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

Not exactly struggling tonight, but I'm home alone as DH and DS have gone to the rugby and won't be back until late, so this would normally be my excuse to watch crap TV with a glass of wine. It's as @CandyLeBonBon said - it's the habit I'm missing, rather than the wine itself.

I've stuck some Fizzero in the fridge instead so I can have something other than water and out of a wine glass - hopefully that will do the job!

Climb back on board, wow 14 days over Christmas no booze!! That’s amazing I had 75 days under my belt but caved in December wasn’t strong enough to see Christmas through without the booze so you done better than me I wish I could have said otherwise I would have been over 100 days now if I didn’t start again!! Start back tmw you can still do this 👍🏻

Thanks all. You are right of course, a blip is a blip, and I'm sure I'll get back on track. It's just so annoying, because it seemed like it was actually fairly easy. Until it wasn't! As coined by a pp the 'wine whispers' started late afternoon, then before I knew it I was "getting that bottle out of the fridge" while I was cooking and tidying. Ugh.

I suppose the lesson is it's easy when it's easy. But the real test is in those moments when you are really genuinely tempted or forget your goal. Hopefully writing this will help me remember next time..!

Well done everyone, I'm rooting for you xx

Please don't leave the thread. You have done 14 days which over Christmas is petty amazing. You had a blip tonight but draw a line under it and start again tomorrow. Be proud of what you achieved

Honestly I’ve had lots of day 1s but they all add up even cutting back will improve our health, these temptations can come out of nowhere it’s really easy to get caught of guard but what I have learned is to get straight back on board you will accumulate lots of days where you would have drunk the less the better so don’t be too hard on yourself, it’s happened you’ve been honest and that takes a lot so well done and reset 😊

I can’t help with a decent AF red wine recommendation I’m afraid but what’s the white you’ve found?

Day 4 nearly done and dusted. Got the wine witch whispers earlier but went and did the washing up instead. Am on apple juice & tonic now. Oh my glam Sat night - my younger self would be laughing her head off, but I'm hanging on to the fact that I'll feel better tomorrow morning than she would......

And for those who've had a blip: blip, schmip. Start again and move serenely on like a swan. If this was so easy, we wouldn't need to be checking in on a thread so don't beat yourself up.

Almost at the end of day 4. I've not really had any cravings today (despite it being the weekend) but I just feel a bit flat/slightly depressed. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Checking in dry, end of day 5. I was also ok tonight (surprisingly). I have eaten more chocolate, a reoccurring theme. Hope it doesn’t affect my sleep.

The m+s AF Malbec is drinkable - tbh it tastes a bit like ribena, but it did feel like I was drinking a red wine when I had it. It isn't expensive either, so nothing really lost!

Just been reading a bit on google about the relationship between dopamine and alcohol..no wonder its addictive. It's deceptive though as the nice and relaxed, numbing carefree buzz feelings are short lived and when those levels drop when the body tries to balance itself out again = low mood, flat affect, anxious, irritable, aches and pains and same old issues and problems are still there to face

I am in a foul mood.

Terrible sleep the past two nights have left me really irritable and achey. Had afternoons naps yesterday and today and still tired. Snapping at everyone and no joy. Had a stressful day with DS as well, hard to be happy. I REALLY wanted a wine but glad to have had a peroni 0 nearby which helped and tastes nothing like wine so got me through the craving.

I remember on day 5 (tomorrow) last year I had the worst dry mouth imaginable… we were out and I drank around 5 pints of water, but from the following day I felt better. I wonder if it will happen again next year.

I'm not drinking enough water, need to remember that and aim for 2L a day to help the detox speed up a bit.

urgh. Glad I didn’t cave but solidarity to those who did. It’s not easy.

I really bloody fancied a beer/wine/gin/whatever this evening. However, I've ridden it out and had a 0% G&T and some dried fruit (steady) instead.

I accidentally marked today as a dry day on the app while fiddling with my phone at 1am so I was committed in any case.

Been lurking a while but now checking in on day 4 of no booze.

I'd love to say I'm feeling amazing but my sleep has been all over the place the last few days!

Currently drinking AF martini and tonic which is actually really nice - quite bitter, not sweet like a lot of soft drinks.

Well done to everyone so far on cutting the alcohol out (or down, because that's great as well).

Off to bed, seem to have shaken off my irritable mood.

I've noticed that since I've been dry, I've not been biting my nails. I am often annoyed that I wake up after a boozy night having had a real go at my nails.

Well done everyone. Those who've had a slip, don't beat yourself up . We're all here to support each other.

Day 4 for me. Took a bit of time to drop off last night but once asleep, slept well which is great. Feel like I've got more energy but no sign of weight dropping off or fantastic skin. Early days though.

Pierre Chavin Zero Sav Blanc is the best one I've found.

I'm going to include lots of dopamine and serotonin boosting foods into my diet starting Monday and make sure I'm focusing on getting amino acids too

Well done everyone, keep going! Day 4 has been a long one...or maybe I've just got more time now ha

Check in tommo

Lucky Saint beer with dinner.

Feel a bit bored around 830/9 so I think early nights will become inevitable.

Well done everyone. Those who have had a blip please stay here!
I had some nosecco and watched tv. I was so bored and really wanted a drink to numb the boredom. Also didn’t help that my relationship of 6 years is not going well. Partner and I would just drink together and far too much. He is doing DJ too and I realise that we have never really spent a single weekend together sober. I think I drank a lot to mask the boredom tbh.😒

Also my skin has exploded with spots. It looks awful!

Sorry to hear this, if you’re anything like I am at the moment you’re irritable and distracted as you adjust to DJ, it takes a bit of mental effort! I’d probably give each other some space for a week and then revisit. Do you have any games you can play together if you’re into that, or any other activities? I get it… my favourite thing in the world pre kids with DH was making dinner together and drinking wine!

The first Saturday done, well done DJers !
@Shanda5 good AF red wine does not exist, but have you tried AF mulled wine, 30secs in the microwave and served in a wine glass is reminiscent of a spicey shiraz or malbec

Don’t forget the weather change doesn’t help… sudden cold spell with more central heating. Have you started using any new retinols or active face creams? I always break out the first few weeks it’s horrible

Day 4 done 👏👏👏
I'm in bed. I had a AF corona watched tv and came to bed around 9pm, I've read some quit lit now I'm struggling to keep my eyes open.
DP has had a drink last night and tonight, it didn't bother me that he had a drink and I thought it would although he only had 2 whisky and cokes and I can't stand whisky so that might be why.
Day 5 here we come tomorrow 👍💪