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

And there have been occasions where I've embarrassed my husband or kids by saying/doing something silly which I would never have done sober, so I think it's about time I become a grown up (at 43!)

My biggest concern with giving up alcohol is my friends won't like me anymore. Isn't that silly?

Looking for support for a Dry January. Managed 6 weeks last New Year and felt really good about it but a holiday in March and daily wine drinking set me back on that path again.
I love drinking wine but it disrupts my sleep and upsets my stomach.
Don't know why I just rang stop.
I use it to self medicate anxiety but I know ultimately it doesn't help.
Really need to press a reset button for January..

@DrunkTinkerbell81 it is not at all unusual to feel that way, especially if your tend to drink when socialising with friends.

One of the things I have noticed since quitting is that very few of my friends actually drank as much as I did. (It's a bit embarrassing)

If anyone in this thread is interested, you are very welcome to join us on the long running AF thread here.

We are a lovely bunch of women committed to an alcohol free life l, so if you are interested in going beyond Dry January, we are your crew.

Morning all
Glad to see more people joining us. I feel like I drink more than all of you though.
So I've always liked a drink, I lost my mum last year and since then it's really ramped up, to a bottle of wine a night. I know it's ruining my health, even my partner has commented that I drink too much.
The last time I did a month sober was when I was pregnant ten years ago, like I said I've posted on the AF boards before but never saw it through.
2025 is the year I finally take back control

I really need to do this. I've always been a heavy drinker and love a glass of wine or two after work but over Christmas this has got to another level. I've drank so much as we've been socialising and every morning I've woken up with a hangover 😞. I'm scared I won't be able to do it though. My DH also drinks waaay too much and he's not up for dry January although does say he will cut down

Can I join please?
I need a reset.

Can I hop on board!
I have had atrocious drinking and eating habits this year and definitely need the kick start of DryJan so thank you for starting this thread☺️
I m with hard work and hard drinking in-laws on NYE so I'm a bit resigned to having a drink even though I'm quite ready to start a period of sobriety and healthier lifestyle.
I will see it as a final goodbye and I actually know myself I will probably not drink anywhere near as much as I normally would do on NYE.
I am finally ready to leave drinking in my past but do realise it's easier said than done.
Looking forward to checking in and supporting each other on January 1st 2025 x

I'm going to join!
I've always been a big drinker but, as with pp, it's crept up this year. I've had a couple of days off this week and have enjoyed the extra energy I've had the following day... imagine having that every day

I'd like to commit BUT I have a celebration weekend away with old friends in January. They will all be drinking. How can I navigate that AF??

I would like to join too, got into very bad wine drinking habits. I could cite many reasons but the main one is I love a glass of wine. The only trouble is that I have no off switch, and one leads to two etc etc.

So sorry about your Mum OP. If I had carried on drinking like I used to, that would have been me 😢 DH would say that he was terrified I would end up in an early grave, leaving him a widower & DD16 without a Mum. I haven’t touched alcohol since January & can’t tell you how much better I feel, physically & mentally. Gradually finding some good alcohol free substitutes. I do miss it sometimes, especially a chilled glass of white wine or a Southern Comfort which was one of my favourite spirits, but it’s so not worth going back. Lost 3 & a half stone too - at my heaviest I was over 16 stone, more than DH who is nearly a foot taller than me!

Morning all. I'd like to join you all if I may!
Currently dealing with anxiety after a night of drinking last night. It's just not worth it anymore.

I'm so sorry you lost your mum. This resonates with me though as I've always thought if something big happened in my life I know I would turn to drink to get through it, so I can understand how you've ended up where you are now xx holding your hand through this xx

I've really cut down since this autumn and have not exceeded 10-12 units a week by using the DrinkAware app. Can I still join as think a complete break would be good?

Hey was kindly directed here after posting a thread how I'm a binge drinker who doesn't know when to stop. Like a PP said, the anxiety is horrific and I'm sick of the cycle of heavy drinking.

Of course! Everyone's welcome

@DrunkTinkerbell81 thank you. Losing mum hit me hard but it's time to stop medicating with wine. I have a wonderful partner and kids and I owe it to them and myself to live a longer and healthier life

Sorry about your mum op 😔

I also lost my mum due to alcoholism. Now my brother is going the same way which is just unbelievable and shit. He has destroyed his life with alcohol and he's only in his early 40s.

Dry January sounds like a good start and I may decide I prefer not drinking at all or only on very special occasions

Hello to all, would like to join too please.
Like @WaterWall22 I have had a better Autumn than in many, many years, and managed to stay within recommended amounts, however, Christmas holiday drinking has been daily, and each morning I think " I won't drink today", until the little voice whispers, " Go on, it's Christmas". Not a lot, but it builds up, doesn't it?
Same past experiences as most of you- hangovers, embarrassment, anxiety, what did I overshare, trying to be healthy but still drinking poison - so doesn't make sense does it??
Maybe I'll start tonight instead of waiting, like@Melodyfair says, there will always be a test, and maybe NYE can be the first, as in the past I usually cave for "special" occasions, or when I think others expect me to drink too.
There is a lot to think about, isn't there?
Good luck!

If it helps, last year I put zero pressure on myself on Nye - it's not January yet etc, but I found that because I knew I was going to stop drinking, I cut down more naturally if that makes sense?

Also, to the pp asking about special events, some people last year excluded them and added the days on, or just said dey January but can't do these days. Some did special events but with alcohol free options. It really is up to you to set the rules and the thread was so non-judgmental!

I'm going to join too as I'm a terrible binge drinker, I know it's no good for my health physical or mental & no good for my wallet either!

Does anyone read quit lit?
I've got the naked mind by Annie Grace - started reading it before but never finished (surprise surprise). I might order some others too

Hi - I’m planning on Dry January too - hopefully extend to Dry 2025!

I've ordered The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober.... it's due to arrive tomorrow :)