Dry January and beyond

[BulldogMumma]

I couldn't find a dry January thread so thought I'd make one.
I've posted on the alcohol threads before but never see it through. This year I'm determined to do dry January and even beyond.
My drinking has really crept up lately and I know I need to address it. I lost my mum this year due to alcohol and I don't want to go the same way. I've been using alcohol as a crutch since losing my mum but now's the time I stop relying on the wine and take back control.
Anyone else who wants to join me are more than welcome, would be good to have some buddies along the way x

Hi everyone, this is my 3rd day. Tomorrow will be a bit of a challenge as it's my BIL 40th tomorrow and my partner will be having a drink. Not really sure how I'll navigate the evening. Perhaps it's not really helpful being negative but I need to be honest with myself.

Sending strength to you all I know it’s tough the mental gymnastics are real!!
especially for those who have alcohol in the house or partners who are drinking usual Friday night habits etc…
please just remember your reasons for DJ make them your focus this is the time for self discipline you owe it to yourself to get to the other side the benefits take time but once they start pouring in you will feel so much better and will have a sense of achievement this is not for the faint hearted a lot of people wouldn’t even consider DJ so the fact your here and posting and helping others is already a pay back and you should feel proud of yourselves. Remember no one ever woke up and said “I really wished I had that wine last night’ we’ve got this 👍🏻💪🏻

@MedievalNun (love the username btw) - I really like the Gordon's. It's the closest thing I've found to a 'real' gin without tasting overly chemically. I did try Sipsmiths but I thought the price was extortionate and didn't like the taste either. Far too herbal, if that makes sense. I've never found a good AF wine substitute. Sainos used to sell something called Ugo which was elderflower and mint and decent enough as an AF drink, but I think they stopped stocking it or it's no longer made, as I've not seen it for ages.

It's usually my witching hour round about now but I'm feeling surprisingly okay. I didn't even fancy the AF corona so will save for tomorrow night. I'm currently drinking summer fruits flavoured water and watching tv.
Hope everyone's doing okay tonight

@QuacketyQuack ooo tough. Where is it? Can you take a bottle of nosecco?

Day 3 complete, and hoping for a good night's sleep. Well done for the first Friday everyone!

@QuacketyQuack there's lots of AF alternatives. Nobody would know you're not drinking 😉

Checking in on Day 3 - glsd to hear so many of you doing well so far.
Amazingly I had no desire to drink tonight, even after first day back at work. Altho have to admit that's partly because DH is away and so I'm home alone with the DC (young).

I'm feeling much more relaxed than usual and feeling quite positive about everything.
I stopped at the shop earlier and got a load of discounted Xmas chocolate in anticipation of sugar craving but I have only had a couple of small Lindt choc balls so quire pleased with that. Last time i did DJ i ate an insame amount of chocolate ao need to rein that in a bit this time!

Secretly I'm quite glad DH is away as I'm sure he'd be having a drink and it does make it more difficult If I'm wavering.

Good luck for the weekend all.

Day 3 for me. Slept well but cheated a bit. I realised I was feeling a bit wired but tired yesterday evening. So took an over the counter sleep aid which help me have a solid night sleep. Weird dreams though. Don't regret taking it but not going to make a habit of it. Going to supermarket tomorrow so will have a look at what AF drinks are on offer.

Day 3 completed for me. I'm still drinking my water. Bedtime for me soon, I'll read more quit lit before sleep

Another dry day 3 here as well, although echoing the comments upthread about struggling to sleep. Hopefully that corrects itself soon - on the plus side, I'm obviously sleeping well once I do sleep, as I'm not too tired, but it was gone 2am before I dropped off last night.

I'm also not worrying about healthy eating - not drinking is the best thing I can do for my body right now, and if that means a couple more snacks along the way, so be it.

I reckon I must have saved £30 or so by now as well, so there's another bonus!

Well done on another day everyone!! I’ve been ok tonight 😊 Had a can of cucumber & mint sparkling water while I was cooking which was nice and kept me distracted! Off to bed now and looking forward to (hopefully) waking up feeling refreshed tomorrow!!

Checking in! Day 3 ✅ had a draft Heineken zero tonight at our sports club. Easy as half the people there were on zero and have bought some corona bottles for tomorrow night.

Day 4 done, it’s nice to read all the messages and feel less alone. I also made early plans tomorrow to help avoid the temptation. I was hoping for better sleep tonight but I ate quite a lot of chocolate and I’m worried it may be the caffeine in that keeping me awake.

Apparently the reason for poor sleep in the first week is because the liver is working hard to rid the body of toxins and dumping waste. Keep going those who are struggling, after these difficult few days it should settle down.

Day 6 for me done. I have had an alcohol free cider and alcohol free gin and tonic. I am planning bed soon as I am tired and up early tomorrow. It's helping that dh isn't drinking either tonight. That's only my second AF Friday night in about 4 years.

Bookshark I have saved a fortune since I stopped drinking! Especially in pubs/restaurants - sometimes a glass of wine can be over £10.

Successful day 3 here. Dh is staying strong too which is a big help. I feel like if one us breaks it the other one might.
Still worried about tomorrow night. We are up early and out for the day but when we get back it will be chill time with a film and a takeaway then no plans Sunday. So this would be prime time to have a few gins. This usually then rolls over to half a bottle of wine with Sunday lunch.
The weekend will feel totally different without it. Hoping I can stay strong.

Day 3 done! Did have a wee hankering earlier whilst I was cooking dinner but it passed!

It's usual to have poor sleep for the first few nights as your body tries to adjust. It will get better.
Day 3 done and dusted. It's going ok so far but the challenge will really start when I go back to work next week.
Well done everyone.

Well done everyone

Day 4 here. Not sure I'll last the whole month, but so far I am not missing it at all so fingers crossed. Have had two dinners out and drunk Diet Coke. I'm loving the bright feeling when I get up in the morning.

I think I'm the only one who has already failed. I'm starting again on Monday.

So close to reaching for the wine tonight but played it forward and resisted!

Well done

I’m in

nedd to cut down and I’ve got a raging cold so I feel bloody awful.

feel pretty confident