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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Original poster

would anyone like to try a dry January with me?

411 replies

coppercolouredtop · 30/12/2018 17:50

i really struggle with not drinking daily.

i have tried before and cheated. my dp hates how much i drink and i would like to try and see if i can do a month without and see if it breaks the habit a bit.

i can easily sink a bottle of wine plus a cocktail and still want more. i go two days without simply because i work nights two days a week.

i am getting fat. i am choosing drink over food. i am reliant on treating myself with alcohol almost daily.

i can give up anything else really easily - smoking? stopped with no help when i decided to stop.
put a box of chocolates in front of me and i can take a couple and leave the rest.
open a bottle of wine and its gone. and i want more and i dont get hangovers so there is no incentive to stop!
ive gained 6lb recently and i know its booze - dp and i used to work same hours and i moderated a bit better when he was around but now im not.
i know he hates what i drink and the annoying bint i become after the third glass.
i have lost motivation to do anything. i dont get up early. i cant be arsed to do much anymore ( i know i am depressed which doesnt help. and i think i depress the people around me)
despite being quite outgoing and bubbly i have no friends and no social life. my kids are grown up and dont see me much. i moved to a village i dont know 4 years ago and know not a soul. i also got pregnant which i was ecstatic about but then found the baby had a disability that would have been life altering for me and her, but i always felt being a mum kept me going and motivated and now my life feels completely empty and hollow. im in a job i hate. with a partner who doesnt like spending much time with me. my kids are gone, i have no friends here and alcohol fills the gaps.

ive decided to try and get to grips with that one problem and bin the booze for a month to see if it makes any difference to anything. (waist line would be good!) i never used to drink like this.. (though i did smoke about 3 cigarettes a day)

does anyone relate? anyone fancy giving this a go and supporting each other? im going to find it extremely difficult but i want to try it.

OP posts:
HannahnotAgnes · 05/01/2019 08:49

Can I join please? I started on 2nd January (always like a drink on the 1st). Last night wasn't too bad but I did some exercise before dinner (have tried to set up a home gym) & I think that helped as the notion to drink after that wasn't there like it usually is, thankfully!

I've done DJ in the past & always enjoy the feeling of taking back control over alcohol, so hopefully that'll be true this time too (& also desperately need to lose weight, so hoping that happens too!).

Good luck all & stay strong Thanks

ScabbyHorse · 05/01/2019 09:05

Am looking at the fitness blender website thanks to the poster who recommended that, will try the Pilates one in a minute. Day 5 whoop whoop.

GimmeBread · 05/01/2019 09:06

I genuinely can't remember the last time I had a decent nights sleep - it's been years of waking up at least twice without being able to fall back asleep (and sometimes just giving up altogether) for at least an hour but the last 2 nights have been great! I woke up once for a wee but fell right back asleep and I feel so much better.

I'm missing having a drink and this isn't helped by the massive amount I have left over from Xmas. There's gin, vodka, Disaronno, Baileys, Morgan's spiced, port, wine, Crabbies - all calling to me!

ScabbyHorse · 05/01/2019 10:25

@GimmeBread glad you're having good sleeps. Can you hide the booze somewhere? I put mine in the loft.

DavetheCat2001 · 05/01/2019 10:30

ooh Disaonno!! tried this for the first time at a night out over Xmas...very nice!

russianbubble · 05/01/2019 10:48

Missy great book suggestion!

GimmeBread · 05/01/2019 11:41

@ScabbyHorse - I guess I could put it in the cleaning cupboard. I never go there 😂

singleascheeseslice · 05/01/2019 13:24

Day 5 Smile. Sleeping better but still feel all detoxy. I'm doing keto as well though, so carb withdrawals are probably also to blame. Keep it going folks!!!

bert3400 · 05/01/2019 13:55

I've turned down a meal at Wagamama tonight, as I just can't trust myself not to order a large glass of wine , I am going to be a social hermit, certainly for this week and maybe the 2nd week as well .

The OP hasn't been back for a while . Are you OK ?

Japonicaisstillahorsygirl · 05/01/2019 14:46

Survived the first Friday evening but stil woke up with a headache this morning

Roussette · 05/01/2019 15:01

Can't believe it, DH has agreed not to open red wine tonight. I didn't ask him not to, he just said he would abstain. We're having steak and he always does. Together in solidarity!

TheNewSchmoo · 05/01/2019 16:06

I'm having headaches similar to when I gave up caffeine. Is this normal?

MozzchopsThirty · 05/01/2019 16:30

Hi can I join in

Me and my boyfriend drink a lot. We go out at least twice a week drinking, and will often drink at home too.
We have many mornings where we can't remember the night before.

On NYE I got so drunk I was then sick for 4 hours and I haven't drunk since.

I was wondering why I felt so shit! Am I detoxing?? Headaches, excessively tired and short tempered.
Have started back at the gym and healthy eating

DavetheCat2001 · 05/01/2019 18:58

I'm fancying a glass of wine this evening I have to say.

Making a veg curry for dinner and a glass of red would be lovely right now.

I have opened a can of San Pelagrino instead.

tactum · 05/01/2019 20:54

M&S Mexican lime and lemongrass pressed here over ice with mint in a fancy glass. Yum yum. Not missing the alcohol at all!!

tactum · 05/01/2019 20:54

Presse!

whynot93 · 05/01/2019 21:11

Another night wine free for me and it's the weekend 🙌 husband sunk a bottle of wine already.. I'm on the Diet Pepsi and have no desire to drink. Hope you are all doing well and sticking to DJ.

chickydoo · 05/01/2019 22:13

Day 5 done
We are doing well folks!

LadyWithLapdog · 05/01/2019 23:23

I posted on another similar thread. Day 5 done, all going well with lime cordial & sparkling water.

Original poster
coppercolouredtop · 06/01/2019 00:11

I failed tonight. But I think my relationship is over . Is that an excuse? 2 wines and 2 single measures with a mixer.

My relationship is kaput and I need to find a place to live with an Iva which isn't easy as I found out last summer.

Feel I've completely let myself down.!

Sorry but I'll be back on wagon tomorrow x

OP posts:
LadyWithLapdog · 06/01/2019 00:14

Coppercolouredtop I’m sorry, that’s tough 💐 but start again tomorrow, alcohol will only make you feel worse

MissyMoooo · 06/01/2019 00:39

Aaaargh 2nd night for me after 6 years drinking every single night and I can't sleep!! Been in bed for almost 3 hours and nothing. I could cry 😢 please tell me it gets better. Not missing the alcohol yet but really need to sleep!!

singleascheeseslice · 06/01/2019 00:42

Yes, completely normal @TheNewSchmoo! I've even has a breakout of spots which is a new one on me, obviously really overdid this year!

Oh boy that's tough coppercolouredtop sorry to hear that. Flowers Back on the wagon tomorrow (no pressure!) but you'll feel better with a clear head.

HannahnotAgnes · 06/01/2019 00:42

Don't let 1 bad day stop you, Op, just get back on it tomorrow (use the analogy of dropping your phone - if you did that, you then wouldn't stamp on it to truly break it, you'd just pick it up & hope it wasn't properly broken).

Sorry about your relationship though - that's shit Thanks

CeciliaMcFlange · 06/01/2019 04:15

I'm so sorry that things have gone to shit Copper, I agree that sticking with DJ will be better for you mentally but completely understand if you just think 'fuck it, I need a drink'.

I'm still a bit obsessed with 'The Sober Diaries' it has lots of wisdom and advice about giving up the booze - for her it's for good, her blog is here which is basically the book in long form - she's been writing it for 3 years.

Missy don't panic, the good sleep will come - also Schmoo apparently spots are totally normal too - all part of the joy of booze exiting your system. All will pass.

I'm mid day 6, it was great to wake up feeling fresh, I took the dog for a long walk and came back to yoghurt and berries (am trying to do Keto as well as DJ). I felt amazing afterwards, although got massively grumpy later.

Keep on everyone, you're doing great!