Why do non-alcoholics find “dry January” difficult?
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Anonymous
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I was listening to some people over the holidays talking about dry January. Apparently it is becoming a thing among their circles. All of them claim to be non-alcoholics though I’m sure some are functional alcoholics. It was sad to hear how difficult some consider the challenge.
Do you participate in dry January? If so, how much of it is a challenge for you and why (social pressure, stress, …)? Has it made you think about how much alcohol you drink and/or how much you spend on booze? |
Anonymous
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My struggle witih dry january were one of the reasons I quit drinking almost altogether. I felt like alcohol had a bigger hold on me than I was comfortable with.
It was hard because, well, drinking just feels good. It relaxes me. It is also an easy thing to "do" with others socially. Even a dinner with a bottle of wine sounds more special than dinner without one. But not drinking feels so good! I wouldn't deny myself alcohol if I really wanted it but I just don't want it anymore, really. I had that dry january experience three years ago and I think since then I've had alcohol three times. |
Anonymous
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I don’t drink, but for a lot of people it’s routine: your office has a happy hour, or you got to a fundraiser, or to a sporting event, or out to dinner. You are used to ordering a cocktail or having a glass of wine or something, and you feel a little awkward ordering a Diet Coke.
More restaurants are offering mocktails, but if you’re used to wine, mocktails are usually not the flavor profile you’re going for. It’s just a hard habit to break, which sometimes can have absolutely nothing to do with dependence. |
Anonymous
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Better question: why is there a dry January in the first place? Why a national collective need to try and dry up?
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Anonymous
| I swear sometimes I think the cannabis industry is using forums like this. I mean, there are thousands of threads like this already. I drink maybe once or twice a month, so I have zero issues with alcohol. Many people enjoy a cocktail daily. Nothing wrong with that either. But for many of these people, it’s likely a very enjoyable habit that is hard to break and is missed when not happening anymore. It’s just not that hard to understand. I know many people who replaced their daily cocktail with sugary mocktails or sweets after dinner, and they find trying to quite those very difficult. What does that make them OP? Sugarholics? Why must you judge and label? |
Anonymous
Certainly a trend started by the cannabis industry, 100%. Just look at this new trend, “California sober.” People are so gullible. |
Anonymous
No I do not. It’s silly posturing. I naturally drink less when the holidays end, though. Dinners out, parties, etc. drop off. I never feel pressure to drink. But I like a glass of wine or cocktail with dinner. |
Anonymous
Do you have a source for that? Because the first Dry January was in 2013, and started by British anti-alcohol organization that was founded in 1984. Seems unlikely that the cannabis industry took it over at some point. |
Anonymous
| I did it last year and will probably do some variation again this year. It’s difficult in the sense that altering any hard set habit is difficult. I like the ritual of drinking a glass of wine while I make dinner and I like the taste of wine with food. None of this necessarily makes for problem drinking, but as alcohol is an addictive substance, it’s nice to remind myself that I can live without it. It’s just a reset. |
Anonymous
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Daily drinking — or yes, smoking— is hilarious. Listen to yourselves
If it’s every day without exception unless bad head cold, it’s probably not a “habit” anymore akin to brushing teeth |
Anonymous
| I have zero interest in these stupid shenanigans. For 2+ years I've been on and off pregnant (recurrent miscarriage) and the burden of constantly not having autonomy of your body and being strict just to mourn another baby? F that. I'm drinking when I'm not pregnant. |
Anonymous
| I think it’s weird people feel like they have to do dry January. It is not a mandate. I did for the first time last year. I did not see all the health benefits people said they experienced, but for me, it helped me stop drinking out of habit. |
Anonymous
| I don’t do “Dry January” per se, but January in general is usually a scaling back and a recalibration of everything I eat and drink. Once the parties are over, I’m not eating as many sugary, salty, fatty foods. I drink maybe a few alcoholic beverages a month (4-6), but in December, there are usually a few more due to parties and social events (6-12 total for the month). In January, I’m returning to 4alcoholic beverages a month tops, just because I’m eating and drinking healthier across the board. |
Anonymous
| I only have a drink once a month if that, so no. |
Anonymous
| I used to be a once-per-month social drinker but had to stop entirely due to a medical issue. I don't miss the alcohol itself, but I miss the ritual and social aspects of it - a drink at a restaurant bar waiting for the table or happy hour with friends. Maybe this is part of the problem with those having difficulty with dry January. While I know that I can partake in non-alcoholic drinks in these settings, its not quite the same. |