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

They sell them at most supermarkets too before you go and buy in bulk! X

Amazon was 12 cans for £14 which didn't look a bad price compared to the supermarkets. It's got 3 different flavours.

I've just paid £10.50 for 8 from COOP so if you have Amazon prime that can work out ok. And normally I've only ever seen 2flavours at a time in shops.

I've ordered the pack of 12. It's for elderflower & mint, cucumber & mint & blood orange & rosemary.

Hi everyone I would like to join you all for dry January. Interested to see the benefits that come with it. Not read the whole thread will catch up with it.

Fundays12 yes, I will just get into my pyjamas and go to bed early with a bookend a hot chocolate. I probably give in too easily to my cravings. Having dandelion and burdock now. I've got a horrible cold which is making it easier.

I am planning a bath and early night reading my book to. I don't like new year so would rather sleep through the bells. Normally the cats keep hubby company as they don't like it fireworks so snuggle in.

I totally understand. I give into my cravings to easily to and it's not good for me. My plan this week is have things arranged early sat and Sunday morning to ensure I don't drink the night before as I have to drive to these places. Tomorrow morning we might take the kids to the inflatable park if the roads are not to flooded. The following weekend we have a babysitter booked but are planning a meal out and cinema but again will drive. I can't afford to go out drinking anyway..

M&S Fizzero (both the white and rose) are both perfectly acceptable alternatives. Not wine, but still a grown up flavour that does the job when poured into a wine glass.

I worked my way through quite a few last year - some are just too sweet, but there's definitely some good options out there, I often take a bottle if I'm driving nowadays.

I started with dry January last year and have just completed a full year of not drinking. I feel so much better and plan to stick with it as I slip back into bad habits if I try to moderate. Dh did it with me, we've saved a lot of money and lost weight as an added bonus.
Good luck everyone!

Well I am on day 3 of no alcohol. I felt so lousy after drinking on sat i am pretty put off. DH has had a couple of whisky to celebrate hogmanay but I stuck with alcohol free drinks. We watched most of a film but the signal went due to rubbish weather near the end of it. I started mindlessly scrolling Facebook reading some of the "had a fab year posts" and thought it's not like your going to go on social media and say I drink to much and my year was shit. I think I need to cut down my usage on it as I can see it being used as a marketing tool for drinks to.

That's amazing! Well done

Hello, can I join?

I've been drinking for the wrong reasons (escape/boredom/habit) and I am willing to admit that it's becoming a problem.

Tonight I have started. I went to a party and didn't drink, but I did find it a bit overwhelming when everyone else started getting louder and looser, so I made my excuses and left.

In my PJ's now with a cup of tea and feeling smug about not having a hangover tomorrow.

I really want to complete DRY January. If I could take a pill to make me never want a drink again - I'd do it. But as that doesn't exist, I'll have to do it the hard way.

@soberserene welcome!
Well I'm tucked up in bed. I had a few glasses of wine but couldn't take anymore of watching James bloody Bond so I've come to bed.
I know I'll wake up hangover free tomorrow which I'm pleased about.
Hope you've all had a lovely evening

Just did the quiz thingy on the try dry app. I'm stunned. I didn't think my drinking levels were that harmful but the app does. I drink on average twice a week. Also just learnt that a standard bottle of wine is 10 units. Wow. I thought I was pretty clever but I did not know that. In fact I think I have avoided ever googling that as I didn't want to know the answer.

I’m awake at 1am because I drank too much and now have the most awful anxiety hangover. If this isn’t my wake up call there’a no hope. My husband will be furious with me. My kids deserved better. My friends will be questioning whether to include me in plans ever again. I hate myself right now, please let this be the catalyst to change.

Dry January has begun, let’s do this ladies!

Make it a happy new year!

I'm in!

Already know I'm going to struggle with this. All week I've been prepping myself up for it. Finished the last of the Xmas booze tonight and now I just feel weirdly sad and empty.

Drinking has become such a big part of my routine. I average about 25-30 units per week which I know is so bad for health.

Joining for dry January!, really need to get my drinking under control starting today I’m determined.
fed up of the waking in the night hating myself
for drinking 😩

Morning all
@Comeonicandoit it's the worst feeling isn't it, todays the first day of us taking back control.
I'm up early thanks to the dog wanting to go out, soon changed her mind when she saw the rain.
Does anyone have anything nice planned for today? I think I'm going to just have a pj day

@fuzzylegs33 I'll struggle too but I'm determined to see it through, just think how amazing we'll feel at the end of January!

Morning, I will also struggle- it has become part of my life - again.

I know I can do it because I've done it before and definitely definitely need to loose some weight.

There are no downsides to doing it, so come on everyone we can do it together.

Checking in on the Dry January thread was a lifeline for me last time.
One day at a time

I am definitely holding onto the memory of how good I felt when I wasn't drinking at all!

Moderation is not for me, it does have to be all or nothing.

Well done on realising how your drinking is impacting on your loved ones Use this as a reason to stay dry. Take it a step at a time, minute by minute if need be when the craving comes. Do you know your triggers? I personally can take it leave any drink except wine so need to stop drinking that.

This is day 4 for me. I have friends coming for dinner later if the weather is ok. I don't think that will be a huge obstacle to staying dry though as neither really drink and have just as good time sober. I actually enjoyed my no alcohol drunks last night as much as wine which is hugely helpful for the weekend.