Dry January 2023 Thread

[Anonymous]

I went to a friend’s 50th bday party last night and didn't drink any alcohol at all - it was my big test for the month. I will say that I’ve been sick all month, which has made it easier as I really haven’t felt much like drinking. DH and I both are amazed at how much better we feel overall, though. Super proud of DH, too - he’s a pretty big drinker and between laying off the alcohol and eating healthier he’s lost 10 pounds.

[Anonymous]

I just came across this thread. I was happy to see it as I have been dry this January as well. I typically have one glass of wine a night so this is a big change for me. Surprisingly, it was easier than I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong, I think about it, I just don't follow through.

[Anonymous]

Last night was the first one where I saw people drinking on a show and it didn’t trigger me to want a drink. I tensed automatically when I saw the wine glasses, and then realized I didn’t actually want any. That felt huge for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It honestly hasn’t been difficult at all — it’s just boring.

Anyone else think some people who claim to be dry are lying? It’s so easy to booze at home and just play pretend in public.

Um, no, I hadn't thought that at all, but I suppose there are some people doing that. Is this something you've considered?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It honestly hasn’t been difficult at all — it’s just boring.

Anyone else think some people who claim to be dry are lying? It’s so easy to booze at home and just play pretend in public.

This is odd to me. Why would a person pretend to partake in dry January in public? In public with friends or out to dinner is where I want to drink. Once I broke the habit at home I was fine. This seems like an alcoholic game where friends/family are concerned about the amount of consumption.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It honestly hasn’t been difficult at all — it’s just boring.

Anyone else think some people who claim to be dry are lying? It’s so easy to booze at home and just play pretend in public.

This is odd to me. Why would a person pretend to partake in dry January in public? In public with friends or out to dinner is where I want to drink. Once I broke the habit at home I was fine. This seems like an alcoholic game where friends/family are concerned about the amount of consumption.

why? because they have a drinking problem. lots of people do, are you not able to imagine the denial and deceit that comes with that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It honestly hasn’t been difficult at all — it’s just boring.

Anyone else think some people who claim to be dry are lying? It’s so easy to booze at home and just play pretend in public.

This is odd to me. Why would a person pretend to partake in dry January in public? In public with friends or out to dinner is where I want to drink. Once I broke the habit at home I was fine. This seems like an alcoholic game where friends/family are concerned about the amount of consumption.

why? because they have a drinking problem. lots of people do, are you not able to imagine the denial and deceit that comes with that?

The people I know with problems would never consider pretending to do a dry January. They wouldn't be strong enough not to drink in public, especially when everyone is drinking. They would not be able to pretend or withhold.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It honestly hasn’t been difficult at all — it’s just boring.

Anyone else think some people who claim to be dry are lying? It’s so easy to booze at home and just play pretend in public.

This is odd to me. Why would a person pretend to partake in dry January in public? In public with friends or out to dinner is where I want to drink. Once I broke the habit at home I was fine. This seems like an alcoholic game where friends/family are concerned about the amount of consumption.

why? because they have a drinking problem. lots of people do, are you not able to imagine the denial and deceit that comes with that?

The people I know with problems would never consider pretending to do a dry January. They wouldn't be strong enough not to drink in public, especially when everyone is drinking. They would not be able to pretend or withhold.

Well, based on what we've seen in the past - folks finding their spouse's hidden stash of alcohol or hidden empty bottles - hiding drinking isn't realllllly uncommon. But I think it's a sign of there being a problem. So, somebody might pretend they were doing dry January to appease a spouse, to fit in with the rest of their friends, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It honestly hasn’t been difficult at all — it’s just boring.

Anyone else think some people who claim to be dry are lying? It’s so easy to booze at home and just play pretend in public.

This is odd to me. Why would a person pretend to partake in dry January in public? In public with friends or out to dinner is where I want to drink. Once I broke the habit at home I was fine. This seems like an alcoholic game where friends/family are concerned about the amount of consumption.

why? because they have a drinking problem. lots of people do, are you not able to imagine the denial and deceit that comes with that?

The people I know with problems would never consider pretending to do a dry January. They wouldn't be strong enough not to drink in public, especially when everyone is drinking. They would not be able to pretend or withhold.

Well, based on what we've seen in the past - folks finding their spouse's hidden stash of alcohol or hidden empty bottles - hiding drinking isn't realllllly uncommon. But I think it's a sign of there being a problem. So, somebody might pretend they were doing dry January to appease a spouse, to fit in with the rest of their friends, etc.

Yes, I'm sure there are people in the world who fully intend to do a dry January, slip up and don't publicly admit it. I also wouldn't be surprised if there are a handful who never intend to stop drinking and say they will.

But I highly doubt there are people lying about it on this thread. This thread is a place of support and commiseration for those that are giving it a good faith effort. Respectfully, I'd ask that we keep it that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It honestly hasn’t been difficult at all — it’s just boring.

Anyone else think some people who claim to be dry are lying? It’s so easy to booze at home and just play pretend in public.

This is odd to me. Why would a person pretend to partake in dry January in public? In public with friends or out to dinner is where I want to drink. Once I broke the habit at home I was fine. This seems like an alcoholic game where friends/family are concerned about the amount of consumption.

Are you married? Most married couples are boozing at home; wine with dinner, husband sips scotch or whiskey. Maybe craft beer.

As for why lie? Because abstaining from alcohol is all the rage with yuppies right now. It’s trendy. To project an aura of superiority and discipline. The same reason people white lie about anything; to make themselves look better, I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm afraid I drank an entire bottle of wine last night.

Sorry to see this But today is a new day. Hugs

[Anonymous]

I've noticed a major shift in my thinking when I go to the grocery store. Before this month, I'd think about how I shouldn't buy any wine and then half the time I'd buy it anyway. It's really freeing to not even have that back-and-forth with myself. Buying wine isn't an option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've noticed a major shift in my thinking when I go to the grocery store. Before this month, I'd think about how I shouldn't buy any wine and then half the time I'd buy it anyway. It's really freeing to not even have that back-and-forth with myself. Buying wine isn't an option.

+1. Removing alcohol as an option and feeling like that's freedom has been a huge revelation. I don't have to worry about having a second glass of wine, or a whole bottle, and how that's going to make me feel in the morning. It leaves mental space for other things.

[Anonymous]

Finally listening to the audio book of Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker. While my alcohol consumption was no where near what Ms. Whitaker was drinking, it's still an interesting listen. It's helping to cement my decision about changing my relationship with alcohol.

[Anonymous]

This thread has been very helpful to me. I couldn’t stay dry, but I’ve dramatically cut back and only had five drinks the entire month so far. For me, that is a big improvement in my drinking.