365 days without booze... join me?

[J4CKO]

Nearly at the end of Dry January, done it 5 out of the last six years and this has been the easiest, very little in the way of desire to have a drink, the 0 percent ones do help as you get the taste and texture and you realise how much of it that is, along with the ritual, and being hungry in a lot of cases. Its got easier with each passing year, first year I found it quite hard but did it, but I think your mindset gets adjusted and you realise the world wotn end if you dont have a beer.

Not sure how it will pan out now, might keep it going a bit longer but dont want to say I wont drink any more, but its been great this year to have that time away to get a perspective, that I can go out to the pub and not drink, can go for a meal and not drink and dont have to arrange the rest of life round it.

[tim jb]

J4CKO said:

Nearly at the end of Dry January

Any major weight loss / other benefits?

I've completely messed up dry January which usually doesn't cause a problem, but it's not happened this year. Contemplating what to do next.

[Blib]

Dry February, perhaps?

[tim jb]

Blib said:

Dry February, perhaps?

Yes, I should.

[Boozy]

Does anyone have any nice refreshing drinks they can suggest? I managed to do a night out with some other Dads (had Heineken and Stella 0/0) as well as two work trips away and managed not to drink! which to be fair was quite easy and in a previous life was definitely not my apprach!

Looking for something other than fizzy soda to drink of an evening at home, squash is mega expensive here in the US!

[thetapeworm]

Boozy said:

Does anyone have any nice refreshing drinks they can suggest? I managed to do a night out with some other Dads (had Heineken and Stella 0/0) as well as two work trips away and managed not to drink! which to be fair was quite easy and in a previous life was definitely not my apprach!

Looking for something other than fizzy soda to drink of an evening at home, squash is mega expensive here in the US!

About 480 days here, hop water is my go-to, essentially just fizzy water with hops infused and sometimes fruit.



Relatively rare in the UK but I think it's fairly established in the US?

(Apologies if it's been discussed previously, I need to catch up)

[JQ]

I use a Sodastream with ice cold water and a dash of lime cordial. I'm currently drinking a pint of it in fact. Really refreshing but not too sweet.

[funinhounslow]

Boozy said:

Does anyone have any nice refreshing drinks they can suggest? I managed to do a night out with some other Dads (had Heineken and Stella 0/0) as well as two work trips away and managed not to drink! which to be fair was quite easy and in a previous life was definitely not my apprach!

Looking for something other than fizzy soda to drink of an evening at home, squash is mega expensive here in the US!

100% this:

JQ said:

I use a Sodastream with ice cold water and a dash of lime cordial. I'm currently drinking a pint of it in fact. Really refreshing but not too sweet.

I'm assuming by "soda" you're referring to sugary soft drinks as opposed to "soda water"… In any case chilled Sodastream water is refreshing and cheap - gas refills last ages - and much less faff than dragging bottles of water back from the supermarket.

Guinness 0.0 is good for an occasional "treat" - all but indistinguishable from the original (to my tastebuds at least, but I haven't had an alcoholic drink since 2012)

[J4CKO]

Dry January ends today, sort of want to keep it going, but dont want to go full on no alcohol and make it into a thing.

But definitely would feel like a backwards step, not champing at the bit for a drink by any stretch.

Will see how I go, not going to have a drink tomorrow as its now Feb, then see how the weekend goes.

[ZedLeg]

Not drinking is only “a thing” if you make it one imo.

It’s a minority of people who care about it and if I’m being quite honest, caring about what other people thought was what got me into trouble with booze in the first place

[redrabbit29]

J4CKO said:

dont want to go full on no alcohol and make it into a thing.

There's a YouTube channel by a UK person who speaks about alcoholism and not drinking. He made an interesting video which covered this point, where he mentioned this kind of thing.

His point was that often when people give up they declare and make a vow to "not drink again". This can add pressure and like you say, make it a thing. Obviously this is only for some people.

His point was that one option is to not make this statement, but do as you have said... and just say "I won't drink tonight" and just go along with that.

I'm 122 days sober and don't think I will be forever but part of me wishes I hadn't started counting days.

[J4CKO]

redrabbit29 said:

J4CKO said:

dont want to go full on no alcohol and make it into a thing.

There's a YouTube channel by a UK person who speaks about alcoholism and not drinking. He made an interesting video which covered this point, where he mentioned this kind of thing.

His point was that often when people give up they declare and make a vow to "not drink again". This can add pressure and like you say, make it a thing. Obviously this is only for some people.

His point was that one option is to not make this statement, but do as you have said... and just say "I won't drink tonight" and just go along with that.

I'm 122 days sober and don't think I will be forever but part of me wishes I hadn't started counting days.

Bit like having the same lottery numbers and not putting them on, well not quite but you know what I mean.

I wouldnt say I was anywhere near a problem drinker so its easier for me, but I can put it away when I do, I go through phases and I do find it self limits as if I have a load one night, I am then turned off it for a few days really.

Not lost much weight, maybe 4 pounds but that is post Christmas, exercising but not eating that much better.

I find it quite relaxing not drinking which seems a bit backwards but no logistics of not driving, no cost involved, no feeling rough.

I do feel that we get so invested in the drinking culture it feels like its not optional, then there is that fear of missing out if you dont have a drink but its actually, for me, not made any difference.

I like going in my local for a crafty pint, see the folk I know in there, have a chat, well I can still go in, get a 0 percent and its more or less the same experience. Went for a meal the other night, had a 0 percent beer, drove and was same as normal, pub quiz, normally have 3 or 4 pints, had two or 3 0 percent beers.

Think we put too much focus on alcohol, its great if used right but so often it isnt or seen as more valuable than it is.

[Caddyshack]

J4CKO said:

redrabbit29 said:

J4CKO said:

dont want to go full on no alcohol and make it into a thing.

There's a YouTube channel by a UK person who speaks about alcoholism and not drinking. He made an interesting video which covered this point, where he mentioned this kind of thing.

His point was that often when people give up they declare and make a vow to "not drink again". This can add pressure and like you say, make it a thing. Obviously this is only for some people.

His point was that one option is to not make this statement, but do as you have said... and just say "I won't drink tonight" and just go along with that.

I'm 122 days sober and don't think I will be forever but part of me wishes I hadn't started counting days.

Bit like having the same lottery numbers and not putting them on, well not quite but you know what I mean.

I wouldnt say I was anywhere near a problem drinker so its easier for me, but I can put it away when I do, I go through phases and I do find it self limits as if I have a load one night, I am then turned off it for a few days really.

Not lost much weight, maybe 4 pounds but that is post Christmas, exercising but not eating that much better.

I find it quite relaxing not drinking which seems a bit backwards but no logistics of not driving, no cost involved, no feeling rough.

I do feel that we get so invested in the drinking culture it feels like its not optional, then there is that fear of missing out if you dont have a drink but its actually, for me, not made any difference.

I like going in my local for a crafty pint, see the folk I know in there, have a chat, well I can still go in, get a 0 percent and its more or less the same experience. Went for a meal the other night, had a 0 percent beer, drove and was same as normal, pub quiz, normally have 3 or 4 pints, had two or 3 0 percent beers.

Think we put too much focus on alcohol, its great if used right but so often it isnt or seen as more valuable than it is.

This is correct and we (the U.K. and many other countries) have allowed it to creep in to modern life that it seems normal to drink an unhealthy amount regularly.

Every celebration assumes alcohol, many enjoyable functions reveille around alcohol (going to sporting events and concerts etc.). It’s so normal that non drinkers are eyed as the outlier oddities.

[Mr Magooagain]

redrabbit29 said:

J4CKO said:

dont want to go full on no alcohol and make it into a thing.

There's a YouTube channel by a UK person who speaks about alcoholism and not drinking. He made an interesting video which covered this point, where he mentioned this kind of thing.

His point was that often when people give up they declare and make a vow to "not drink again". This can add pressure and like you say, make it a thing. Obviously this is only for some people.

His point was that one option is to not make this statement, but do as you have said... and just say "I won't drink tonight" and just go along with that.

I'm 122 days sober and don't think I will be forever but part of me wishes I hadn't started counting days.

That is how I’m going about it. I’ve not said I’m finished with booze and sometimes say I will have a drink at some point. But I’ve always hated going back to anything no matter what subject.
I’m just entering my 14 month without a drink.

[GTIfarmer]

Interesting not making it a “Thing” I have been in the counting cycle where done that approach several times over the last few years 30/60 got to 88 days once guess I like a target. But that falls down once I got there then what (back to old habits).
I will try not to count all I know my latest period of sobriety (1st Jan 😉), focus on how I feel and that bloody brilliant compared to a month ago main thing is interestingly is life is a little simpler / less stress giving me time and energy to focus on stuff I never got round t facing..
Who knows man maths may result in me treating myself will all the £ I am saving on a new car. Already treated myself to a new Garmin from all I saved in one month alone, next step for me is now fitness/Lowe my blood pressure further.

[Blib]

GTIfarmer said:

Interesting not making it a “Thing” I have been in the counting cycle where done that approach several times over the last few years 30/60 got to 88 days once guess I like a target. But that falls down once I got there then what (back to old habits).
I will try not to count all I know my latest period of sobriety (1st Jan ??), focus on how I feel and that bloody brilliant compared to a month ago main thing is interestingly is life is a little simpler / less stress giving me time and energy to focus on stuff I never got round t facing..
Who knows man maths may result in me treating myself will all the £ I am saving on a new car. Already treated myself to a new Garmin from all I saved in one month alone, next step for me is now fitness/Lowe my blood pressure further.

That's a very useful and is some cases a sobering(sic) exercise.

[MBVitoria]

Blib said:

GTIfarmer said:

Interesting not making it a “Thing” I have been in the counting cycle where done that approach several times over the last few years 30/60 got to 88 days once guess I like a target. But that falls down once I got there then what (back to old habits).
I will try not to count all I know my latest period of sobriety (1st Jan ??), focus on how I feel and that bloody brilliant compared to a month ago main thing is interestingly is life is a little simpler / less stress giving me time and energy to focus on stuff I never got round t facing..
Who knows man maths may result in me treating myself will all the £ I am saving on a new car. Already treated myself to a new Garmin from all I saved in one month alone, next step for me is now fitness/Lowe my blood pressure further.

That's a very useful and is some cases a sobering(sic) exercise.

I'm appalled to find that my typical alcohol spend per month including pubs and drinking at home is about £700. In January (after stopping) I've saved £1,000. Absolutely staggered. Strangely that's probably more of an incentive compared to the health benefits!

[V8Firm]

Provided I get my head on the pillow tonight without taking a drink of alcohol I will have been sober for 10585 days…..one day at a time.

I have had a huge amount of help and support over the years and learned early on that it is the first drink that does the damage and that if I didn’t pick up the first drink then I couldn’t get drunk! Life changing.

Haven’t given up for ever…just 24 hrs at a time. Where has that time gone?

I failed on so many previous occasions by swearing off the booze for ever only to fail after a few days.

Keeping my goals in bite size (24hr) manageable segments worked for me, and I hope, may work for others also. Worth a try.

Good luck everyone!

[Blib]

That's twenty nine years.

[Captain Smerc]

Have another