365 days without booze... join me?

[Joscal]

Well done all, be warned it gets addictive! In the best possible way..

[1ians]

Stuart70 said:

Fell off the wagon hard last night. First drink since NYE.
Feel shocking today.

Still, climb back on, I was feeling so much better - sleeping well, heart rate better, weight starting to come down.
Bloody habits! Onwards and upwards again....

Don’t feel bad, I fell off last weekend as it went downhill after a meal out. Not managed to get back on since.

[RammyMP]

Had a night away with work last week where I get a £35 allowance to spend on food and drink, I normally have a burger or something and a few pints, this week I had a pint of lemonade. To be fair, I didn’t miss the beer and I felt better for it the next day.

I’m not missing drinking on a Friday night as I got up at 6:30 this morning feeling great where as normally I’ve got a thick head. Tonight may be a struggle, the normal routine for a Saturday is a few beers watching the football then move on to the wine.

...11 days so far though, get today out of the way and it’s an easy route to over half way through the month!

[HairyMaclary]

Day 12. Woke up after a really good sleep and feel like I'd been drinking heavily. What's going on there?

Anxiety has pretty much reduced to nothing. A couple of negative auto thoughts entered my head earlier this week over an issue at work but that didn't last long after having a word with myself.

I gave up caffeine last year so not drinking has massively improved my sleep. I charged the fitbit up to see what's going on. The difference in awake minutes at night is scary when comparing peak pisshead. When I'm asleep now I'm asleep with very few instances of awake. Those that use the app will know what I mean.

This is all pointing to a longer dry January than I had planned.

[bristolracer]

Anyone else feel rough after drinking zero alcohol beers?
Still get a fuzzy head the next morning.

[HTP99]

Work Xmas meal last night; free bar but I didn't tough a drop and tbh I wasn't that bothered and I've woken up this morning with a completely clear head.

Interesting watching my colleagues getting slowly pissed though, it was quite fun seeing the changes in personality and for some the traces of their personality that are there but which tend to be in the background, however with a few drinks in them, these traits becoming a bit more obvious.

I left before it potentially got messy.

Edited by HTP99 on Sunday 12th January 11:35

[Fatlad1973]

bristolracer said:

Anyone else feel rough after drinking zero alcohol beers?
Still get a fuzzy head the next morning.

Definitely: if I have four or more Nanny States or similarly nice alcohol free ales I have a rough head the next day. I'm guessing there's a fair few nasties involved in getting the alcohol out.

I've done dry January for over a decade now, so it's been absolutely fine so far: not even bothered with AF beers yet, although a family gathering at mine today may well involve some.

I'm undecided as to extending the dryness beyond January: in many ways I don't want to give up and I enjoy booze a lot, but the down sides of the occasional out of control binging are significant too.

[ambuletz]

Not wanting to sift thruough 34 pages, my Question...

To those who are sort of used to just having something to sip on during the evenings as something to chill/relax...how did you change it up? did you replace it with something?

I'm thinking that perhaps the answer might be for me to have perhaps some sparkling water with a little cordial.

[Glade]

I noticed today Brewdog AF Punk, has 0.5%... so I guess it is just "low alcohol"... I put the box back as I am doing well so far and it seemed a bit of a cheat!

[Zirconia]

ambuletz said:

Not wanting to sift thruough 34 pages, my Question...

To those who are sort of used to just having something to sip on during the evenings as something to chill/relax...how did you change it up? did you replace it with something?

I'm thinking that perhaps the answer might be for me to have perhaps some sparkling water with a little cordial.

I saw it as a change of attitude, remove the usual and the associated to get out the habit.

But.
A chill for me is a bottle of Fentemans or similar, various niche cordial makers now as well, less preservative used in them compared to the usual suspects. Sparkling water and juice one combination, for the bubbles, but most of the time I slug back tap water (helps with gout) and chop up lemons or oranges and other fruit and drop it in a bottle with the water. Make your own flavours. Though clean the skin on some of them very well.

I steered clear of alcohol free stuff, all back to the complete break.

[Joscal]

I'm fond of soda and lime if I'm out. I did try the AF beers at the start but never liked beer before so really didn't see the point and I had the funny feeling the next day too (not sure if it's placebo?)

There's a whole range of alcohol free spirits being launched too I've only tried Seedlip but again I didn't see the point.

I've ordered three bottles of this to see what it's like, certainly reads well! https://threespiritdrinks.com/

They should be arriving today so I'll keep you posted.

[funinhounslow]

ambuletz said:

Not wanting to sift thruough 34 pages, my Question...

To those who are sort of used to just having something to sip on during the evenings as something to chill/relax...how did you change it up? did you replace it with something?

I'm thinking that perhaps the answer might be for me to have perhaps some sparkling water with a little cordial.

I was given a Soda Stream last year (has no idea they still made them!) so I have a fizzy water - adds a bit of “interest”. Prior to that I was buying loads of sparking water so the Soda Stream makes sense.

When I’m out I just stick to soda water with lemon and lime chunks (no cordial). Soft drinks and fruit juices are too sugary for me

[Norfolk B-roads]

Joscal said:

...

I've ordered three bottles of this to see what it's like, certainly reads well! https://threespiritdrinks.com/

They should be arriving today so I'll keep you posted.

Please do, I'm curious.

Although, I'm worried about the habitual aspect of pouring a sipping drink of an evening. I really don't know if it's a step forwards by offering an alternative to alcoholic drinks, or a step backwards by reinforcing old habits. I'm not interested in the various gin substitutes, but these seems different enough to maybe not have a direct mental link to an equivalent spirit which I'd no doubt prefer. I might give these a cautious go if your reports are positive.

EDIT: Never mind, just saw the prices. Hilarious.

Edited by Norfolk B-roads on Monday 13th January 12:27

[bristolracer]

funinhounslow said:

I was given a Soda Stream last year (has no idea they still made them!) so I have a fizzy water - adds a bit of “interest”. Prior to that I was buying loads of sparking water so the Soda Stream makes sense.

Do these use the little gas bottles?
What I'm asking is, does the gas keep ok in them?
If you don't use it for a few weeks would you need to charge it up with a new canister?

[Joscal]

Norfolk B-roads said:

Please do, I'm curious.

Although, I'm worried about the habitual aspect of pouring a sipping drink of an evening. I really don't know if it's a step forwards by offering an alternative to alcoholic drinks, or a step backwards by reinforcing old habits. I'm not interested in the various gin substitutes, but these seems different enough to maybe not have a direct mental link to an equivalent spirit which I'd no doubt prefer. I might give these a cautious go if your reports are positive.

EDIT: Never mind, just saw the prices. Hilarious.

Edited by Norfolk B-roads on Monday 13th January 12:27

I know exactly what you mean, it's strange isn't it I don't actually "need" a drink anymore as I'm nearly three years (with the odd wobble) off the strong stuff.

I think I'll keep it for special occasions or if I'm going out as I'm past the what do I do with my hands phase!

It is expensive, but I used to spend way more on a night out so I'm using man maths as always..

[thatsprettyshady]

Day 12 for me, had my last drink on New Years day, longest I've gone without a drink in ages! I've definitely had more energy and got up early each day without the effort required after an evening on the sauce.

Had a nice surprise today too, I've put on a bunch of weight recently and have not changed my diet since quitting the drink but I've managed to lose 6lbs with no effort at all. Mood is also better and I think the anti-depressant I've been taking for years has started working again.

[Smitters]

My go-to drink is now lime and soda in the pub, occasionally diet coke or ginger beer.

At home, it's water, coffee (caffeine free ater midday), various fruity teas, squash or one of those fizzy tabs for vitamins.

[Fatlad1973]

Glade said:

I noticed today Brewdog AF Punk, has 0.5%... so I guess it is just "low alcohol"... I put the box back as I am doing well so far and it seemed a bit of a cheat!

Have you been avoiding bananas too? Apparently they come in around 0.4% ABV...

I admire your black and white stance - in January I wouldn't have a tiny sip of my wife's wine (an amount comparable in alcohol with maybe half a banana!). But I think that 0.5% beers are really 'not more than' 0.5% so probably lower than that and comparable with loads of foods (e.g. orange juice). In Europe 0.5% beers are considered and labelled as alcohol free, but U.K. law stops UK producers doing this.

So to me they are not 'alcoholic' in my mind and, unlike the tiniest sip of my wife's wine, they can be drunk in Jan. You can not get drunk on them so if they help you enjoy Jan a bit more go ahead.

Slight caveat: a couple of articles I read suggest that for alcoholics 0.5% beers can trigger sensations that can lead to drinking proper beer. I have never felt at all that they put me on the slippery slope to wanting proper beers, but if you're at serious risk from drinking then maybe play safe and stick to the bananas!

[othername]

CrossMember said:

othername said:

...some all too familiar stuff...

Just want to wish you the best, and that it absolutely is possible to break the cycle. No need to do it alone. I couldn't, and had to ask for help, and that worked, and I wish I had sooner. I've even dropped one of very helpful pills after only 3 months.

Keep coming back here and checking in, and be open with those around you (family and friends and your GP) so they can help.

Back for an update, thanks Crossmember. My girlfriend knows and is very helpful, other than that I'm reading tons of stuff online.

Still not feeling *quite* right, but the anxiety effects have more or less worn off, and I don't feel like I'm about to drop dead at any moment.... Had some wine over the weekend, nothing too crazy, probably a bottle over the course of 6hrs whilst I was cooking a big meal (cooking is a bit of a hobby). Felt groggy Sunday but not too bad, we got up went and had a nice day out. Booze free. Been exercising as much as I can, running almost every day; that helps massively - feels like pressing a big reset button. Still finding it tricky to get off to sleep on occasion, but the further I get away from that stupid binge - the LAST one, I'm determined - the better I feel. Not sure I'm ready to stop completely yet, but massively cutting down intake to below recommended levels with lots of booze free days, making it a weekend treat instead of daily normality. It's a big step on. It'll be a slow road I'm sure, but as long as I keep in mind how awful it feels, and how much danger it puts your health in, is a huge motivation.

[365Clean]

othername said:

CrossMember said:

othername said:

...some all too familiar stuff...

Just want to wish you the best, and that it absolutely is possible to break the cycle. No need to do it alone. I couldn't, and had to ask for help, and that worked, and I wish I had sooner. I've even dropped one of very helpful pills after only 3 months.

Keep coming back here and checking in, and be open with those around you (family and friends and your GP) so they can help.

Back for an update, thanks Crossmember. My girlfriend knows and is very helpful, other than that I'm reading tons of stuff online.

Still not feeling *quite* right, but the anxiety effects have more or less worn off, and I don't feel like I'm about to drop dead at any moment.... Had some wine over the weekend, nothing too crazy, probably a bottle over the course of 6hrs whilst I was cooking a big meal (cooking is a bit of a hobby). Felt groggy Sunday but not too bad, we got up went and had a nice day out. Booze free. Been exercising as much as I can, running almost every day; that helps massively - feels like pressing a big reset button. Still finding it tricky to get off to sleep on occasion, but the further I get away from that stupid binge - the LAST one, I'm determined - the better I feel. Not sure I'm ready to stop completely yet, but massively cutting down intake to below recommended levels with lots of booze free days, making it a weekend treat instead of daily normality. It's a big step on. It'll be a slow road I'm sure, but as long as I keep in mind how awful it feels, and how much danger it puts your health in, is a huge motivation.

I can only speak from personal experience, but I would be wary of moderating. It's taken me several attempts at stopping to realise that those of us who consider ourselves problem drinkers will always be problem drinkers. I've probably given up 6 or 7 times and each time I've decided to start again, but to moderate my intake going forward. Each and every time it's gone ok at the start, but slowly over time consumption levels increase massively and I'm back to square one. Usually takes a matter of months. Perhaps you can do it, but I find it much much harder to moderate than to just stop. Alcohol Explained by William Porter is a good book to read, it's not preachy or NLP, like some of the books, but just explains some of the facts around alcohol and it's effects.

15 days for me now and am feeling ok, but am in the process of booking a few holidays and weekends away with my wife which would normally include lots of fine wine and food. I know those will be really tricky situations. My wife has joined on Dry January, so that's helping massively, but she'll start again in Feb, which again will will be tricky.