Alcohol free January

I think a few people on here need to be a bit less smug and judgemental, it may surprise you, but most of us enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, a crisp cold G and T, etc., without getting hung over, boring or daft. I enjoy a glass or two of wine when out for dinner with friends, none of us get drunk or noisy. I shall however, be going alcohol free in January as it is part of no chocolate/alcohol/give my digestion a break, and i wish everyone else success. Lets keep up to date with how we all feel at the end of the month.

ethelbags you say you hate to go into a pub where people are laughing like idiots - presumably because they have drunk too much. I can't remember the last time i went into a pub like that. Most pubs these days are also eateries (they don't stay in business long if they aren't) and people go for the food, accompanied by a glass of wine or beer, not to get hammered and make fools of themselves. Perhaps you are frequenting the wrong pubs?

Im not being smug or self satisfied, anyone can get drunk any time as far as Im concerned, we are all adults and know the harm we are doing ot our bodies. My problem is that vIe seen the harm it has done to families, deaths it has caused, I had a half brother who was killed by a drink driver, ive known families driven apart due to alcohol. It scares me.

As ive said before people just giggle and act silly when inebriated, I hate to be like that, Ive tried it and I was so scared I would make a fool of myself or insult anyone. Yes I think that sums it up Im scared of drink.

And so many of those non-drinkers or abstemious drinkers seem drawn to asking why we moderate drinkers do it!

M0nica asks why we continue 'when the side effects are so unpleasant'. What side-effects? Unless you drink enough to ensure a hangover the next day, I can't think of any unpleasant side-effects a couple of glasses of your drink of choice causes...

One thing that always strikes me with threads like these - why are there so many non-drinkers who are convinced that their particular position is the only correct one?

I have never come across a (moderate, as I don't know any alcoholics) drinker who does his or her utmost to convince the teetotal that they should indulge occasionally.

Whatever happened to live and let live?

Monica this is was a thread started by someone who wants wanted to go alcohol free in January and was asking for support - so I will just ask you, and others (as you were not alone in this but at least you were the only one to consider what you wrote) do you consider your posts offered that support?

Just asking?

How can I ask the questions I am asking without appearing smug? Could someone rewrite my post in an appropriate unsmug style? Anya, why don't you try to do it?

I do not smoke, but I can understand why other people smoke because many smokers, despite the potential health problems, talk of the enjoyment they get from smoking, (why they smoke once the health problems kick in is a separate question) but with alcohol, that period when alcohol is a pleasurable feeling with no immediate side effects doesn't exist hence my curiosity.

Just made it Anya - come on over - I've just poured you a nice glass of wine red-grape shloer

You definitely have my respect Elrel - good luck

I shall endeavour to earn your respect!!?

And RESPECT if you can just drink tap water all month!

Eirel you sound like my kind of person - glaring at that bottle of rosé

Monica I didn't say some people were smug (perish the thought!) I just said they sounded smug - there's a big difference.

Anya - I'm not drinking anything except tap water during January. It's a sponsored challenge for WaterAid. I did it ok last year but it's not such a novelty this year. This evening I sat near an open bottle of rose at the table and glared at it!
Tegan - yes please, have a day on water to keep me company!

JG couldn't find an emoticon of a rat so will this little mouse do instead? ?

Abandon ship immediately ????

Anya
Searching for (((sinking ship))) emoticon

Not smug but genuinely puzzled why people want to drink alcohol frequently and enough to feel a month without drinking is really difficult.

There is no virtue in what I do. I am not abstemious. I do not drink alcohol much simply because I have never particularly enjoyed the taste of most alcoholic drinks. When I do drink I do not enjoy the fuzzy effect alcohol has on me when I have more than one drink nor do I like the results afterwards.

I do not understand why other people enjoy the unpleasant side effects of alcohol and I would be interested to hear from people who do drink more regularly why they enjoy the taste and effects alcohol has on them when they are so unpleasant - and most drinkers say they feel so much better if they don't drink or only drink occasionally. So why do it?

Elrel; I did a complete detox a few years ago and cut out tea and coffee [and a sponsored fast a few years prior to that] but don't think I could face not having a cup of tea now. Coffee I could possibly do without, alcohol is something I only drink occasionally and wouldn't miss it. I have had some wine, Cherry B, Babycham and Snowballs over the Christmas period but that's almost gone now. I may try drinking only water for one day and see how that goes; I don't drink anywhere near enough water these days. Could easily not eat for a day but the thought of no morning cuppa is a nightmare. I'm totally bemused by people needing to drink alcohol every day; if that sounds smug sobeit but I never realised that people did drink alcohol on such a regular basis. I pretty much gave up when my children were born as it took me all my time to stay awake and I won't drink at all if I'm driving or there is a possibility of having to drive.

This thread doesn't sound very supportive methinks. Too many people who have no need for a dry January as they barely touch the demon drink, and (.whether they mean to or not) sounding rather smug.

NanKate I'm off to the September Dryathon thread that JG flagged up, where there will be great support . Do feel free to leap over the wall, as it were, and join us there

I agree with you ethel. I drink more than you do but I frequently go weeks without drinking. What amazes me is that so many regular drinkers, I do NOT mean problem drinkers, say how much better they feel, physically and mentally after doing a dry month, in which case why on earth do they drink in the first place or return to it afterwards?

Relaxing with an alcoholic drink is more a mental construct than a physical one. It is associated with pubs and parties. Decide that you can relax with a elderflower drink or a lemon tea and only drink it for relaxation and it will soon be associated with that, as a way of winding down or stopping.

I have never had any problems with drinking non-alcoholic drinks when everyone else is drinking alcohol. Not now, not even when I was at university in the 1960s. Nor does it stop me enjoying a glass of wine with a meal and the occasional nightcap.

Ive been reading this thread with interest. What on earth do people like in alcohol. Ive had one glass of baileys today as it is New Year and Ive got a head that is spinning, the rest will either go to my DD who loves the stuff or more likely down the drain.

I hate it when I go into a pub and everyone is laughing like idiots, I hate talking to people who are drinking as they just laugh, alcohol is a potent drug and we are damaging our bodies, I don't think I will drink again ever apart from alcohol free wine maybe.

I would probably give it a go if my other half would do it with me but his excuse is that he doesn't like gimics.

It does get easier as the days go by honestly You can do it NanKate I can promise you will feel better for it Cambia - I found it quite an eye-opener when I did it in September!!
Not really sure why I started again ...
Keep going ladies

Already missing a nice glass of Merlot with our roast beef dinner tonight, but I am determined to keep my promise to myself.

Onward and upward.

Well, I can't bear waste so I am not going to waste the rest of that bottle of Prosecco we opened last night!

Going to try this for the first time with my husband this year. My kids have done it but I have never had the discipline! Not sure how we will get on....Really enjoy a glass of wine with our meal but it has become a real habit and always turns into two glasses. I know half a bottle between two isn't bad but would just like to prove to myself I can do it. Want to see how much better I feel without alcohol too. If it isn't a lot, then back to the bottle in February!!!