Dry January and beyond - Thread 2

[BulldogMumma]

Hey everyone
New thread as the old one was filling up
@Flicitytricity @coastergirl @TimeForNosecco

Evening all
I gave the bathroom a scrub and got it out of my system, sat with an AF beer instead which I'm actually enjoying.
It's strange how I've managed this long just fine then bam the wine with appears. I've come too far to give up now though

I drove to a wedding a few years ago as I wasn't drinking and treated myself to the delicious raspberry slush puppies (for the kids) some really nice full fat cokes and extra cakes.

I can tell you - the sugar rush was better than alcohol and I could drive home and have a brilliant day the next day.

Plus I remembered the whole wedding for once 😄

Day 26 done.
My anxiety is still horrendous, the Prozac isn't working yet.
All 5 assignments nearly done. I emailed my tutor re; difficulty I am having on on part of the big assignments. No email back since I grovelled to her on Wednesday. Now I'm catastrophizing that I'm going to get booted off the course and then sacked from work.

I was hoping my booze free brain would be helping with these thoughts!

Hope everyone's Mondays have been a gooden xx

Day 23 done for me. I feel horrendous today. I haven't been well on and off since the start of December. I have a poor immune system anyway but just seem to not be able to stay well recently. I think I am going to ask for some blood tests as I had COVID in December and am seriously wondering do I have long COVID. At least I know that it's not alcohol that's making me feel unwell.

Day 20 done. No cravings today as it was a work day and Monday was never a typical drinking day anyway. The brain and its habit patterns is fascinating. Hope everyone else is hanging on in there. We’re so close now!

@ThriveIn2025 thanks for the Pooh/Piglet cartoon which did indeed make me laugh. It’s so true 🤣 And go you, @Littletinytarzanswingingfromanosehair - 5 assignments dine is brilliant!

Well, today was 'Blue Monday' apparently, the most depressing day of the year, and I definitely felt fed up and tired, so I'm putting it down to that. I wouldn't normally drink if I'm in a bad mood so no risk of falling off the wagon, but felt in need of something, so had Sentia Gold with lime soda, and a nice bath.

I've been checking my blood pressure. Generally it's normal, but I thought I might see some changes around now. Will keep an eye on it and report back.

3 weeks tomorrow! 😃

Hi lovely people,

Well done all for getting though this Monday!

It was actually a really good day for me.
Finally sleep is getting good. Last night I slept from 11ish to just after 7, I couldnt believe it!
It may be partly due to having had a really nice long walk yesterday with DH and DC2.

I'm thinking back to previous dry Jan in which by this point I'd given up and felt terrible about it. In a much better place this time round and feeling the most positive I have in ages.

Let this week be a good one :)

Morning all
Day 21!! I've genuinely not gone this long without alcohol in years apart from when I was pregnant. Now I've got the drinking under control I need to sort out my eating, I get married later this year and I want to lose a bit of weight for it. I'm planning to start eating healthily and do lots more walking.
Part of me thinks I should carry on after January, I don't want to undo all the work I've done but I'm not making any decisions just yet, I do know I don't want to go back to drinking every night like I was before though,

I did last summer. Not missing it and had a holiday abroad, Christmas and New Year and fine

That’s amazing well done! I always struggle with Christmas and holidays just can’t imagine them without alcohol. Really need to overcome this as I would love to be AF

Day 21! Well done everyone!

I had a dream last night that I had two whiskies! I actually feel tired and hungover thus morning... ugh. Has anyone else had this dream!?

Morning All! I have been listening to Dr/prof David Nutt on audible - he was employed and then sacked by Tory gov for his unpopular advice on alcohol being a drug. He also owns a bar. Think he is behind sentia??
Anyway, it is a balanced read/ listen as he presents the facts - effects on body etc-and helps you to decide if the risks are worth it for you.
He says there is no safe limit, but likens the risk of drinking alcohol to the risk of a road accident you take when you drive. IF you stick to gov guidelines at max, and have at least 2 AF days a week.
Of course, you also have to be able to moderate successfully and we all know the cumulative effect of desire to drink once you restart a habit.
Have a good day!

Morning ...Day 21 for me which feel like a milestone.

As the days go on I'm finding it easier and just had a little daydream and entertained the thought of an AF life this morning. Someone above was saying about holidays and birthdays, Christmas, etc without getting drunk every year and tbh it sounds appealing now I'm out of the loop.

I don't think I could bring myself to say definitely no alcohol forever at all, absolutely none as this just seems unachievable and unnecessary ( and set up to fail) but if I could strip it all back to when I was in my twenties and started drinking socially I could live with that. So, only when I was out at the pub or gig, only when drinking was involved - e.g other things might not need alcohol, cinema, theme park, etc. Even meals out I'd rather not drink as it ruins the meal, or I'm not really interested in the food. I find booze to be an appetite suppressant and eating a nice meal is relaxing - so the two don't go together.

I think on reflection alcohol for me is really associated with being fun, lively, socialising with friends, dancing, music, gigs, nights out drinking with mates or work mates. So I just don't need it in my life when I'm being a home bird..I don't need it to relax at home so it's pointless.

I think that's my new outlook

@SharpWriter I've been having loads of vivid dreams and ones where I have been drunk in them or having a drink, alcohol related...weird isn't it

3 weeks! The difference in my ability to get out of bed in the mornings is staggering. Practically leaping out! Well not quite but not reluctantly peeling myself out of bed,achy and fuzzy headed,and having 2 paracetamol for breakfast. I feel so much more positive and energetic.

Thank you @Buntyforgirls , you're right, David Nutt is connected to Sentia. I like his balanced approach. Tim Spector is also interesting for those wanting to moderate rather than cut out alcohol completely. Those two, and the Tony Edwards books are my go to sources. Adrian Chiles is also worth a read, as he was a pretty heavy drinker before deciding to moderate. I also like the blue zone documentaries for general health and lifestyle inspiration.

I've been contemplating post DJ. Someone suggested Damp Feb, which might involve setting a moderation goal and sticking to it!

I guess for many that would be the seminal test of whether DJ has given you a reset, or whether you need to consider quitting!

@Fordian, yes, I effectively did a Damp February last year (first two weeks dry, 2nd two weeks reintroducing wine very slowly). Last year's thread carried on beyond the end of January for those who were keeping going.

I'm not sure what I will do this year. In the year leading up to Jan 2024 I had been drinking more than usual (about half a bottle a day), so I felt like I needed a proper reset. This year, it's more about a regular 'maintenance' reset, which for some reason has made it less enjoyable, and I am looking forward to a glass of wine on 1st February. Having said that, I have discovered some great AF drinks this year, and will definitely be incorporating those in the future.

Had a busy morning, which got me up early today, and I feel better for that. Have just sat down and seen a heron in the garden, which was very exciting! 😄Out for a run later and new beers to try later: Warsteiner and Super Bock pilsner, which are lower sugar than many AF beers.

Damp February!! That's brilliant 😂😂

This was a comment on our local TV when someone in the street was asked if they were doing DJ and she replied I was but it is a little damp after last night but will be dry by tomorrow.

Day 21 down, and a big milestone for me as i went out for dinner with an old friend and watched him have a large glass of sauvignon followed by a whisky. And apart from a 5 second pang of ‘gosh, a glass of sauv would be lovely’ it was absolutely fine as i stuck to my tap water. And i know i will wake up tomorrow fresh and not feeling fuzzy-headed.

i think damp Feb will also be for me. I don’t want to be totally AF, but nor do I want to drink as much as i was doing. We’ll see!

I've turned to sentia. God knows if it delivers any actual effect but it tastes nice.

God knows why I'm still awake but I'll be off to sleep in a min but just thought I'd mention after being reminded on another thread. Has anyone else noticed that their sense of smell has come back?

On Sunday night my O/H was sitting right on the other side of the living room and I could smell that he'd been drinking ale even though it was in the other room. It was just on his breath and I could smell it as if it was all over the living room.

I never seemed to notice before at all

Morning all
Day 22 and once again I've woken up feeling slightly groggy as though I've been drinking. I'm wondering if it's the AF beer maybe there's something in it that doesn't quite agree with me, if only happens when I've had AF beer the night before. Might stick to tea in future