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

Happy New year everyone. Day 8 for me. My sleep is awful it's almost 5am and I'm still awake. Wee one will be up in a couple of hours. Encouraging to read that others are struggling with sleep.

I bought some Trip drinks to have when my other half is drinking tomorrow night

I took that train ride, so 2 dry days from 3 for me, should be 4 from 5, by Monday.

Morning all
I'm up for work, feel tired but I've got a clear head and don't have wine breath which is a bonus!
@coastergirl don't beat yourself up over a slip up, you haven't failed you're starting again therefore it's not a fail.
My sleeps not too bad I can fall asleep easily but I do wake up through the night, usually when dp comes to bed and tries to have a conversation 🙄
Day 4 here we come

All is never lost, the cycle of change is always useful to know, you can hop on or off, at any particular stage

• Precontemplation: A logical starting point for the model, where there is no intention of changing behaviour; the person may be unaware that a problem exists
• Contemplation: The person becomes aware that there is a problem, but has made no commitment to change
• Preparation: The person is intent on taking action to correct the problem
• Action: The person is in active modification of behaviour
• Maintenance: Sustained change occurs and new behaviour(s) replaces old ones.
• Relapse: The person falls back into old patterns of behaviour

Image didn't post, click on it

Good morning. Day 4

I've not been up this early in ages. I didn't have any issues falling asleep but a nightmare woke me up. I think I'll stay awake now though I do feel really tired.

I'm looking forward to getting some routine back when the children return to school on Monday. We had a nice Christmas but it's been quite chaotic.

Morning everyone, quite a decent lie in for me. I'm usually awake at 5, so this is great. I feel pretty good. Family coming over later so I'll get up in soon a get the steak pie into the slow cooker.

Day 4 for me. Saturday is my biggest boozy night usually. Definitely been years since I had a booze free Saturday.
Have a lovely day everyone

Ohh I never thought of that it could be the sugar, I started taking magnesium supplements about 2 hrs before bed and they worked for me last year when I managed 75 dry days and I slept like a baby after the toxins had left takes a good few days for the bad stuff to go. But sleep will massively improve

Just start again - the intention is still there, don't beat yourself up😁

When I failed in the past, it was because rather than think
'oh bugger, I've had a glass of wine, oh well, never mind'
My mind would say
'Oh bugger, I've had a glass of wine, oh well, might as well have a few more and give up'

I'm determined not to do that again, so just let your slip up go and crack on😁

Day 4 for me, and easy so far. BUT I've got a horrible sore throat and snotty cold. I'd guess when that clears up the urge to drink will come back😒

And on that optimistic note, have a fab AF weekend everyone🤣

Morning all had a restful sleep went to bed about 9pm partner was out but his on board doing DJ we now have a running bet he won’t make it!! 😂 just a little bit of banter I hope he does as he is the kind who will have 1/2beers every night then about 10 if we go out!! and I think it would be good for him to start looking after himself his growing quite the beer belly of late and he likes to vape!! Us women do a lot of worrying!! Day 4 and definitely a day for movement today will be off to the gym soon apparently it’s meant to snow this afternoon we will see don’t normally get it down south. but I do love a wintry walk so have to get the hat and scarf out!! Hope everyone has a great Saturday and remember nothing feels better than waking up fresh on the weekend will use these last two days to recharge for work on Monday oh the joys!!

Morning all, thank you @Hedjwitch, I did sleep better last night. Hopefully this is the start of the sleep tide turning. I’ve just got to get through tonight and then I will feel safe until next weekend. Day 5 here and would love to get tonight under my belt dry.

@coastergirl I’ve been trying to quit for a while now, last year was the first year I didn’t press the fuck it button after a drink. So although I had broken my dry run, I jumped straight back on the horse. It was my most successful year in terms of cutting down and with that experience under my belt I feel ready to attempt this year completely dry.

Progress isn’t a straight line and this journey can be incredibly bumpy!

You want to start again though @coastergirl that's important! Even if you cut down you've achieved something x

Wow, a sound night's sleep, first in ages!
All going well at the moment, but real tests will be socialising when others are drinking, well done to those resisting. And as I want to be relatively AF forever it is a challenge I have to overcome. And enjoy/ embrace.
Interestingly, my best friends are ones I also work with, and we have absolutely no problem having fun/ conversation/ support without any alcohol involved, so why do we feel the need to go a bit wild when we go out??

I was really grumpy last night - maybe Friday-itis got to me more than I expected? - and was in bed very early with an audiobook. And then awake at 1am for a couple of hours. I'm hoping by this time next week I will be better prepared.

I’ve just been looking at full body health checks has anybody ever had one and can recommend? My GP is terrible I don’t think I’ve had bloods done since I had my son in 2007 so definitely think it’s time to see what’s going on.
scary but I’d definitely rather know will give it a couple of weeks as I did hit it hard over Christmas so give my body some time to adjust

Hi I'm a late joiner.
I don't drink every day, but drink too much on the weekend. A bottle of wine on Friday, Saturday and sometimes half on a Sunday.
I think my problem is that I can't remember what a weekend is like without a drink and how to make it different from a boring week.
I do have hobbies and make sure to
sign up to morning exercise classes so I don't feel groggy and love to wake up feeling refreshed so will focus on that. I've never done dry January before as never thought it would be achievable. I shall give it a good go this year. This weekend is pretty easy as have drunk more than enough over Xmas and new year so glad of a break. Next weekend will be more challenging.

Good morning, hope you're all still hanging on.

I did a lot of cooking last night. Usually I'd have wine while cooking as part of my "me time". I was worried that the cravings would kick in. To overcome this I listened to The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober on audible. It kept me on track and reinforced my resolve.

That's four nights in the bank now.

Almost caved in last night, proper wobble. I stuck it out with an AF beer (Moretti, not bad). Onto day 5 for me. If I get through today I'll have beaten last year's effort.

@coastergirl start again on Monday!

I'm doing ok. Have a cold which is helping.

I'm trying to think of it positively too - "yay I've stopped drinking", rather than "wonder how long I can cope without booze".

Have bought some Sentia Spirits which felt very pricey until I realised that's only four pints in my local pub, which i used to spend without batting an eye.

Will let you folks know if they are any good. I have adhd diagnosis and the need to turn off my thoughts is a massive reason I used to drink (seen what I did there?!)

Also HALT is vvvvv true - I used to drink when I was hungry, angry, lovely or tired

Hi everyone, I had to give up drinking several years ago when I suddenly developed an allergy to it. I was a bit taken aback at first I can tell you!
I found a podcast called over the influence that was set up by a BBC radio journalist called Sharon Hartley. They talk about giving up the booze the benefits and the fun on the other side. It really helped me maybe anyone on this thread who wants to get some extra support could give it a listen. It's free! And very upbeat.

Morning everyone

Feel good today. Took me ages to get to sleep last night which was annoying as I was tired. I was thinking about random things though.
Usually after drinking I wake early &'can't get back to sleep. This morning I woke early & snuggled back down for a lovely snooze. Absolutely blissful
DH didn't drink last night. Be interesting to see if me not drinking influences him a little bit 🤞

This is a handy reminder...for the psychology of getting back involved in change rather than convincing yourself you can't do it etc..you are the one in control. That self talk can be a bugger when it's negative, self deprecating

Day 4 for me...I woke up about 5 times for the toilet in the night - wonder if I'm shedding some of the excess fluid build up / bloat. Also having crazy vivid dreams.

Yesterday was difficult as it was my partners bday/weekend but made it through with a nice steak dinner

Today I'm making a planner for fitness and healthy eating starting on Monday. Love my kiddoes but looking forward to them going back so I can go to the gym and classes in the day

Will be going healthy food shopping and another frosty walk later today :)

What vitamins/ supplements do you guys take / recommend - I've got a cupboard full so might have everything I need. Got some electrolyte balance tablets the other day

That is such a positive reminder @tiger2691 , that we can learn from our relapses.
Each setback can give us new self- knowledge,and, hopefully, tools to help us move forward.
We are not perfect, and most of us don't get it right first time, but hopefully we don't get it so wrong either - although that also can be easier said than done! I have made the same mistakes over and over while thinking " this time will be different" , um, no.
Determination to keep trying is a good place to start, and we are all in it for that.

Me too! Crazy dreams. Poor sleep overall. Today a cracking headache with no obvious reason (not dehydrated and on day four alco-free).
I wasn’t a daily drinker so it can’t be a straight up withdrawal process. But anyway how exciting my body is sorting itself out and I’m on the way to the healthy status of being ethanol free.