Advice for successful dry January?

[nonkynink]

I've been questioning my relationship with alcohol a lot lately. I drink probably 4-5 nights of the week. I don't go out a lot, it's more at home where it's become habitual. I enjoy that moment of finally sitting down when dc are in bed and relaxing with that little buzz it gives me. But I'm going over 14 weekly units, probably closer to 25/30. I know this has big health implications and it's making me fat, tired and haggard.

Dh is similar and we've both said we'll give dry January a go. I know it will be a real struggle and lifestyle change. I wondered if anyone who thought they'd find it hard managed it? And if so what are your tips for success?

Why are you buying it? Stop it. I gave up the nightly wine bottle opening because it was just becoming a habit. I don’t drink at all now other than a glass on Christmas Day.

I got out of the habit by not buying it. I currently have a house full of booze because people don’t realise I no longer touch the stuff. Unless DH/ guests drink it, it will sit here until the end of time

I don't have any tips but there are lots of good podcasts like 'over the influence' which may be worth a listen.

Good luck x

Personally, I eventually realised that the trigger was stopping work.
I was in a mindset where "sober=work can contact me, Vs. had a drink = will ignore" the upshot was that I drank something most evenings in order to switch off.

What helped me was finding a new "cut off point" (differs due to routine but often when clearing up from dinner).

Try to identify what trips you into expecting a drink, and then tackle that. I actually really enjoy a bit of craft and TV, rather than a glass of wine, now that I've experienced it!

Good for you. Enjoy your wee glass on Christmas Day.

OP, it sounds simple, but the best way to not drink is to accept that you can't drink. See it as a black and white thing. I can't drink - I don't buy drink. There are no exceptions.
The first few days are fairly horrible, even if you're only talking about a glass or two a night. Replace it with a ton of water and some really decent treat food.

Don’t buy it. Remove the temptation. Have something else planned instead. it may be worth looking at alcohol free options like Pentire.

It's definitely become habitual. It's just an easy way to switch off and mark the end of the day. It gives me a nice feeling for about an hour but then I just wonder why I bothered.

We both work and have no help with childcare so I guess it feels like a reward only it isn't really is it? It's hard because without it the evenings seem long and empty but I'm also too knackered to do anything else (ie go out to the gym or whatever) by the time the kids are in bed.

I've definitely noticed my habits getting worse over the course of this year - drinking gradually more nights of the week, drinking more etc. I definitely need a reset to break the habits that have formed and I think dry January is a good opportunity to try that after the excess of Christmas. I just see myself getting bored with it after a few days and giving in.

I found I needed something else nice to drink to replace wine. I now enjoy AF beer or fizzy water with squash or a slice of lime or a cup of some sort of herbal tea.
My habit just changed with a bit of time and now I don't think about it.

Why don’t you put aside the “cost” of the amount you drink (say it’s 1-2 glasses of wine) and at the end of January treat yourself to a proper treat?

Make sure you have alternatives in the house and if you think you’ll really struggle, get it out the house before you start.

Managed Dry Jan past couole of yrs with help of 0% drinks like Guinness & Lucky Saint beers, plus would recommend pouring yourself an alcohol free drink in a nice glass whenever your witching hour approaches - cans of Trip or Goodrays are nice & don't taste like sugary soft drinks. Best of luck, you'll deffo feel the benefit 👍

Tonic or a nice cordial and lemon in a wine glass kind of gives the illusion a little?
I'm pregnant so it's been at least nice to try recreate sitting down with a nice glass of wine after a stressful day.

I found the best way to start was a straight swap to AF wine (the Not Guilty stuff is palatable) or tonic / fizzy water in a wine glass.

After a couple of weeks I didn't need it and evenings became different. Now I'm not opening the wine at 6pm I find the evenings seem so much longer (even with kids) and there's so much more opportunity to get stuff done.

Added bonus - better sleep and feel soooo much better in the morning.

Good luck!

Ice cold soda water with lime is nice. The first weekend will be fine and then the second weekend you'll be on day 10/11, that's very motivating. We always do dry January. the best bit is the better sleep. Deep, dreamy, restorative sleep. 💤

Work out how much money you’ll save over the course of the month. Aim to generally be healthier. Then start a list/chart with pounds lost in weight and pounds gained in money!

Have you considered postponing a month and having a dry February instead? That's only 28 days as opposed to 31.

I don't know if switching to alcohol-free / low-alcohol versions would work for you, but there are loads of these around now - not just a generic prosecco but also lots of branded gins and Captain Morgan's spiced rum and all sorts - Sainsbury's have a good selection.

I gave up before the first lockdown and haven't touched it since. I did really miss it.

I bought tonic water and had it with ice, fruit juice and cordial with fizzy water. I can drink sparkling water all night while others get hammered now.

You just stop.

It's quite simple. You stop drinking by stopping drinking. Find some soft drinks that you like, for social occasions. Don't buy alcohol at the supermarket. If you enjoy the taste, there are great zero alcohol options now.

If you find that it's not that simple, and you can't just stop, then you need to get help - because you SHOULD be able to stop drinking without an issue. If you can't drink as a one off, or in moderation, there's so much help out there for you.

AA, counselling, GP support. So much.

Alcoholism isn't always bottles of vodka on street corners.

I am dry atm, trying to improve my health generally and lose weight. I pour a glass of Tart Cherry or Pomegranate mixed with water into a red wine glass. It looks just like the real thing and tastes great and not sweet. I have been dry for 4 weeks now.

Ps also now it's the Christmas season there are nice non alcoholic punches out there that taste like mulled wine. I drink them cold mixed with water but you can also heat them up.

Don't view it as "giving up" alcohol for a month, think of it as "taste testing" AF alternatives. As PP, just work through the offerings in the supermarket until you find something you like - although don't bother with the Aldi AF wine. It's vile.
Personally I drink nozecco rose. The Kylie one is ok if you like a sweeter/strawberry wine. There's a decent range of beers now or try kombucha or Tripp.

And if you normally drink spirits like whisky ir brandy then Sentia is good (you can only buy it online i think).

For me, finding an alternative is not helpful. I have lots of things I like to drink, I just prefer to drink wine in the evening. When I am reducing my drinking - and I do DJ every year - I have to find something else to do. My danger zone is after work, if I don't have a drink by 7.30/8, it's then too late so I don't bother. So I need to keep busy between getting home and 8, so I didn't think about it.

Don’t have alcohol in the house, and if you go out to a pub or similar - buy AF beer. For me it feels more ‘grown up’ when in a bar than drinking soft drinks.
Use the NHS drink free days app. You put a star on the days you having drank alcohol
and it’s weirdly satisfying to see them build up!

About once a year I do a dry 100 days, once past the first couple of weeks I find it really easy to just keep going. My friends all know this now, so still invite me out. It don’t pressurise me to drink during that time… makes no difference to my enjoyment, plus the added bonus of no hangovers is great!!!

There’s normally a really good dry January support thread on here which I e found really helpful the last couple of years