Dry January

[Goodoer]

How did everyone's Dry January go?

I'm cheating right now due to how the weekends worked out, but I didn't touch a drop for the four weeks previous. Not impressive for some, but impressive for me as a long-time consistent drinker.

Things I noticed:
1. I'm injured... Shoulder, elbows, feet, back, neck... Its amazing what booze hid and what pain was masked,
2. I did sleep better. I went to bed earlier,
3. I got super horny... Fantastic morning wood. (The wife did not take advantage),
4. Not drinking alcohol was easier than I thought, but I still needed to drink. I replaced the habit with drinking other drinks (pop, Perrier, etc.). I wanted to drink when I was not busy. I needed to stay busy.
5. I had to change my routines... I left after hockey quickly... I went to my bedroom earlier to relax (TikTok, etc.), instead of downstairs where the beer awaits in the fridge.

Good luck to everyone.

 

[MuffDiver]

My last drink was a larger glass of red wine on January 7th. Prior to that was another larger glass of red wine January 1st. I did overindulge December 31st though. Not a drop of alcohol of any kind since then, so dry 22 days now and plan to do a dry February in full. That will be 53 days dry through February 29th.

I am already reaping the benefits health wise and in my bank account.

Not sure how long I will go, but I do plan to see my abstinence through to the end of February.

 

[bazokajoe]

My last drink was a larger glass of red wine on January 7th. Prior to that was another larger glass of red wine January 1st. I did overindulge December 31st though. Not a drop of alcohol of any kind since then, so dry 22 days now and plan to do a dry February in full. That will be 53 days dry through February 29th.

I am already reaping the benefits health wise and in my bank account.

Not sure how long I will go, but I do plan to see my abstinence through to the end of February.

If you get to the end of February, just keep going.

 

[MuffDiver]

If you get to the end of February, just keep going.

I have already been considering that! First thing first is staying dry for 32 more days.

 

[GeeBee]

How did everyone's Dry January go?

I'm cheating right now due to how the weekends worked out, but I didn't touch a drop for the four weeks previous. Not impressive for some, but impressive for me as a long-time consistent drinker.

Things I noticed:
1. I'm injured... Shoulder, elbows, feet, back, neck... Its amazing what booze hid and what pain was masked,
2. I did sleep better. I went to bed earlier,
3. I got super horny... Fantastic morning wood. (The wife did not take advantage),
4. Not drinking alcohol was easier than I thought, but I still needed to drink. I replaced the habit with drinking other drinks (pop, Perrier, etc.). I wanted to drink when I was not busy. I needed to stay busy.
5. I had to change my routines... I left after hockey quickly... I went to my bedroom earlier to relax (TikTok, etc.), instead of downstairs where the beer awaits in the fridge.

Good luck to everyone.

A tip that might keep it going for you, from a recovering alcoholic of many years. When you still need to drink something (really common in social settings and at home) the new varieties of non alcoholic beers are a great alternative to sodas etc… and you still get the taste of the beer that you’re missing. For some alcoholics it’s all we need, for some even the taste can push us off the wagon so it’s not for everyone.

There are tons of options that actually taste good now, beer, wine and spirits. And the social pressure to be drinking booze isn’t as common any more. I think there is a place on King west that sells way more variety than the grocery stores. Sobr Market I think.

And to your point 3 above, I know right??? I’m way hornier, get way better wood, and enjoy the sex way more sober than I ever did when I drank.

 

[bazokajoe]

I have already been considering that! First thing first is staying dry for 32 more days.

Wish you luck.

 

[Mr. J]

January's been a breeze for me. Then again, I've not had a drink since the end of last February, which is almost a year at this point.

 

[IM469]

Dry January .. ??? What a great idea ! I'm starting this weekend.

 

[Mandalorian]

Last drink was a champagne toast at midnight Jan 1st and havent touched a drop since. Sleep is way better, dinner bills much lower and Corona Sunbrew is the best of the0% brews but I do miss a fine Fri night scotch.

 

[Goodoer]

...However, I experienced vivid and violent nightmares practically every night....

Wow! I had them for only 2 nights the first week in. When waking, I'm typically one that'll say I never remember my dreams. Those nights I woke up sweating. Weird. I guess that's a thing.

...When you still need to drink something (really common in social settings and at home) the new varieties of non alcoholic beers are a great alternative to sodas etc…

I know deep down that I can't drink beer-like drinks as it'll be too close to the real thing. I need something completely different to help me with my cravings for delicious beer. (I can avoid all other types of alcohol without a problem).

 

[GeeBee]

Last drink was a champagne toast at midnight Jan 1st and havent touched a drop since. Sleep is way better, dinner bills much lower and Corona Sunbrew is the best of the0% brews but I do miss a fine Fri night scotch.

I agree the SunBrew is the best of the lighter ones. A buddy told me they sell it at Costco now!! How the world has changed.

 

[Insidious Von]

I haven't had anything stronger than a Dr. Pepper in almost a year.

I used to have a bad smoking problem which was mostly work related. Then I had a heart attack and they put me on The Patch. What they don't tell you about the The Patch is that the cravings came back full frontal after you complete the regimen. So I took up speed walking, haven't had a cigarette in almost three years. Without cigarettes alcohol didn't taste so good, I gave it up. Recently I gave up coffee (I'm now a Green Teatotaler), it made everything taste like chemo.

This silly exercise saved my life.

 

[Goldrod298]

I am not an alcohol drinker, never have been a consistent drinker and only drink in specific social situations and even then, when possible, will opt for non-alcoholic drinks. So not sure if I understand how many of you feel trying to quit.

But I was a long time smoker. I smoked for 15 years or so, up to 1 to 2 packs a day. So drawing from that experience with addiction:

The best way to quit, is to quit cold turkey. No substitutions, no alternate options etc., Just quit. It is going to be very difficult for a couple of weeks, but you can rely on your accomplishment, and sort of push yourself like you are running a marathon. Always tell yourself, just 1 more day, and do that every day - similar to how you refused to quit by saying just one more day.

It has been 7 years now, that I have touched a cigarette, and will never do so for the rest of my life. Best decision ever to become a teetotaler.

I was smoker too. On path of quitting for more than 6 months now. Haven't been successful in cold turkey approach as I tend to treat my self with a pack of cigarette every now and then.
I think I am not in favor of cold turkey quitting for myself as I never smoked high enough- like pack or two of 10s or 20s a day.
What I am happy with is the fact that I am able to average 1 pack of 20s per month from 10 packs (1 carton) as I use to do before.

 

[Goldrod298]

The reason you are unable to quit, is nicotine addiction. So even reducing it, or resorting to Nicorette, or nicotine patches or vaping - isn't going to work in your favour. It takes the body 7 to 10 days to clear nicotine from your body, and it takes a further 3 to 4 days to overcome withdrawal - which is usually feeling annoyed, sleepy, fatigued etc., So if you genuinely want to quit, I feel the cold turkey approach works best, unless you are reducing the 20 cigarettes a month, to 15 the second month, 10 the 3rd month etc., Try this app called SmokeFree. It helped me a lot.

Thanks, will check out the app, reasone I feel confident that this habit will be thing of past as I easily had streaches of more than 30 days without smoking a single one. And been keeping treadmill runs pretty consistently.

 

[MuffDiver]

Wish you luck.

Thanks! Still on target.