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Dry January and beyond

998 replies

BulldogMumma · 23/12/2024 07:03

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

OP posts:
CandyLeBonBon · 05/01/2025 10:08

Morning all! Really feeling the joy of not drinking. My resting heart rate has gone down from 77bpm to 66bpm. I'm sleeping better (when my elderly dog isn't waking me up every 2 hours 🥱), I feel more focused and alert and more able to crack on with things and my quality of sleep is definitely improved.

I have actually craved dry January this year - I tend to over indulge over Christmas and by the end of it I just feel like a slug. I feel like my body's had a spring clean!

How's everyone doing? Well done for getting through the first Saturday! One day at a time eh? 🤗

BigButtons · 05/01/2025 10:09

Quit lit:
I have read/ listened to quite a lot of it over the years. I might be missing something,but I haven’t found any that discusses the difficulties of getting the first few weeks under your belt. It talks about all the advantages of giving up, the effects of alcohol etc etc- all the guests on podcasts seem to gloss over how those first few weeks were for them, how they felt, how they suffered and how they managed to stay sober.
This part seems to be missing. Can anyone recommend something I could listen to that gives that kind of advice?
we are all so supportive on here but it would be great to have a hand hold, advice, what to watch out for etc.

40andlovelife · 05/01/2025 10:21

BigButtons · 05/01/2025 10:09

Quit lit:
I have read/ listened to quite a lot of it over the years. I might be missing something,but I haven’t found any that discusses the difficulties of getting the first few weeks under your belt. It talks about all the advantages of giving up, the effects of alcohol etc etc- all the guests on podcasts seem to gloss over how those first few weeks were for them, how they felt, how they suffered and how they managed to stay sober.
This part seems to be missing. Can anyone recommend something I could listen to that gives that kind of advice?
we are all so supportive on here but it would be great to have a hand hold, advice, what to watch out for etc.

The Annie Grace book goes through each day at a time quite nicely. I'm pretty sure Catherine grays book talks about the early days too.

Buntyforgirls · 05/01/2025 10:35

Yes@BigButtons , Annie Grace also has a free 30 day on line session that takes it day by day. I found it really helpful. Might be called This Naked Mind?

hby9628 · 05/01/2025 10:52

Morning all
Well done everyone especially those who have been out socialising with others who drink
I've had a mega lie in today. My restless legs are so much better from not drinking. Very pleased about that.

BigButtons · 05/01/2025 11:31

I have just signed up to this naked mind companion guide. $23 - gotta be worth it- I hope?

Neptunium93 · 05/01/2025 11:38

Day 5 already 😊... When I first started, a month seemed like a long time, but last year I found that the time sped up after a few days, and this year seems to be going the same way.

Last night I made a cocktail out of Sentia (the red one) and Trip lemon & basil, which was very refreshing, if a bit sweeter than I'd like. The black Sentia is less sweet so I might get some more of that, or some Seedlip gin, which I had in a restaurant once with a fevertree tonic, and was delicious.

One thing I find hard is that I eat a mainly (vegan) Mediterranean diet, and of course wine goes brilliantly with it. Does anyone have suggestions for meals that go well with beer? I can't think of anything except maybe a vindaloo!

@BigButtons , regarding getting through the first few days / weeks... a friend was told she had to give up drinking permanently, which was incredibly daunting for her. She found that it helped to tell herself "I won't have a drink today, but I won't commit to tomorrow". That took the pressure off in the early weeks, which were the hardest. After a couple of months she was happily sober.

Best of luck, everyone. For anyone struggling, the worst of the detox phase should be over by now, so it will get easier, with more noticeable benefits.

Summervibes24 · 05/01/2025 12:20

@Neptunium93 - yes Day 1 seems to take forever but then time does speed up. For me not drinking becomes the new (almost!) normal after a while so I'm not expending as much energy on thinking about it as I do in the early days.

BulldogMumma · 05/01/2025 12:25

@Neptunium93 I used to find beer went well with a Sunday roast.
Has anyone found it's getting easier? Or harder? Last night was the hardest for me because it was Saturday but I'm glad I managed it. I'm enjoying all the early nights I'm having too rather than staying up trying to make my wine last that bit longer.
The AF drinks and quit lit aswell as this thread are what's keeping me going, I'm learning I don't need a bottle of wine just because my favourite programmes are on tv.

OP posts:
Flicitytricity · 05/01/2025 12:40

It's interesting to hear about AF alternatives, good to hear there is obviously a growing market for them🙂
I feel horribly embarrassed to say I'm not interested in them, because I liked the effect alcohol had on me, didn't care much about the taste.
That's awful isn't it? I'd have ended up on meths😔

I'm still finding it okay, no desperate, raging need for a drink. My downfall in the past has been to think 'well, I've gone a fortnight without drinking, therefore I clearly don't have a drink problem, so will just have a glass of wine with dinner'.....

I'm not doing that this time!

We're all doing great 👍

Fordian · 05/01/2025 12:41

Another poor night's sleep, but not as bad as seeing in every hour the previous night! But I (accidentally) compensated via finally waking up at 11:20am 😬 - which will wreck tonight's sleep BUT I will find it easier to resist wine tonight if I'm not dog-tired which is what I was, last night.

Fundays12 · 05/01/2025 12:45

Well done everyone so far. It's day 8 for me this is genuinely the longest i have ever not drunk in over 5 years. Sunday isn't a day I would ever drink anyway so shouldn't be an issue. It's Thurs, Fri and sat are my problem days 🙈.

FollowFollowTheFold · 05/01/2025 12:48

I would highly recommend the book Dopamine Nation. I listened to it on audible and I'm now working through the accompanying workbook (from Amazon). It deals with all sorts of addictive behaviours. I'm day 5 AF today and finding it so helpful to work through the book.

catatonique · 05/01/2025 13:11

I am so bloody ill the thought of booze makes me feel sick so that helps

BulldogMumma · 05/01/2025 13:43

@Flicitytricity that's exactly what I used to do

OP posts:
hby9628 · 05/01/2025 13:46

Small win today...we have snow, kids wanted to play in it. We were out the door within 15mins of the suggestion to find sledging. Had a great couple of hours. Now home for bacon butties and to warm up. That quick exit wouldn't have happened if my head was fuzzy
Going to have a lovely bath and read my book this pm whilst the others watch the footy

TimeForNosecco · 05/01/2025 14:02

feel like this will be the longest afternoon of my life on way down to family’s rented cottage and everyone has jumped out the car to get booze!! Oh here we go lots of fake smiling time 😂 does anyone else hate socialising when sober because I hate it!! Every one thinks something is wrong because you’re not being loud or getting involved!! Wish me luck 🤪 I hope the food is good 😂

Neptunium93 · 05/01/2025 14:07

@TimeForNosecco , absolutely. I found I used to drink more when socialising than when on my own at home, because basically some social events are pretty tiresome in one way or another. In recent years I mostly stay dry when out, and give myself permission to leave when I want to. Although I suppose if you are stuck in a cottage with the family that isn't an option! 😉

ThriveIn2025 · 05/01/2025 14:23

@TimeForNosecco last year I did daytime clubbing sober. I’m in no rush to repeat. Felt mega awkward the entire time!

My sleep is also still patchy but despite this I feel more rested than when I used to pass out from wine as soon as my head hit the pillow. Day 6 for me and I’m looking forward to getting the kids back to school next week (even if that means a return to work for me). I crave the structure school gives the week.

Littletinytarzanswingingfromanosehair · 05/01/2025 15:11

I'm finding it ok so far...
Came down with what I thought was a cold on Wednesday and still ill today but loss of smell and tastes. Done a lateral flow and it's tested positive to for COVID.
Been AF since 26th, I was hoping to be feeling like a new woman by now 😂 xx

Flicitytricity · 05/01/2025 15:11

I REALLY crave a drink.
Going to have a cup of tea and think of something to do this afternoon 🤔

TimeForNosecco · 05/01/2025 15:50

Thanks for the replies not to bad atm I mean everyone is drinking apart from me and my partner I’ve dived into the crisp and mince pies.
hopefully we won’t stay to long but we are dropping family home so won’t be easy to just check out the cottage is beautiful though about 500 years old on a farm so I keep walking round admiring every positive I guess 😊

Flicitytricity · 05/01/2025 16:06

TimeForNosecco · 05/01/2025 15:50

Thanks for the replies not to bad atm I mean everyone is drinking apart from me and my partner I’ve dived into the crisp and mince pies.
hopefully we won’t stay to long but we are dropping family home so won’t be easy to just check out the cottage is beautiful though about 500 years old on a farm so I keep walking round admiring every positive I guess 😊

But just keep imaging how you'll feel arriving home sober and content 🙂

AuraBora · 05/01/2025 17:25

Checking in on Day 5 and good to see everyone's updates.

I haven't had any inclination to drink this weekend apart from a moment in the drinks aisle at Tesco around 4pm yesterday when I was looking for a nice non-alcoholic drink.
I ended up getting some fever tree ginger beer but would not recommend it!

I didn't cave and it passes quickly but my goodness I have felt awful today. Some weird brain fog and dull headache - think it's probably lack of fresh air (abysmal depressing weather) and possibly also lack of food. Drinking makes me eat a lot more and I just haven't felt hungry for 3 days.

Tomorrow I must get on with a healthy eating plan and get in some exercise.
Good luck for this week everyone!

Els1e · 05/01/2025 17:29

Day 5 for me. Had another bad night's sleep. Guess I have a lot of toxins to purge. I keep telling myself this time will pass.