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

Day 7 aquafit then yoga class today was feeling accomplished but my DS isn't speaking to me for reasons unknown so now feeling a bit flat tbh pesky kids

Day 6 done 👍
I've had the wine witch in my ear tonight but I've had a AF corona instead.
Im getting more things done on an evening now im not spending my evenings drinking wine.
Ill be in bed early again tonight with my quit lit but I like the early nights and early mornings feeling clear headed

Day 6 completed. I'm cream crackered. For those thinking of starting healthy eating in a week or two..great idea ..also it will break up January and give a new thing to focus on but anything that's helping stay off the booze is a win so don't beat yourselves up you're doing amazing. In my experience it gets a lot easier I reckon after 2 weeks, new night time, morning and weekend habits are formed. Day 7 tomorrow for me :)

I'm so unfit I realised today! I did a legs, bums and tums class and could not keep up the pace or exercises! Completely different to this time last year. I weighed myself as well and was so shocked - I'm the heaviest I've ever been and it needs to change. Still motivated at the moment..I walked past a long mirror too and need to sort my posture out! It's like I've been in a cave for a year haha

Hello all, hope it’s ok to join? I’ve been on another alcohol support thread on here but it is quite quiet at the moment and I think I need the support of a busier thread!

Im on day 5 having started on 2 Jan and doing ok so far. I’ve been drinking far too much for a few years now. I managed dry Jan last year and had another few 30 day dry streaks but always restarted by thinking I could just have a drink out with friends. And then I’d fall back into bad habits of drinking daily at home.

im determined to stay off alcohol for rest of jan and probably longer but not thinking too far ahead yet.

Hope everyone is doing ok

Checking in for day 6. Monday is usually a sober night for me anyway so no drama here. However I'm worried for later in the week and definitely the weekend.

@Limeandsoda2023 welcome! It's a lovely supportive thread. I check in at least once a day it helps me be accountable,
@fuzzylegs33 weekends are hard for me too, but we've done one weekend so what's 3 more. We're all here to support when it gets hard, that's the great thing about this thread.

Day 12 for me.
One thing, I have an insatiable appetite, however I have completely lost my taste and smell thanks to catching COVID over new year so it's pointless!

Welcome @Limeandsoda2023 I’m Mamma G 👋 new name for the new year.

Day 7 for me. I had a very productive day and only ate 4 chocolates tonight so a significant improvement! Long may the self restraint continue!

Oh and I had a consultation with the GP today re; anxiety/ panic attacks and hives.

I have been put on fluoxetine, I'm taking tomorrow after my morning meeting. Apparently it can keep you awake and it's the last thing I need right now.

Thanks for the welcomes. What a fabulous username @ThriveIn2025 - am sure the positivity of the name will be reflected in real life.

Day 6 down, bosh! It’s definitely the habits where the danger lies. Back at work and wouldn’t normally drink on a Monday so today hasn’t been too tricky. Next danger point will be Weds evening though. I work away some of the week so used to crack a glass or 3 when i got back. I think this week i’ll have an early night instead and swerve it that way. Keep on keeping on, everyone!

Hope it helps you, let us know how you get on? Also - does GP think the hives are linked to the anxiety? I ask as I’ve had weird symptoms like that before and never made a connection between them

Hi, after I caved on day 2 I had a rough few days, but I'm back on it now. Didn't drink last night or tonight. I think I was probably drinking a lot more than most. I'm throwing everything at it. A few apps including one that has lots of educational reading on it around the science behind addiction, and the steps to beat it. I've been reading that tonight. I've also downloaded a hypnotherapy session designed to cause alcohol aversion. I think I probably need to quit completely (but I don't want to because I love red wine and it's how I relax, but it's ruining my life). I'm aiming for 31 days for now but hoping to continue.

You can do this!! I also love wine and it’s the hardest thing to give up especially at weekends or when I go out for dinner.
Good luck to you I’m aiming for 100 days this time I managed 75 days last year but couldn’t face Christmas sober I wasn’t strong enough

Morning everyone well done to you all day 7 here and sleep is finally starting to improve!!
back to my normal routine this week looking forward to getting back to my gym classes and eating a lot more healthier.
Wishing you all a great day you’re all doing amazing 👍🏻

Day 10 for me today which is the longest I have been off booze in year's. I really am starting to feel better for it. I looked quite bloated over Christmas but it's started to go. My skin looks better to. I feel better physically and mentally. I have been reading the unexpected joys of being sober book and some of it resonates with me. I have never drank to the extent the author did but I can see how it ended up at that level of drinking.

Good morning! My goodness that was the most horrendous sleep, this is day 7 today. Does anyone have any tips? or do I just need to ride it out. I'm having horrible dreams. I've been up since 3.50am.
On the plus side I'm feeling positive and haven't really had any cravings so far.

I’m the same, doing well at DJ but sleeping terribly. 1am last night, worry maybe o went to
the gym too late?? I’m so tired and look awful.

I'm on Day 10 too (apparently alcohol has fully left my system now and any cravings are purely psychological). I'm going to be working on understanding my triggers this week. I was listening to a podcast yesterday and they mentioned the more you do things sober the easier it gets, Christmas is hard to be sober as we only get to practice it once a year - I was sober for Xmas 2023 but Xmas 2024 defeated me. Makes sense as I like to go to the theatre in the afternoon and over the years I've stopped drinking at the theatre and now it's a lot easier (slip up the odd time but mostly successful). Big triggers for me are stress, holidays, sunny days and certain friends (one of which I'm going on a sunny holiday with in March, yikes!)

From my own experience it’s a case of riding it out, I do take magnesium supplements 2hrs before bed maybe they help
Also I find I sleep better if I’ve been outside for a walk that day.
Good luck with it 👍🏻

Morning. My sleep was better last night too. I did Pilates last night so wonder if that helped. I'm so comfy in bed though I don't want to get up which isn't ideal when I need to get the kids moving!

My sleep is shot too. I now look like my dad - not a great look as I'm a 60 year old woman while he's hmmm 85.

sorry to hear that no it’s not great!! Honestly it will improve just takes time but once your there it will be the best sleep you have, the only downside is once or if you go back to drinking the quality of your sleep will be rubbish as even one drink effects the rem sleep cycles so it’s a lot to think about but that’s my personal experience from taking 3 months of last year. I don’t want to preach but If you look up sleep and alcohol it explains how much havoc it causes I hope it improves for you soon

It's already a week! Has been much easier this time around - guess it's because of my previous attempts, I know more about what it is normal to expect, and have some personal tools to deal with cravings.
@Summervibes24, my triggers are exactly the same. Although I started to manage the warm, summer days last year (we don't get many to practice though!) so, as you said, the more I do it, the easier it will become. Like now, I never even think of drinking when cooking dinner which was unthinkable a few years ago, but I got there in the end.
Aren't we doing well just to keep exploring options and looking for solutions?!

Well done everyone and welcome to those joining us. Slept like a log last night and feel good this morning. Today marks the one week point for me. Woo hoo