Why do non-alcoholics find “dry January” difficult?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here — I came from a heavy drinking family and culture. Several close relatives and family friends owned and managed bars while I was growing up. Consequently, i spent a lot of time in bars even as a child. I saw people who didn’t have a problem, and people who said they didn’t have a problem. I’m not opposed to drinking. I’m just fascinated by the concept of dry January (be it alcohol or cannabis or … shopping). I’m Catholic so abstaining from something is not a foreign concept to me, so adding dry January sometimes seems like a repetitive concept. I rarely drink to the point that some friends/neighbors (not all) in the DMV make a point to say something that I’m having a drink. It’s weird because I don’t think of myself as a non-drinker but I guess it’s all relative when I have a drink maybe 4x a year and friends have a drink or more every week.

Again the thing that struck me was how many people (my age and younger) in the conversation said that dry January would be a struggle. I would not have beeen surprised if they were boomers or older. Although I shouldn’t have been surprised since COVID closures didn’t negatively affect ABC stores and takeout alcohol restrictions were relaxed.

That’s because actual alcoholics account for something like 80% of alcohol sales. Liquor stores weren’t closed specifically because we didn’t need our ERs full of withdrawing alcoholics. It wasn’t because of the wine moms. I can’t believe how many people still don’t understand this.

Hon, a significant minority of Wine Moms actually have alcohol use disorder. see especially 4, 9 and 10. Preening around in your Golden Goose shoes doesn't mean you're not an alcoholic

https://www.medscape.com/answers/285913-41535/what-are-the-dsm-5-criteria-for-%20alcohol-use-disorder?form=fpf

Sorry but no matter how much you wish it was true, and how jealous you are of their expensive sneakers, these are not the people who get the DTs and go to the ER when they can’t get ahold of alcohol. If wine moms were the only people who consumed alcohol the liquor stores would’ve been closed during Covid along with everything else. You’re welcome for the public health lesson!

One of us worked in ER / ICU during the height of the pandemic and the other one did not. One of us — okay, it’s me — is a clinician with years of schooling and so doesn’t fall for the red herring that an essential diagnostic criterion for AUD is delerium tremens.

Yes, package stores stayed open per DOH to avert widespread acute withdrawals for those at risk for cardiac consequences of unsupervised withdrawal

Doesn’t mean a lot of Wine Moms in my orbit aren’t clearly dependent on their substance and meet criteria for alcohol use disorder.

You’re welcome, Caitlin

Oh a dr who is not an expert acting like an expert in everything medical. Please you ER drs get so many things wrong it’s surprising many of you still are drs. But as long as you’re just stupid and it’s not neglect.

Anyway check out SAMSA there are many stages of unhealthy drinking before you’re an addict.

Your welcome, Felicia!

[Anonymous]

I'm a casual frequent drinker - non-alcoholic and I find dry January pretty easy. Where are you getting this nonsense?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a casual frequent drinker - non-alcoholic and I find dry January pretty easy. Where are you getting this nonsense?

The only people who find it difficult to go a month without drinking are alcoholics (who don't think they're alcoholics).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here — I came from a heavy drinking family and culture. Several close relatives and family friends owned and managed bars while I was growing up. Consequently, i spent a lot of time in bars even as a child. I saw people who didn’t have a problem, and people who said they didn’t have a problem. I’m not opposed to drinking. I’m just fascinated by the concept of dry January (be it alcohol or cannabis or … shopping). I’m Catholic so abstaining from something is not a foreign concept to me, so adding dry January sometimes seems like a repetitive concept. I rarely drink to the point that some friends/neighbors (not all) in the DMV make a point to say something that I’m having a drink. It’s weird because I don’t think of myself as a non-drinker but I guess it’s all relative when I have a drink maybe 4x a year and friends have a drink or more every week.

Again the thing that struck me was how many people (my age and younger) in the conversation said that dry January would be a struggle. I would not have beeen surprised if they were boomers or older. Although I shouldn’t have been surprised since COVID closures didn’t negatively affect ABC stores and takeout alcohol restrictions were relaxed.

That’s because actual alcoholics account for something like 80% of alcohol sales. Liquor stores weren’t closed specifically because we didn’t need our ERs full of withdrawing alcoholics. It wasn’t because of the wine moms. I can’t believe how many people still don’t understand this.

Hon, a significant minority of Wine Moms actually have alcohol use disorder. see especially 4, 9 and 10. Preening around in your Golden Goose shoes doesn't mean you're not an alcoholic

https://www.medscape.com/answers/285913-41535/what-are-the-dsm-5-criteria-for-%20alcohol-use-disorder?form=fpf

Sorry but no matter how much you wish it was true, and how jealous you are of their expensive sneakers, these are not the people who get the DTs and go to the ER when they can’t get ahold of alcohol. If wine moms were the only people who consumed alcohol the liquor stores would’ve been closed during Covid along with everything else. You’re welcome for the public health lesson!

One of us worked in ER / ICU during the height of the pandemic and the other one did not. One of us — okay, it’s me — is a clinician with years of schooling and so doesn’t fall for the red herring that an essential diagnostic criterion for AUD is delerium tremens.

Yes, package stores stayed open per DOH to avert widespread acute withdrawals for those at risk for cardiac consequences of unsupervised withdrawal

Doesn’t mean a lot of Wine Moms in my orbit aren’t clearly dependent on their substance and meet criteria for alcohol use disorder.

You’re welcome, Caitlin

Oh a dr who is not an expert acting like an expert in everything medical. Please you ER drs get so many things wrong it’s surprising many of you still are drs. But as long as you’re just stupid and it’s not neglect.

Anyway check out SAMSA there are many stages of unhealthy drinking before you’re an addict.

Your welcome, Felicia!

Please reread your post when you're sober. You are circling rock bottom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a casual frequent drinker - non-alcoholic and I find dry January pretty easy. Where are you getting this nonsense?

The only people who find it difficult to go a month without drinking are alcoholics (who don't think they're alcoholics).

That is not true. Some people just don’t do well with black and white restrictions. I can go months without drinking, because I’m too busy and not thinking about it. But the second you tell me I can’t drink for a month, it’s all I can think about and must have a drink. It’s also the reason I never diet, I end up gaining not losing weight. Banning something just makes me hyper focused on it. I do much better with moderation and cutting back than with trying to wholly eliminate. I am sure that I am not alone on this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

The real question is why do non-alcoholics need a "dry January"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a casual frequent drinker - non-alcoholic and I find dry January pretty easy. Where are you getting this nonsense?

The only people who find it difficult to go a month without drinking are alcoholics (who don't think they're alcoholics).

That is not true. Some people just don’t do well with black and white restrictions. I can go months without drinking, because I’m too busy and not thinking about it. But the second you tell me I can’t drink for a month, it’s all I can think about and must have a drink. It’s also the reason I never diet, I end up gaining not losing weight. Banning something just makes me hyper focused on it. I do much better with moderation and cutting back than with trying to wholly eliminate. I am sure that I am not alone on this.

Yep this is it. It's why dieticians and nutritionists often preach moderation instead of elimination. I'm not addicted to deli meat or sushi but within a short time of being pregnant they're all I wanted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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?

The real question is why do non-alcoholics need a "dry January"?

Because one of the symptoms of alcoholism is not believing you are an alcoholic.

[Anonymous]

Because even if you're not an "addict"- going without things that you like is hard. Look at people on a diet. They're doing it for the health effects too, but find it difficult. I wouldn't say I'm addicted to coffee or sugar, but they'd be very hard to give up for a month.

[Anonymous]

We actually don't. Not at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a casual frequent drinker - non-alcoholic and I find dry January pretty easy. Where are you getting this nonsense?

The only people who find it difficult to go a month without drinking are alcoholics (who don't think they're alcoholics).

Um..you didn't read what I wrote. I do NOT find it difficult you tool

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't do dry January. I have a drink if I want one. I'm careful because there is alcoholism in my family. If it starts to taste too good, I back off for a while.

Not helpful at all and who cares?

[Anonymous]

Many people have habits or emotional dependence that has not progressed to AUD. Habits can be hard to change. Booze can help manage anxiety, loneliness, social anxiety, etc. and those feelings become more challenging without it. None of this is rocket science, OP. Those who easily can do dry January are far luckier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

I don’t get how it is “not the same” when the vast majority of restaurants, hotel bars and bars have mocktail menus. What is different about sipping a virgin cocktail with muddled mint vs. a mojito?

The “vast majority” do not have menus. Can the bartender make you a Shirley Temple? Sure. Are coffee/tea/soft drinks available? Yes. But the vast majority do not have a mocktail menu.

This is not true in DC. Mocktails are a thing.

[Anonymous]

I find DC to be a drinking town. Lots of HHs, social gatherings with friends, etc. That's why it's hard.