not turning to alcohol during your family stress. I understand how you feel as wine is always my go to coping strategy too. However, it’s always a short term solution and inevitably it just prolongs the inevitable anyway (ime).

@pavillion1 I never complete dry January either . I was only successful when I did AF for a full year because with dry January I’m always focused on when I can get to drink again in February.

Taking the year approach removes the focus of when can I drink again and directs me to change my habits as I’ve set myself the goal of NA for a year which means the countdown is far away.

I’m hoping after a few months AF my mindset will have changed too. I don’t want alcohol to be at the center of everything I do which brings pleasure to my life. I’m tired of alcohol having a good over me psychologically.

Day 3 everyone. We can do it 🤞💡

Edited

You've summed up perfectly my motivation too. I strung together a few AF stretches last year but my undoing is usually me thinking "can I really do this forever", getting overwhelmed at the enormity of that and gradually going back to it.

This year I want to take the mindset of giving myself a year to observe how I feel and the difference it makes (inspired by a PP who advised treating this as a project). So if I really miss wine on my birthday I will have it next year if I want it. I'm hoping I don't but find it easier not worrying about forever yet!

Hope everyone is doing OK so far.

Littletinytarzanswingingfromanosehair · 03/01/2024 13:15

I've woken up and my eyes are much brighter it's just not worth it.

Original poster
Noalcohol2024 · 03/01/2024 13:21

Instead of listing names every Monday let’s check in and state how many days AF and how we feel.

Everyone keep adding in between too just Mondays will be our AF check in day. If anyone else wants to list all the names that’s fine too.

OP posts:
Original poster
Noalcohol2024 · 03/01/2024 13:23

@ThisIsASeaplane your ahead of the game that’s a bonus 😅

OP posts:
VanLife33 · 03/01/2024 18:56

Day 3
Been finding it hard to get to sleep the last couple of nights . But definitely been sleeping deeper once I finally drift off and waking up feeling less tired!
Having some vivid dreams though 🥴

EdinburghRoss · 03/01/2024 19:01

Just chiming in here to say keep going - it is possible! I did 2023 alcohol free, something in me just said 'enough' on Jan 1st last year, and that, was, well, that.

It has been difficult. Disbelieving friends? Check. A mother who still, after a year, asks if I'd like a glass of wine? Check.

You can do it though. You can do it. Just keep going, one day at a time.

I used the Nomo app to help track my days and to check in - it's basic but brilliant.

No alcohol in 2024
ThisIsASeaplane · 03/01/2024 22:06

I relate to the struggles with something like Dry January because of fixating on drinking in February! I once aimed for 90 days, managed it....and drank on day 100! I really didn't plan to - but subconsciously the thought must have been there...... now, I just don't want to drink at all - I really don't want to ever go back to it. I just need to remind myself of that when it gets harder!

Day 5 today and doing fine, but I've never really struggled with not drinking during the week....the weekend, specifically Friday after work, is when I am anticipating some cravings.... have got some kombucha (which I really like) in preparation and will also go for a walk after work to distract my brain.....

Does anyone else struggle with Fridays especially (or any other specific day)? So much of it is habit/routine for me..... I just need to find a way to develop better ones....

ThisIsASeaplane · 03/01/2024 22:07

EdinburghRoss · 03/01/2024 19:01

Just chiming in here to say keep going - it is possible! I did 2023 alcohol free, something in me just said 'enough' on Jan 1st last year, and that, was, well, that.

It has been difficult. Disbelieving friends? Check. A mother who still, after a year, asks if I'd like a glass of wine? Check.

You can do it though. You can do it. Just keep going, one day at a time.

I used the Nomo app to help track my days and to check in - it's basic but brilliant.

This is great to hear, and very motivational / inspiring!

pavillion1 · 03/01/2024 22:10

Im finding falling asleep tricky too , even though im tired all evening 🤷🏻‍♀️ . Hopefully that will pass soon .

hashbrownsandwich · 04/01/2024 06:46

@ThisIsASeaplane I hear you on the Friday thing!
I'm a HCP and Friday is a 10.5 hour shift and always hectic so my Friday night wine infront of the tv watching trash is my usual motivation not to implode.

VanLife33 · 04/01/2024 07:48

@EdinburghRoss I've set up the nomo app. Thanks!

Original poster
Noalcohol2024 · 04/01/2024 09:37

I’m taking my parents shopping I have a conditioned response to want to drink alcohol after seeing them as alcohol was always in our house growing up so I’m going to have to stay strong.

Day 4 of 2024. Lost 1 and a half pounds in weight since last SW weigh in so that’s a bonus.

OP posts:
coodawoodashooda · 04/01/2024 10:46

Noalcohol2024 · 04/01/2024 09:37

I’m taking my parents shopping I have a conditioned response to want to drink alcohol after seeing them as alcohol was always in our house growing up so I’m going to have to stay strong.

Day 4 of 2024. Lost 1 and a half pounds in weight since last SW weigh in so that’s a bonus.

Keep focused on your fresh morning feelings.l

Iamateadrinker · 04/01/2024 10:52

Checking in to say all good here, however I have swapped one unhealthy habit for another and am overeating to the point I feel uncomfortable.
Just as I can't have 1 glass of wine I can't have 1 packet of crisps or 1 mince pie. I lost over 3 stone last year and am putting It back on slowly but surely. It looks so pathetic and weak when I write it down but self loathing isn't going to help so for now I am focusing on staying away from alcohol and hopefully the better eating habits will return.
Well done to everyone, one day at a time....

TeeNoG · 04/01/2024 13:59

@Iamateadrinker the eating thing is common, but give yourself some grace, it's early days. Can you balance the snacking with a nice long walk whilst you listen to a podcast?

I'm doing ok, I'm predictably in 'decluttering the house' mode today. Things like this are so much easier with alcohol, there's just more time available physically and mentally.

Sonrien · 04/01/2024 15:01

Hi all!

Things were going well, but I've suddenly been hit by an overwhelming feeling of dread. Anyone know if that's related to alcohol detox?

Atacamadesert · 04/01/2024 18:03

lamateadrinker totally! I think it’s because drinking, eating,
smoking all meet some kind of emotional
need in me so whenever I restrict one the craving switches to something else. I guess the trick would be to find something healthier that met that need. Not sure how rondo that though! I’d did give up the fags so just the eating and drinking left!

VanLife33 · 04/01/2024 19:10

I enjoy a glass of 🍷 when cooking tea.
I find it's more a ritual type thing for me rather than a wine thing.
Tonight I still got out my nice wine glass, filled it with ginger ale and ice and drank that while cooking tea..
So I still got to go through the motions of "having a drink" and actually really enjoyed it 😀

rainbowbee · 04/01/2024 20:08

I'm going really well considering it's only day 4. Nice cups of herbal tea and a few diet cokes for the cold fizzy feeling. My sleep has been great, but my skin looks dry and blotchy! Confused

pavillion1 · 04/01/2024 20:41

First Friday tomorrow im feeling fairly confident il get through it but i might need to get a nice fizzy soft drink . Sanpellegrino or something like that. ive also bought some sleeping tablets as insomnia has been REAL this week.

pavillion1 · 04/01/2024 20:42

Sonrien · 04/01/2024 15:01

Hi all!

Things were going well, but I've suddenly been hit by an overwhelming feeling of dread. Anyone know if that's related to alcohol detox?

i had the sweats in bed last night .

Jeffsmeffsmiff · 04/01/2024 23:08

Popping in to say hi and offer a little observation. I'm 3 weeks dry today and I realised today that I'm really happy. I know that sounds a bit wank but honestly it's a really big deal. I've had January blues every year for as far back as I can remember, and the last few months my anxiety has been so bad I've been referred to a therapist by my GP with my first session tomorrow. But I realised that I haven't been feeling down or anxious this last week or so. At all. The only thing different is the not drinking. I am actually shocked that it's making such a massive difference, and so quickly
I will obviously still be attending my session because I do have a lot of issues I need to unpack - many of which are related to an alcoholic parent - but I actually feel a bit of a fraud going along when I'm feeling good 😂
Anyway I hope others feel this benefit soon too