Dry January - a month off the booze - anyone want to join me?

[Doshusallie]

I am determined to do this - I drink most days, it's become a habit, just a glass or two, more at weekends, but really want to give myself an extended break.

The worst time of day for me is between 6-8 pm, before we eat. So am going to try and eat earlier and it would be great if I could come on here and get some support about that time of day!

does anybody want to have a dry January with me?

And yes I do have a hangover today

Day 8....DONE!!!!! WHOOP!!!!!!!

Day 8 done here too!

I'm still in there. Had an operation yesterday so can't have alcohol with painkillers. That's one way to do it! Not missing it either.

Day 8 sorted! Yey! Feeling better by the day and not thinking of it tooo much. I can feel the habitual side of it slipping away a bit..... Its now not a given that 7pm is wine o clock
Well done all x

Day 8 here too although I do miss my wine! Am doing MFP too and have lost 4.5lbs this week-not drinking has been key to me sticking to my calories. Normally if I'm trying to loose weight, it's alcohol I reach for not chocolate!

However am having my one drinking night on Saturday as out with friends, then back on the wagon.

I actually think that 8 days is the longest I have been without alcohol in years

DAy 8 done here too

By the way, did anyone see the drinking mirror. A good incentive to stop/slow down!

I am beginning to wonder quite how we were managing to down a bottle of wine in an evening when we seem to spend most of it sorting children out.....

That drinking mirror app is indeed an incentive....although I think they are painting the worst case scenario....I'm pretty sure that most people don't get that 'reddened' drinker's nose and rosy cheeks until they've been drinking for a good many years...it's the Albert Tatlock look!

DW still has a lingering headache....and we have yet to leap out of bed in the morning feeling full of energy...

gazzalw - ditto on "where did we get the time"!!

I am sleeping so so so well now, amazing, truly quality sleep. Though interesting what you say about lingering headache. I thought that just after dropping kids at school this morning.

Yes what's the headache all about after 9 days? Surely not dehydration? Can you get a hydration headache?

No, not dehydration! I am drinking loads of non-alcoholic fluids! Think it is all just part of the body adjusting, same thing happens apparently when you drop caffeine, terrible headaches for a week or two.

Yes, I guess that makes sense although thought caffeine was more drug-like in its withdrawal than alcohol....?

DW gets a withdrawal headache from caffeine if we run out of real coffee and she hasn't had her fix for even a couple of hours which is surprising because she only drinks coffee in the morning...

Fuzzy headed is my description of how I'm feeling which is pretty much how I feel when I have been drinking alcohol... Maybe my body is trying to trick me???

Hi all and well done!

I'm doing fine but my DP is struggling. He is a heavy drinker but has had no booze for the last two nights. He's been having a hard time sleeping because of it. Got any advice for him? Thanks

Still on the wagon.. whoop whoop - although I really wanted a glass after my epic 13hr working day yesterday but I resisted.

Am not finding this too much of a challenge at the moment, maybe I need to add something else into the mix too. Need to get back in the pool to build up my swimming for the summer.

Lotta same here for my DP - he tried kalms last night and did sleep better but still struggled to get off to sleep. I think he has stayed up too late watching movies all xmas and he is finding it tough to break the habit.

I think tonight is going to be a tricky one. I've just found out that DS1's friend's Mum has got terminal cancer and my default response would be to open the wine. Not sure that chamomile tea is going to cut it.

Sorry to hear that Badgersnatch.....How old is DS's friend and the Mum....How hideous....

Not sure what to suggest as a pick-me-up instead of alcohol unless you have an alcohol-free lager or something????

Thanks Gaz. He's five, she'd be 40ish (I'm rubbish at ages but I'm guessing we're of a similar vintage). He's an adorable boy, everyone's in bits for him.

I guess this is a reminder to live life a bit more to the full.

That's really sad.... but you are right that we should all carpe diem...

Very sad for friend and mother.

I've been reading about the side effects of going dry, mainly as i still have a dull headache on day 9..
It's quite saddening and shocking to read it as it makes it obvious that only alchaholics and heavily dependant drinkers suffer with these.

I think dry january has made me totally rethink my consumption of both wine and caffeine. Its so easy to not realise when it has become too much.

I'm joining in on Saturday; that's when I go back to work.

I'm sort of looking forward to the challenge, but then I do drink a hell of a lot each day and common sense says cut down.

I'll be coming back here everyday and hoping for reports from everyone. Especially those of us who will be finding it a little harder than others

I cracked last night and broke a New Years resolution and had a ciggy! But at least I didn't have a drink!

Dh has cracked and is on his 3rd can of strongbow!!!!! He is desperate without sleep and looks like shit.......

It is probably worth flagging up that if people have real alcohol dependency issues they probably can't safely detox without medical intervention....

How about you, Doshusallie? Have you got through day 9?
I had a much better night s sleep last night and woke feeling fresh. hurrah!