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Original poster

To think Dry January is not all it's cut out to be?

143 replies

Throwingshade · 10/01/2016 08:13

Ok I've only done a week (obviously as it's only a week into Jan!).

I feel fine, not struggling.

I drink a lot usually - 4 bottles of wine a week, then the odd blow out if we've got a party or dinner etc. So probably three times recommended limits? Not good.

I don't feel any different. Sleeping 'better' but only as in more heavily. But otherwise feel the same as before.

I'm going to carry on as need to change my drinking habits on a permanent basis. I'm an old bird and I don't want to create unnecessarily health problems so that my poor sons have to look after their old soak of a ma.

But anyone do a few weeks last year and feel a spring in your step, brighter eyes, brighter disposition?

I'm not asking all you peeps who don't really drink btw! I'm asking people who have a regular habit like me.

OP posts:
sallysparrow157 · 10/01/2016 09:19

I tried it last year and felt like you do, sleeping badly, feeling shit in the mornings, no benefits whatsoever, so gave up about this far in
This year for some reason I've been feeling ok, I'm never one to bounce out of bed in the morning feeling amazing but I'm feeling noticeably better than I did if I'd drunk the night before and have actually been dragging myself to the gym most mornings so am feeling better because of that I think, helps that the bloke is doing it too so I can see improvements in his mood and motivation and sleep even if I'm not seeing it in myself

Original poster
Throwingshade · 10/01/2016 09:22

I'm going to the gym at 6.30am tommorrow sparrow to see if that gives me a smug feeling buzz.

OP posts:
StillStayingClassySanDiego · 10/01/2016 09:23

Throwing, I went into Gin after wine began to make me feel wretched. Gin doesn't have the same effect, I love GinSmile.

I don't think I was on a slippery slope but there was a bit of a nagging thought in my head that I needed to rein my boozing in.

BathtimeFunkster · 10/01/2016 09:24

I do it every year. It definitely resets drinking habits if you have a tendency for them to creep up.

There's a nice support thread here (almost full): www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/2538318-Penguins-Is-there-a-Dry-January-2016-thread-yet?

Join us if you want to talk to lots of other people feeling tired and not sleeping well, a few that have faltered and kept going, and a sprinkling of twatty sober Pollyannas who feel great (sometimes). Grin

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 10/01/2016 09:30

sprinkling of twatty sober Pollyannas who feel great (sometimes)

Grin , that made me snigger.

threestars · 10/01/2016 09:31

I'm finding it hard to fall asleep too, and to ignore worries. However, I no longer wake with a bone dry mouth or have a slight ache in my head as I get out of bed.
My motivation is that my mum had a brain haemmorrhage recently, was in a coma for two weeks and is now paralysed on one side. Although it's not necessarily down to alcohol that this happened to her, it's made me fear that the same might happen to me, and then who would help her or my children?
I'm hoping that after this month, I will be a lot more moderate and only drink on social occasions (which at the moment are few and far between!).

Couldn't give up caffeine though. That really is a step too far...

AwfulCuntForTheButter · 10/01/2016 09:32

I tried it last year and felt like you do, sleeping badly, feeling shit in the mornings, no benefits whatsoever, so gave up about this far in

All the more reason to stick at it - those were withdrawal symptoms. I'm a recovering alcoholic and used to get ferocious withdrawals, but generally after 3 days to a week you come through it and feel much more human.

Bottom line: if an alcoholic can do it, so can you Wink

Tortoiseonthehalfshell · 10/01/2016 09:35

When I gave up drinking, I had a habit similar to yours OP. And for the first few weeks I felt like crap basically. EXHAUSTED and certainly not thin and glowing! I now warn people who are giving up, it's like having a mild cold for a few weeks, so don't make evening plans and seek out comfort where you can. I think that might be (part of) why residential rehabs are 6 weeks - to give the body time to come out the other side of that detox experience.

I suspect that if you were a lighter drinker, you'd be feeling the effects now, although maybe now - because you're a heavy-ish drinker, it takes a while to adjust.

Good luck with your moderation plan after January; if you change your mind and decide to stick with sobriety, check out the Dry threads over in Relationships.

Thornrose · 10/01/2016 09:39

I drank a lot more than you Throwingshade (love the name!)

I only started on Monday and I don't feel better. I started getting headaches yesterday and I'm quite spotty which I imagine is me detoxing? I feel heavy and a bit rough in the mornings too.

I am much more productive though. I'm looking for things to do instead of slouching in front of the tv.

Fatrascals · 10/01/2016 09:46

This reply has been withdrawn

This post has been withdrawn due to privacy concerns

Sirona · 10/01/2016 09:50

I did nearly a year as I drank heavily. Physically not much changed except putting on a bit of weight but I needed it.

Mentally I felt bloody brilliant but it took me more than a month to get there. I kissed goodbye to most of my anxiety, tons more energy, more motivated, calmer and less tired and grumpy. I was finally able to stop smoking and stay off them, got fitter than I've ever been in my life (late 30s) and the best bit of it all was the feeling of pride I have in myself which has majorly impacted in my self confidence and esteem.

I did have a few drinks at Christmas and am now Dry January-ing it. I'm not sure if I'll drink again after January as tbh alcohol doesn't really play a part in my life or mind anymore. I have so much more exciting things I want to do than to be lying around with a hangover.

Asskicker · 10/01/2016 09:58

. Am waiting for the glossy hair and brilliant white eyes really

That going to take far longer than a week

Original poster
Throwingshade · 10/01/2016 10:02

Awfulcunt (now that's a name) and Tortoise actually I'm not feeling terrible or worse or better. I'm definitely not having withdrawal symptoms - the slight grogginess in the mornings is just as I'm sleeping more soundly. That is the only difference. I feel the same. I do have a feeling I'm going to feel better in a week or so though.

Oh actually there is one more thing I've noticed, I've eaten like a PIG this weekend but have not put weight on....

OP posts:
Original poster
Throwingshade · 10/01/2016 10:03

Asskicker yeah I guess so. Maybe white eyes are a thing of the past. I'm 48 in two weeks so I guess eyes generally go hazier, more broken/visible capilliaries etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
Throwingshade · 10/01/2016 10:08

Thornrose thanks, yes I'm quite pleased with my current name. I'm a very long time name-changing MN-er. And just so you don't feel alone, I sometimes drink more than I said in my OP - I definitely did during December, perhaps add in another litre bottle of spirits a week. Which is why I thought I'd feel ace by now! Right, I'm off for a walk then buying some healthy over-priced Joe Wicks-type gubbins from Waitrose.

*I've just realised my OP should have been 'cracked up to be' Confused

OP posts:
Junosmum · 10/01/2016 10:14

You should take a picture of your face. I suspect after the full month your face will have changed, probably less puffy/ water retention and brighter eyes.

Humphriescushion · 10/01/2016 10:50

I drink a lot and binge drink and the thought of giving up for more than a few days was a bit scary so thought it must time to give it a go. It has been fine so far not nearly as hard as I thought and only side effect was a headache around day 7. ( i started on the 29th dec so am around day 14)
Not feeling a huge difference but maybe bit more energy. I think my skin maybe clearer in the last day or so as well.

Hoping I can break the cycle and drink more sensibly when I finish.

bananafish · 10/01/2016 10:53

I feel worse tbh. I can't sleep very well, but I am a pretty bad sleeper any way. More anxious, spotty, cranky...

I expect I'll feel better by end of the month - I usually do, when I knock off the sauce for a month or two.

I've probably overdone the 'resolutions' (dieting, exercise, no alcohol, securing world peace, etc.,), but we will see. It's only been a week and this is the toughest bit.

I almost gave up my caffeine habit, but quickly realised that was a step too far.

chipsandpeas · 10/01/2016 11:38

i tend not to drink during the week but come a friday night i'll have a few probably id be classed as a binge drinker
i am laying off it for a while not technically doing dry janaury tho im doing it more for weight loss, i find that i eat and exercise fine during the week but come the weekend i'll drink and eat crap and do no exercise - pretty much sit on the couch all weekend - saying that this weekend i have just sat on the couch and no exercise but not ate crap
i was getting into too bad a habit of drinking every weekend last year which i decided that it was too much

AwfulCuntForTheButter · 10/01/2016 11:50

I slept horribly in the first couple of weeks after stopping drinking (mind you, I was drinking horrendous amounts - I think my last major binge was 6 litres of vodka in one week), but although I sleep much more deeply now, I wake up feeling quite groggy too. Still beats puking my guts up and dragging myself through every day though!

It took about a month to start looking bright eyed and for my skin to clear up - really bad skin is common after giving up alcohol. My appetite was enormous and I constantly craved sweet stuff.

I was lucky - my drinking nearly killed me. It's definitely worth getting through those first few weeks!

Thornrose · 10/01/2016 11:51

Ha, I went out for breakfast this morning and my sister said my eyes look really bright today! Grin Coincidence?

Marmitelover55 · 10/01/2016 12:05

I'm doing dry January - day 10 today. I am a heavy drinker - probably about 5 bottles of wine a week and more like 7 in December Blush. I did dry january last year and was hoping it would reset my habits and I could become a moderate drinker, but I don't seem to have an off switch. I'm trying again this year though.

Interesting that someone mentioned itchy skin, as I'm having problems with that, but didn't realise it might be connected. I definitely feel much better and am sleeping better but am worried I will return to my old habits in February. I don't want to give up completely though although I probably need to.

VivienScott · 10/01/2016 12:36

Hi marmitelover. It was me that mentioned itchy skin. Mine was worse at night and it felt like I had bugs crawling on me, like a tickley itch. THere is a name for it, but I can't remember what it is, begins with an f. It went away but seems to have kicked of again today, mind you, yesterday was the worst I've felt doing dry Jan so maybe it's connected to that. All the side effect seem to be coming in waves at the moment.

Marmitelover55 · 10/01/2016 12:46

Hi Vivienscott - us my itching has been worse at night too! I had one really bad night when it kept me awake. I have been putting on slit of moisturiser since then, which seems to help!

NeverNic · 10/01/2016 13:05

It will take a few weeks for your liver to clear the toxins and I think if over Christmas you overdid it on all toxins then it'll need to work extra hard. I did see them discuss drinking on this morning and the expert did say that ordinarily they'd recommend that drinking is reduced first, rather than going cold turkey, to lesson the withdrawal symptoms. That said, it can only be good to let your body recover, for however long.