Dry January 2023 Thread

[Anonymous]

I planned 3 cheat days this Dry January for special events. After each one I have felt pretty bad. I hope to keep the healthier alternatives that I’ve used this month in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Husband and I are successfully following through with it for the second year in a row. Last year we were dry Jan-March. I really don’t feel like it helps us. I’m actually at a point where I think it’s pretty pointless and performative.

How can it not help you?

[Anonymous]

This is my first Dry January and I've had two really difficult days. The first was a party at a bar I mentioned upthread. The second was yesterday... No real trigger other than a cold weekday night with nothing on the agenda. All I could think to do was plop down on the couch with a cocktail and stare at the television. Didn't do it though! Puttered around the house for an hour doing little things (restocking TP in bathrooms, cleaning out work bag, etc.) and went to bed early. Yes, I scrolled social media for a good long time, but I wasn't drinking! And now I am up early without a hangover researching things I can do to keep busy this weekend.

With the added energy plus removing the option of thinking of "drinking" as a activity, it feels like I have three more hours in my day. Time to develop some real hobbies...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is my first Dry January and I've had two really difficult days. The first was a party at a bar I mentioned upthread. The second was yesterday... No real trigger other than a cold weekday night with nothing on the agenda. All I could think to do was plop down on the couch with a cocktail and stare at the television. Didn't do it though! Puttered around the house for an hour doing little things (restocking TP in bathrooms, cleaning out work bag, etc.) and went to bed early. Yes, I scrolled social media for a good long time, but I wasn't drinking! And now I am up early without a hangover researching things I can do to keep busy this weekend.

With the added energy plus removing the option of thinking of "drinking" as a activity, it feels like I have three more hours in my day. Time to develop some real hobbies...

I can totally relate to this - the sense of satisfaction from waking up well-rested. I'm working on long-term sobriety. I haven't had much trouble remaining sober this month, but I'm very aware of how a casual cocktail or glass of wine goes for me. Waking up feeling good is a great reminder of why I am doing this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is my first Dry January and I've had two really difficult days. The first was a party at a bar I mentioned upthread. The second was yesterday... No real trigger other than a cold weekday night with nothing on the agenda. All I could think to do was plop down on the couch with a cocktail and stare at the television. Didn't do it though! Puttered around the house for an hour doing little things (restocking TP in bathrooms, cleaning out work bag, etc.) and went to bed early. Yes, I scrolled social media for a good long time, but I wasn't drinking! And now I am up early without a hangover researching things I can do to keep busy this weekend.

With the added energy plus removing the option of thinking of "drinking" as a activity, it feels like I have three more hours in my day. Time to develop some real hobbies...

The extra time is really interesting. That's something I've noticed, too.

[Anonymous]

Saw this NPR article on the Mindful Drinking Fest that took place last weekend in DC. I wish I would have known about this!

https://www.npr.org/2023/01/26/1151100159/nonalcoholic-spirits-mindful-drinking-festival

[Anonymous]

90 days dry and the mental and physical health benefits really show - sleep, blood pressure, skin, energy, patience, less anxiety - and it has gotten easier and easier. For the first 30 days, on the advice of a therapist, I read lots of quit lit, listened to podcasts, changed habit for the 6 pm glass of wine to a quick walk and NA beverage, and journaling. Not everyone needs to be alcohol free, but for many of us, it is a real change you can make to your health.

[Anonymous]

Tonight was the night I struggled the most, because I got a call from the Dr that a biopsy I had done a couple weeks ago needs more testing, and I'm now scared to death I've got c*ncer. Wanted to open the bourbon right there and then. But I didn't. I busied myself until bedtime (now), doing some things I've been putting off for months.

I want to drink to celebrate, not to drown my fears.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:90 days dry and the mental and physical health benefits really show - sleep, blood pressure, skin, energy, patience, less anxiety - and it has gotten easier and easier. For the first 30 days, on the advice of a therapist, I read lots of quit lit, listened to podcasts, changed habit for the 6 pm glass of wine to a quick walk and NA beverage, and journaling. Not everyone needs to be alcohol free, but for many of us, it is a real change you can make to your health.

133 days here - yes to all of this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Husband and I are successfully following through with it for the second year in a row. Last year we were dry Jan-March. I really don’t feel like it helps us. I’m actually at a point where I think it’s pretty pointless and performative.

How can it not help you?

What magical thing do you think it does?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Husband and I are successfully following through with it for the second year in a row. Last year we were dry Jan-March. I really don’t feel like it helps us. I’m actually at a point where I think it’s pretty pointless and performative.

How can it not help you?

What magical thing do you think it does?

Your heart, liver, and kidneys are much better off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tonight was the night I struggled the most, because I got a call from the Dr that a biopsy I had done a couple weeks ago needs more testing, and I'm now scared to death I've got c*ncer. Wanted to open the bourbon right there and then. But I didn't. I busied myself until bedtime (now), doing some things I've been putting off for months.

I want to drink to celebrate, not to drown my fears.

Sending good thoughts your way

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Husband and I are successfully following through with it for the second year in a row. Last year we were dry Jan-March. I really don’t feel like it helps us. I’m actually at a point where I think it’s pretty pointless and performative.

How can it not help you?

What magical thing do you think it does?

Your heart, liver, and kidneys are much better off.

Concretely so. Nothing magical about that. PP is such a dunce we should let them drink themselves to death

[Anonymous]

Easy this year. Lost 15 pounds in the process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Easy this year. Lost 15 pounds in the process.

I’m only on day 29 and I’ve lost 2 lbs. No change in diet, same amount of exercise. Including 1/2 inch in my waist.

I’m going to keep going.