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Dry January - anyone doing this?

(85 Posts)
suzied Fri 04-Jan-19 10:00:49

Anyone doing Dry January this year? I'm doing it again and its day 4 and all going ok so far. It does help to cut down on bad habits. Anyone needing support? what strategies work for you? Don't come on and moralise about being teetotal or only having a thimble of sherry once a year, I'm interested in anyone who is doing it as a bit of a challenge.

Alima Fri 04-Jan-19 10:02:59

Naah, I’ll keep drinking the black coffee but good luck with yours.

Beechnut Fri 04-Jan-19 10:15:08

I find it’s that the glass you serve a drink up in helps. For me a cordial with water in a wine glass makes me think I’m treating myself and staying off the booze into the bargain.

EllanVannin Fri 04-Jan-19 10:20:05

I'm just scared of drinking alcohol since being on warfarin-----so excuse enough to steer clear altogether.

Riverwalk Fri 04-Jan-19 10:53:30

I'll be having a dry-ish January, that's all I can manage as have a few social things coming up.

I've got off to a good start though - had a bit of the lurgy the past few days so not been tempted!

FlexibleFriend Fri 04-Jan-19 11:21:48

I'm dry all year long and have been for decades, honestly never missed it but other people act very strangely when you say you don't drink.

merlotgran Fri 04-Jan-19 11:26:16

I'm doing Cutdownuary. grin

annsixty Fri 04-Jan-19 11:37:36

So am I merlot , when I get round to it.
I MAY start after 12th night, then again .....

Maggiemaybe Fri 04-Jan-19 11:47:26

Too many January events lined up here to consider this. smile But if it helps, I love a g & t, and find that alternating it with just the tonic helps keep down the consumption.

farview Fri 04-Jan-19 11:47:39

Also doing Cutdownuary!!

Pittcity Fri 04-Jan-19 12:14:17

We are. DH more than me as he is the one that opens the bottle.
We are trying to be careful with replacements though as fizzy soft drinks are not good.

Lynker Fri 04-Jan-19 12:29:27

I am......doing well so far. I had a G&T last night without the G! It was fine to be honest...I think having a glass of wine or G&T with dinner has become a habit......but I like it!

Marilla Fri 04-Jan-19 12:33:28

For me, January is a month for hot toddy and some lovely sloe gin. I admire you folks who have the will power to even contemplate giving up one of life’s small pleasures in the middle of winter.

Charleygirl5 Fri 04-Jan-19 12:36:46

I drink very little wine and have never touched spirits in my life. I would not know what a G&T tasted like. I have had whisky for medicinal purposes and thought it tasted revolting.

I will stay as I am, a bottle of wine every 4-6 weeks.

Greyduster Fri 04-Jan-19 12:37:06

Like others, I am doing dryish January. Since the 28th I have been non-A, but last night, having had a full on day with GS, I was totally knackered, and then this large G&T suddenly walked into the room and said “Hey babe! Just you, me and a slice of lemon! How about it?” What can you do? But I will be trying very hard.

KatyK Fri 04-Jan-19 12:39:49

I said to DH 'shall we do it?' He said 'January is depressing enough'. He's not a big drinker but likes a tipple. He's just had a full health check and he's fine. So that's a no from us.

GrannyGravy13 Fri 04-Jan-19 12:40:40

I have done dry January twice, D and BF are doing it. I am doing "damp" January as the AC gift was a show and dinner in London next week and I shall have wine and fizz.

The intention at the moment is to extend into February to compensate ? Cheers

dragonfly46 Fri 04-Jan-19 12:45:38

Since my breast cancer diagnosis I have discovered wine in which the alcohol has been taken out and it is quite palatable and as Beechnut said, if you serve it in a wine glass it is so much better

EllanVannin Fri 04-Jan-19 13:02:47

Very wise of you dragonfly.

Marmight Fri 04-Jan-19 13:50:01

No. Had an almost dry 2018 and after a completely sh***y Christmas and NY, for a number of reasons, I have taken to the bottle for January in preparation training for 6 weeks in Oz. Cheers ???

Teetime Fri 04-Jan-19 15:05:28

I am doing Cutdownuary and have found some nice new non alcoholic drinks to have - yesterday I had a Bottle Green Sparkling Apple presse which was very nice. I have ordered some Feverfew flavoured tonics in my Ocado shop too. Trying to at least half the week 'dry'. I know these drinks have sugar but its the alcohol reduction I am focusing on as well as reduced red meat and a few vegetarian/fish days per week Increase my exercise and that's it. Cant do it all

Nannylovesshopping Fri 04-Jan-19 15:13:41

Been poorly over Christmas and still not up to any shopping, so as I only have one favourite rhubarb gin and tonic a day and occasional small glass of red, I have decided to stay with my bad habit for the unforseeable future?

Atqui Fri 04-Jan-19 16:14:15

I did it last year, but Imhave decided to do a sort of 5:2 instead - the 2 being wine on Fri and Sat only. Was doing cutting down too but hit the left over biscuits just now after seeing damp patch on a ceiling !

Washerwoman Fri 04-Jan-19 16:45:41

Yes both of us. Tbh my DH has done dry January for 40 years.As long as I've known him.He had an uncle and great uncle that were alcoholics, and died early as a result of that.He maintains he likes to prove he can leave booze alone,and never waivers for the month.Whilst not a big drinker he is very sociable and towards the end of the year,as with most people,his consumption goes up.I actually love it .I'm a lightweight with alcohol, and apart from the odd G and T or glass of red,could happily forgo it.It just sends me to sleep .I love January because immediately DH stops snoring.Bliss !

oldbatty Fri 04-Jan-19 16:50:08

Greyduster, amazing a drink that that talks!