Anyone doing dry January?

JimboJenkins said:
Exactly this. No setbacks so far, haven't even been remotely tempted luckily. I've read a lot on managaing setbacks, so I am preparing myself in case it happens.
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Some useful reading or audio books if you havent tried already

Drink:The new science of alcohol and your health by Professor David Nut
Sober on a drunk planet - Sean alexander
Alcohol explained - 1 & 2 William Porter
The Naked MInd by Annie Grace
Obviously the Big Book also!!

All helped me in my recovery journey

Take care JimboJ, and keep your amazing journey going on...and on...and on 👍
 
I went six months last year without wanting to have a beer. I've noticed particularly that after the one month that my sleep was much improved, I had more energy and felt sharper in my mind. It is said that despite common belief that alcohol spoils your sleep cycle, it might help you doze off initially, but it prevents you from getting to the deepest level of your sleep cycle which is the most refreshing. After a month off beer, seven hours sleep was enough to feel raring to go whilst a night having a few beers I'd need eleven hours but still feel groggy.

I think social stigma is a big hurdle for those who want to cut back / knock it on the head. Going to pubs/events generally people will be shocked if you say you're not drinking and instead have a cuppa or a soft drink. These days i'll have a beer if mi going on holiday or very rare special occasions, because in truth i quite like the feeling of being fresh/eating healthy and exercising.
 
Yep, made it through my first month, still going to keep sober. Still attending the AA meetings.
Had a bit of a knock last night when i woke to the message that a mate of mine died suddenly at our work. He was 45 - 3 months older than me. That's given me even more perspective on trying to remain as healthy as possible.
 
JimboJenkins said:
Yep, made it through my first month, still going to keep sober. Still attending the AA meetings.
Had a bit of a knock last night when i woke to the message that a mate of mine died suddenly at our work. He was 45 - 3 months older than me. That's given me even more perspective on trying to remain as healthy as possible.
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Well done mate, that's a huge achievement! Keep going!
 
JimboJenkins said:
I've had a lot of problems starting October 5, 2023, and since then have been on either 1l of vodka or 70cl vodka + a bottle of wine almost every day since then. Finally took the plunge into quitting on Jan 2nd, so am on the verge of completing a week sober for probably the first time in 8 years! Anyone on here been through similar?
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Well done pal, best of luck.
 
Just wanted to update this a bit, it's been a while. Had a big relapse a couple of weeks ago, had a big drink after after a depressing day which resulted in me being put in the back of an ambulance and then filled with benzos. So, I am trying to change other elements of my life that contribute to my drinking. I think its more than just stopping drinking. Its things like sleep pattern and making myself busy. So yeah. I did 68 days sober then snapped. I start again. I refuse to let it beat me.
Neto Borges is a legend
UTB
Thanks for reading
 
I stopped drinking, suddenly, on the 1st November last year. Been a big drinker my whole life, moreso in latter decades since the 'craft beer' stuff came along, which I loved. I stopped cos I've picked up a liver disease, which ironically isn't 'caused' by boozing, but is related to ulcerative colitis, which I've had for a few years now. Being told you have a liver disease, for which there is no cure, and will almost certainly shorten your life is a strange feeling. I already knew I was pushing my luck with the frequency, strength & volume of beer I was drinking. Something just clicked in me that it was the right time to stop, there & then. To give my liver an easier life, but also a feeling that I've had my fill of beer, and dont actually need any more. I have no regrets, I've loved drinking - my whole social life has been built around it - mates in pubs, football days, weekends away, eating out, countryside & urban walks.... everything. Do I feel any healthier for giving up? No, but thats probably because I have other medical issues. Do I miss meeting mates in pubs? Honestly..... at the moment, no. Once you break the habit, and you realise how much of the behaviour is habitual, I look at it very differently. I sometimes meetup, but find myself wanting to leave after an hour or so - its not the same without the booze. I'm adjusting to life after booze - my partner likes me more (I think?!), I have much more time to do other stuff (including thinking), and it does cross my mind just how much I've spent on booze (but as I said, not in a regretful way). So, no message from me - no wrongs or rights - I'm just saying wot my experience is. Annoyingly I have a google map marked with hundreds of pubs, taprooms & breweries all over the country I wanted to visit...... but I cant bring myself to delete them. Cheers.
 
JimboJenkins said:
Just wanted to update this a bit, it's been a while. Had a big relapse a couple of weeks ago, had a big drink after after a depressing day which resulted in me being put in the back of an ambulance and then filled with benzos. So, I am trying to change other elements of my life that contribute to my drinking. I think its more than just stopping drinking. Its things like sleep pattern and making myself busy. So yeah. I did 68 days sober then snapped. I start again. I refuse to let it beat me.
Neto Borges is a legend
UTB
Thanks for reading
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One off 69.. Oof!!

Don’t think of it as a backwards step tho.. you’re heading in the right direction. If that last time means you can put things in place to stop it happening again. Nothing is straight forward, nothing is linear.. and mistakes are how we learn.

Maximum respect for what you are doing.. it must be incredibly difficult and to put your story out there for others is incredibly brave and inspirational.

Keep posting, keep on trucking.. I wish I could say something better.
 
Hi Jimbo, you start again.

God knows how may times I stopped previously but now 19 years gone January since my last drink. Your right, it's not enough to stop drinking you've got to assess your life as a bigger picture, especially why you drink and when. I always convinced my self I was drinking socially I now realise many of the people I drank with were ****., they weren't really friends we just had one common friend, alcohol. The thing that keeps me sober now is the fact that I know, one drink and I will be back where I was 20 years ago.
 
I was woken up by paramedics/police the other night kicking my door in cause my mates were concerned. Totally due to me drinking that day while in a low mood.
 
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