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

[Throwingshade]

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.

I wish I was feeling the health of benefits of not drinking, but I'm just not. Maybe it's all internal and my liver and kidneys are sparkling.

I thought I'd cave tonight; I haven't been too bothered about having a drink but we were havjng dinner tonight with some boozy friends so Dh said "shall we give ourselves permission to drink just tonight?". I wasn't sure how it would go and I kept an open mind, but we didn't!

I'm finding it easier than I thought, but don't think I would like to be doing it forever. 14th Feb is my aim at the moment.

Glad you talked to your Dh, OP. About 8 years ago Dh had 'the chat' with me; and I really cut back on my drinking just because he wanted me to. It worked in my case, so hopefully it will for you.,

Tomorrow will be 2 weeks without drinking. I'm really pleased with myself.

I had a really itchy back this morning and again tonight. So now I'm in a bit of a panic after reading dejas post. I've convinced myself I've going to die of liver failure.

"The Spanish donation system is 'opt out' as opposed to our (UK) 'opt in' system, or I would not be here."

Wales is opt out, not opt in. Recent change.

Wrong thread Gwen!

Thornrose - well done! Me too. Listen, just book a doctor's appointment. I don't know how old you are but you can speak to you GP after age of 45 (I think) about a full health or well woman check up anyway. And whatever age you are, you can just say you are concerned about your liver health and ask for a test. Remember it is freezing weather and you have your heating on a lot more I'd think, that might well make your skin itchier!

Pointy - the main thing for me is that he listened to me, he understood the urgency and the seriousness of what I was saying and he's make an effort.

Though I have to say, and this goes for all of us problem drinkers, abstinence is the easy part, drinking (properly) moderately will be the test after January.

Thanks, I've calmed down a bit now. I'm 49 and I was googling itchy skin in peri menopause that plus the heating etc are definitely more probable.

I'm going to keep hold of that feeling of fear when I consider cracking open a bottle at home!

I'm definitely going for only drinking when out or in company, which for me isn't that often. Drinking alone has to stop for good for me. My resolve is strong right now.

I would have killed for a G+T this weekend, orange juice and fizzy water just doesn't cut the mustard.

I haven't drunk and after I've had my evening meal I'm not a drinker anyway.

I'll never be a 'just the one' drinker and perhaps sobriety is the way forward for me but by Christ it's boring.

Well done to everyone , mocktails are on me🍸

Throwingshade, I was answering dejarderoncar's comment on this thread.

As I'm now past the half way mark with Dry January, I think I'll continue. Weekends are my danger zones, but I've sailed through another Fri/Sat night, and I'm feeling quite pleased.

Petal

Yes I've found it very easy.

But as I said I think the test for me will be drinking moderately after Jan.

Well done Dry Army

Throwing when I did Dry June last year I was shocked by how hard a drink hit me when I had one. Two small glasses and I was light in the head. It's a sensation I don't like, so by reducing my tolerance, I ended up reducing my intake too. This might work for you as well. I was a 45 unit a week person, since Dry June I've been on 12 max, with 4 alcohol free nights per week. Was a bit shocked when the new government guidelines came out and I found I was within them, it almost made me want to say 'fuck it' and drink more just so that I wasn't caving to the nanny state.

Petal, weekends are my danger zone as well. This one was particularly tricky and oh so very Long!
But I've,done it. 50% is over and done with and now it's into the home stretch.
I've lost half a stone and the coughs old libido seems to have woken up
So that's two benefits already !

AND I remembered it

@ hollow!

Hope you are all avoiding Blue Monday feelings?! I am feeling revoltingly healthy and upbeat.

Just wondering how everyone did? (I know there are other threads on other boards but I've not been on them).

I managed to stick to it - have got a big family birthday tomorrow (my sister's 50th) so I will break the booze fast with a few glass of Champagne.

So for me, has been easy, which was a surprise considering how much I drink usually (few bottles of wine, few vodkas every week). Felt amazing first couple of weeks, and not so great the last two..? Maybe I just felt euphoric as I was finding it easy then I just levelled out into my normal state of mind!

I think my skin looks a bit better - more colour, no puffy eyes. I have lost 1lb in weight - woo-not-hoo! Slept more heavily but not necessarily better.

Overall I think it's good to remember life without a drink is perfectly fine and enjoyable but also good to know I don't feel that much different either way, though maybe my innards are telling a different story.

Morning Throwing I've stuck to it and will continue to be dry for the foreseeable future. Doing DJ finally forced me to realise I was a problem drinker [recycling box was an eye opener].

I've slept so well, look brighter and have lost some of my 'booze belly'. Ongoing sobriety may be the best thing for me.

Hey SanDiego. That's really great, I'm happy for you. I am going to see how 'wet' February goes as my plan is to move forward with much more moderation. If I can't do that (I think I can) then I will definitely revise my plan...and my view of myself.

I managed 17 days on and off, and made the end conclusion as you Throwing in that I don't really feel better- but certainly not worse, and have realised that I don't need to drink every eve to get through the day like I'd thought. It's easier for me not to start, than to stop.

I'll be carrying on with the no weekday drinking for the foreseeable. It's a bad habit that ultmately achieves nothing other than making me fat and poor.

Good luck with dry/wet/slightly-damp-weekend Febs to everyone else.

YY to 'easier not to start, than to stop'. And I feel that's achievable.

Happy Febs x