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

I have decided to do dry January. I feel terrible the next day after I drink alcohol now and really am starting to think my body is saying to stop.

I have 3 kids (one with very complex additional support needs) so am fairly stressed at times but alcohol doesn't help that.

Thankfully my social life doesn't revolve around alcohol (quite the opposite really as I am quite outdoorsy and into the gym etc) but I do enjoy wine at home. I have realised recently that I can take of leave any other alcoholic drink but over indulge on wine so I need to stop drinking it. Part of my plan to keep on track is to ensure I have things arranged for early weekend mornings as I won't drink if I have to drive first thing.

I am interested in journaling. Please can you tell me exactly how it helps? At the moment I can't see how it helps if you see what I mean? I'm willing to try it though. Well done on your progress! Looking younger is fab for your self esteem

I have also ordered alcohol lied to me book by Craig Beck. It's got excellent reviews and isn't preachy.

I am just reading this thread and wondering whether to drink red or white wine tonight - I am in NZ and it is 6.30pm. It seems really bad to be wondering that and reading a thread about giving up alcohol for a month😂

Happy New Year everyone😁

@40andlovelife I find it kept me accountable to myself. You don't have to write much, but just the discipline of doing it every day keeps you checking in on your feelings and gives you a sense of progress.
Also it helps you identify triggers, what thoughts make you think about having a drink etc, and that way you can respond when those thoughts start to intrude. I just found it helped so much with awareness - in a positive way.

10.30 here. I'm wfh. I just opened the fridge to see a half open bottle of Prosecco & thought oh quite fancy a glass.
That's a sign that Christmas has been too boozy! I stepped away & made a cup of tea instead

@skipandwhistle thank you this makes sense. I have ordered this journal from Amazon and it arrives Friday, excited!

I also plan to watch the Panorama documentary on New Year's Day evening.

Drinking amongst women should be a national concern .

I am just about to rewatch it. It's a huge eye opener and talks about marketing ploys aimed at woman to get them to drink.

@Fundays12 oh yes it's definitely contrived by the alcohol industry. It has led women to believe they need to drink to relax/ be sociable/ have fun/ fit in/ be sexy etc etc. Catherine greys book ' the unexpected joy of being sober' is really good at looking at this issue. It's piss funny too, so if anyone on here hasn't read it yet I definitely recommend it.

There's going to be a massive increase in women developing liver issues in the next decade partly due to the habits we developed during lockdown, I don't want to be part of this statistic!

Thanks for the recommendation I will have a read of it. It's actually terrifying the way it's marketed at woman when I reality it's not funny or sociable to be so barely able to walk or throwing up or dying from liver disease.

I'm in. Joined a gym and want to get my monies worth so booze will have to stop.

My first aim is to actually go to the gym regularly for the first month and dropping the alcohol will help so much. That plus other things means I'm busy everyday during the week and most weekends so will hopefully keep me occupied.

Grown a belly over the past 6 months shockingly fast so need to do everything I can to tackle it and dropping booze just makes sense.

I've just ordered the unexpected joy of being sober

Going to watch panorama tomorrow 👍 💪

Day 1 for me today. Last night I drank more than a bottle of white wine by myself at home. Felt rough this morning and although I had promised myself one last blowout tonight, I just want to stop.

If I manage not to drink tonight it will be the first New Year’s Day I’ve woken up sober in more than a decade.

Have you got in any nice alcohol free alternatives? I am just going to the shop to get some. Well done on your first day.

Can I join please? I drink far too much, promise myself every day that I'll not drink, but by 7pm am more often than not on my way to buy wine. I did 10 months sober in 2022 -23, but life threw a couple of curved balls and I started again. I also lost my mum this year to cancer (not alcohol related).
I follow a couple of people on Instagram: Sober Dave
Sassysobermum
They're both very good and there's lots more out there. Not drinking tonight.

@Fundays12 no I don’t but I’m feeling pretty rough so I don’t think I’ll be having a late one. Pint of squash and bed for me tonight.

I'm in! I did Dry January last year (hence the username, which I've kept in the hope that it might inspire me to do it again and not drift back into my old habits this time).

I've dug out the unexpected joy of being sober, plus this naked mind.
I know I'll drink tonight but it was planned already for me to stop tomorrow.
DD17 is staying with a friend tonight so it's just me, dp, DD20 and DD9. I've bought party food for tea.
Does anyone know of a decent alcohol free wine? There's good AF versions of beer and gin but I'm yet to find a good one for wine

@IWanderedLonely I do that too, promise myself no wine but come 7pm I'm finding excuses to go to the shop.
Thanks for the Instagram recommendations I'll give them a follow

I hope your feeling better soon. I just bought no alcohol flexinet wine (i really like the alcohol version so am hoping the no alcohol one is as good) and no alcohol kopperberg which i know is lovely. There was a lot of people buying no alcohol wines etc which surprised me.

If that's your trigger time can you find something to keep you busy then.instsd? Go for a walk, meet a friend but drive, go to the gym etc?

Flexinet alcohol free was recommended by a few people to me so I have bought it for tonight. I like alcohol free kopperberg but put it in a wine glass.

Has anyone tried Trip drinks as an alternative. I've just been reading a bit about them. Amazon have them on offer so think I might try them.

Yes I really like the pink elderflower one @hby9628 it tastes like a gentle mojito! I recommend a taste test though to check which ones you like!

I have just bought two packs of Trip from coop. 1 4x raspberry and orange flower 1 4x elderflower and mint.
Very refreshing indeed.

I have been taking CBD I'm different forms for a while to try and relax. I find it works for me.