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

Same!

I'm in too. Never did dry anything before. I was unwell a couple of years ago and didn't drink for about 5 months. But it wasn't hard because I was very I'll. Myself and DH drink way too much. No DC. We've a family meal on the 1st I'm going to drive so a good start. Don't think DH is up for DJ but has said he's giving up drinking at home, we'd usually have at least one bottle of wine weeknights, and we'd be out Saturday or Sunday afternoon pub lunch and few G+T s at home. Have a weekend away with old school friends mid January but they're not really drinkers. So hopefully be doable. See you all next year 😁

I'd like to join please.
My reliance on drinking has crept up over the last few years. 2-3 nights has turned into 5-6 nights. As a pp said, it's that "ahhh" moment. But then it goes beyond the nice ahh and turns into several glasses of wine on a random Tuesday. And then the guilt that I'm doing myself the world of no good and setting a terrible example to the DC too.

As it happens, I've been ill over Christmas so haven't had a drink for 8 days now nor could I fancy one anytime soon. I almost feel like this is a cheat, but I'm going to ignore that feeling, take it as the only advantage of a rubbish Christmas and run with it through Jan. I'd love to get to the point where I could enjoy a glass with dinner very occasionally or at rare events, but I'm worried that I will never be capable of moderation like I used to be. Oh well, one step at a time.

Good luck everyone x

I’d like to join. I managed 2 weeks of DJ last year. Was better than nothing. Hoping to get further this time. I am trying to shrug off a gastric bug atm- which helps.
good luck to us all.

I'm keen!

Planning on staying dry for a min of 100 days.

@Janufairy although I hate being unwell it would keep me off the wine. It's not cheating, you're not drinking so take it as a win.
I'm toying with the idea of starting from now or just waiting until Jan 1st, I know I'd struggle with a dry NYE but like has been said before there's always going to be occasions that cone up.

I'm toying with claiming I'm ill so I can avoid NYE 🤦‍♀️
Anxiety through the roof after drinking on Saturday.

I will join. I drink quite a bit but this year I lost my Mum and my drinking is out of control.
I'm 40 and worried I won't be around for my kids. I wish just having kids was enough to make me stop but I find it really hard.

Sending love @QuacketyQuack 💐 try not to talk negatively to yourself and focus on the positives.

@ERN79 who would you be cancelling on? Distant acquaintances or close friends who want the best for you?

Close friends, BUT their house will be full of people so although we're close I wouldn't be missed if that makes sense?
Plus as much as I'm close friends with this person she's a very very heavy drinker. Socialising with them always involves alcohol.
I have sometimes managed to just pop in, not drink & make my excuses. But it's rare.
I have done OK recently moderating, but Saturday I was drunk. Thinking back I'd hardly eaten so don't think that helped.
I just hate the after effects of alcohol, I don't feel they're worth it anymore. I feel anxious & exhausted.

You're exactly the same as me.
We've got this

I'd like to join, I know my body and mind need a break from alcohol.

I've just read The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober, really good, non judgemental and resonated with how I drink. I'm around 3 times a week but I'm definitely more focused on alcohol than I used to be, and I feel like I could be a problem drinker.

I've failed at Dry January before, I didn't tell anyone I was doing it, in case I failed, which I did.

My partner is doing DJ too.

I have an invite to an evening at a friend's house, lots of people, on the 3rd January and I intended to drive. I'm not going to go, I'll make an excuse, the pressure to drink at this time of year is intense so I'd rather avoid it.

Good luck everyone.

Thanks OP for this thread.

I should have said, 3 times per week, with very little memory. Time to get a grip.

I drank so much yesterday. I’m a secret drinker, sneaking glugs of spirits when no one is looking. I don’t think sharing a bottle of wine with my husband will be enough for me so have to have some vodka secretly.
anxiety riddled hangovers where I just wish the hours away and can barely look after my kids. I want to stop.

@Comeonicandoit you can do it, we're all in this together. I'm glad I started this thread to have the support from others when it gets tough.
What usually happens with me is I'll have a few days off, feel great then tell myself see I don't have a problem then I end up drinking again.
It's a vicious cycle

Thanks
yes that’s me too, no problem not drinking Sunday to Thursday. Then Friday arrives and it’s hard to recall how awful the Sunday hangover was, plus I won’t have as much this time, right?

Can I join please. My drinking has been creeping up. I love wine and have been drinking it five nights a week, which is far too much.
I will go for DJ and see where I go from there.
I’ve already offered to drive for a friends birthday in mid Jan.

I just need to give my body a break.

I'm in. Did DJ last year and definitely felt better for it, as it went hand in hand with less snacking and earlier nights. I will give myself one weekend off though as we've got a weekend away with family and there will be much booze involved.

Long term I'd like to cut back without being totally dry. Not sure what that looks like at the moment, maybe no weekend drinking or only drinking when I'm out, something like that. But definitely a reduction on December which has been very wet!

I'm also in. Did dry January last year and it was a good reset. Looking to complete 100 dry days this time.

Just watched the Panorama episode mentioned. I was concerned to find that a binge session is 6+ units in one day. Half a bottle of wine is 5. I’d easily have a couple of beers or ciders, then half a bottle of wine, then gin. And I was concerned to learn of the impact binging has on the likelihood of developing liver disease. And that there aren’t any symptoms until it’s too late. Liver disease is rising as a cause of death in women in their 40s. Surely my binging twice a week will result in this disease.

@Comeonicandoit I was drinking a full bottle every night! I will have to give it a watch

I can't watch it yet. I know it will be a wake-up call but I will have a panic attack if I watch it now.

Id love to join. Ive never even tried to dry January before, but need to do something to break my binge drinking habit. I saw the panorama a few weeks ago and it shocked me but not enough it seems

@SatinHeart welcome!
I'm going to watch the documentary tomorrow, if I dare. I've got my quit lit at the ready too.
I won't lie I'm scared about doing this, I've attempted it once before and failed miserably. You'd think losing my mum to it and watching what it did to her would stop me but nope I ramped it up.
We're all in this together though and we're here to support each other

Joining after a boozy December and really needing to feel the benefits of more water less booze!