[Drinking] Dry January -- anyone continuing?

[Normal Rob]

Brilliant observation. I’d forgotten that this was something that really made me confront the question of how much I was drinking. Just after Christmas I peered into the recycling wheelie bin and saw it crammed full of tins and bottles. Yes I’d had a couple of visitors but still, I was staggered by the quantity of booze-related debris I was accumulating every fortnight. Really brought it home.

Or the shame of being caught by neighbours as I snuck down the street putting bottles into all of their recycling boxes as ours was overflowing and we still had over half of it left to be put out. Happened many, many times.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

It’s really strange isn’t it. I could have run a marathon and people would say “yay, that’s amazing”, or climbed a mountain and people would pat me on the back…but I give up drinking (arguably better than both of those) and I had comments like “why would you want to do that“ or “why would you want to torture yourself“. But hey ho, on I go, it actually makes me more determined to be honest.

5 years and a few months here…

Same for me. Don't miss it at all.

 

[CHAPPERS]

The *only* downside I've found of not drinking is that Guinness 0.0 (I used to love the odd pint of the original stuff) gives me a banging headache - even just one can!

This stuff is incredible - https://mashgang.shop/products/mg-x-siren-call-of-the-void-0-5-nitro-stout-440ml-4-pack

Bit more to it than Guinness so you only need one or two.

 

[OzMike]

I used to drink quite heavily, especially on Friday nights.
I found my working week starting to include Saturdays as I got busier and it was hell working with a hangover.
Once, I actually tripped whilst working on a roof and went tumbling down.
Luckily the roofs are not steep here and I managed to turn my body as I went over the edge and grabbed the guttering.
I did the math a realised that it was a single story house , like most here, which had 8 ft ceilings.
I am about 6ft and with arms out stretched would be taller.
I looked down and saw I was only 18 inches or so off the floor, so let go.
Lucky I managed to turn on the way down though.
I have since cut right down and only have about 6 pints all week, not over the beer, just over the hangover !

 

[The Clamp]

I had a slip after the game but I’ll forgive myself as I’m on leave and we kicked them in the nuts but have been off booze for a while now and going to continue for the year ahead.

I am trying to get into the best shape of my life.

Currently working my way through the Royal Marine Commando recruit fitnesss training program.

I imagine it’s a watered down version for civvies but lots of running, bodyweight exercises, circuits, and yomping.

So it’s getting me up onto The Downs too, a plus.

I want to get fitter for work too. A few shouts I’ve had where I’ve had to run and then tackle someone and I’ve been gassed when I’ve got there. I’ve managed but I’d like to make it easier on myself.

With no booze it also means I’m not tempted to pick up a ciggy either.


And frankly, I just got bored of it. The grogginess next day, the money spent, the crap food eaten when drunk.

There are a few occasions I’m going to drink this year. But they total three. The rest of the time, it’s a sober TC and I’m genuinely loving it.

 

[KZNSeagull]

I did my own dry January in 1994 before Dry January was a thing. Went for a drink on 1st Feb, took one sip and instantly hated it and I have never drunk since. If I have a sip of anything alcoholic then I feel instantly ill. Someone on here years ago said that there was a thing called "spontaneous alcoholic remission" so maybe that is what I had/have, but I don't regret it for an instant. I must have saved a fortune which, sadly, I don't have

 

[sydney]

I failed dry jan. I had a few celebratory beers early in the month after some good news, and also cracked by having some beer at the wolves game, and then 3 pints at the Palace game (not Jan, I know). However the non drinking days totalled a month off.

I did something similar in 2021 until april and lost 15 kg. Over time and with life and job stress, 11 kg went back on and I was having 2-4 pints probably times a week.

I'm looking forward to Spurs away where we have a big curry booked in with some old spurs supporting mates - but other than that, I don't see an occasion where i would want to drink until middle of march.

I can envisage a world with no booze, and it doesn't particularly bother me - i do feel like a switch has gone in my head where i just don't seek it like I used to. Even the palace game would have seen me get home and get on it, but i managed half a bottle of Harvey's and that was enough.

3 or 4 dry days a week is a very good start to healing your body. If you don't miss it you've already won the battle..

 

[Chicken Run]

I had a slip after the game but I’ll forgive myself as I’m on leave and we kicked them in the nuts but have been off booze for a while now and going to continue for the year ahead.

I am trying to get into the best shape of my life.

Currently working my way through the Royal Marine Commando recruit fitnesss training program.

I imagine it’s a watered down version for civvies but lots of running, bodyweight exercises, circuits, and yomping.

So it’s getting me up onto The Downs too, a plus.

I want to get fitter for work too. A few shouts I’ve had where I’ve had to run and then tackle someone and I’ve been gassed when I’ve got there. I’ve managed but I’d like to make it easier on myself.

With no booze it also means I’m not tempted to pick up a ciggy either.


And frankly, I just got bored of it. The grogginess next day, the money spent, the crap food eaten when drunk.

There are a few occasions I’m going to drink this year. But they total three. The rest of the time, it’s a sober TC and I’m genuinely loving it.

If your under 35 why not be a RMC TC, the Corp kneed people like you?

 

[Commander]

It's mad how the culture in this country revolves around booze so much. I'm not sure it is like it in many other places. Not drinking at all is a bit boring, but mainly because of the way our society is here. I don't think it would be in most countries.

I definitely drink way too much, but I do still really enjoy it, and rarely drink in the week unless there is an Albion game on / work event or something. I definitely think moderating your drinking is harder than abstaining altogether.

 

[dolphins]

I stopped just after the first week in January; I'd not overdone things in December on the booze front but with the festive food etc., thought I needed to try and shed a little before my spring hols. I've managed (despite some sh!t family issues) to keep off it, and have been enjoying the odd can or two of Guinness 0.0 which I don't think gives me a headache, thankfully - and Majestic currently have it on offer (four cans for a fiver) so have stocked up a bit. Still got a fair number of bottles of Harvey's in the "cellar" (got some for Christmas) and some other bits and pieces, and I know I'll drink them, but it's often worth a reset I find. I've got a get-together with some very old chums coming up this month but will try to stick to No/Low instead of getting caned (which is the norm for those get-togethers!).

 

[The Clamp]

If your under 35 why not be a RMC TC, the Corp kneed people like you?

Very kind of you to say CR, but let’s just say I am slightly over 35

 

[marcos3263]

Im still not drinking and having found alcohol free gin and tonics (Tesco better than Gordons) to add to Guinness 0.0 will continue for a while longer.

it may come crashing down on 14th when its both Valentines and my wife's birthday but equally don't want to drink and make a tit of myself as I am not used to it.

I do miss a decent robust red wine.

 

[Jim in the West]

Interested to hear what others are drinking instead. At home we have got into the habit of drinking a glass or two of wine with every evening meal. I'm now beginning to think that's not really a good idea! We've been searching for decent non-alcoholic wines (and spirits) for ages, and always been disappointed. But recently have come across a few non-alcoholic drinks that we really like:

Strykk non-gin....add tonic, ice and a twist of lemon, and it's great!
Zeno red wine....has a very slight vinegary taste at first, but (for me) by far the best zero alcohol wine I've tasted
Thatchers Zero (cider)...almost indistinguishable from the alcoholic version - very nice on a warm day.

 

[The Clamp]

Interested to hear what others are drinking instead. At home we have got into the habit of drinking a glass or two of wine with every evening meal. I'm now beginning to think that's not really a good idea! We've been searching for decent non-alcoholic wines (and spirits) for ages, and always been disappointed. But recently have come across a few non-alcoholic drinks that we really like:

Strykk non-gin....add tonic, ice and a twist of lemon, and it's great!
Zeno red wine....has a very slight vinegary taste at first, but (for me) by far the best zero alcohol wine I've tasted
Thatchers Zero (cider)...almost indistinguishable from the alcoholic version - very nice on a warm day.

I understand why people go for soem of the non alcoholic wines and beers etc.

Personally, I used to drink to get pissed so they don’t really appeal to me. I didn’t mind the odd Malbec but I’m not that fond of the taste of most alcoholic drinks.

I gather the choice and quality of non alcoholic drinks has improved greatly these last few years.

As for me, I have lime and soda, orange and lemonade or a cup of tea. I also like Vimto squash.

Yep, the Wildman of West Sussex

 

[Chicken Run]

Very kind of you to say CR, but let’s just say I am slightly over 35

Oh, well maybe go down the Bear Ghrills route

 

[dolphins]

I understand why people go for soem of the non alcoholic wines and beers etc.

Personally, I used to drink to get pissed so they don’t really appeal to me. I didn’t mind the odd Malbec but I’m not that fond of the taste of most alcoholic drinks.

I gather the choice and quality of non alcoholic drinks has improved greatly these last few years.

As for me, I have lime and soda, orange and lemonade or a cup of tea. I also like Vimto squash.

Yep, the Wildman of West Sussex

I've never drunk to get pissed so the flavour has always been the important thing for me. No/Low offerings have come on in leaps and bounds in recent years as they sort out different methods for creating the alternatives to the full-fat versions. At one point, wasn't Kaliber about the only thing on offer? Now, there are some great alternatives to be had, and pubs and restaurants are getting to grips with the potential profitability of stocking such things. Supermarkets too - whereas they used to maybe begrudgingly have something lurking on a shelf, fairly hidden, many now have a decent selection of all types.

 

[BevBHA]

Would be great to get some advise from my older peers on here with regards to this. I’m in my late twenties and have been trying to stop drinking completely, I have a young family (my boy is 2 years old) and am also unfortunately in the rent game and would love to get out of it, so these are the two main aims to stop; to save a little extra money for a house deposit, and to spend the valuable time I have around work with my son without being miserable due to a hangover, or drunk. I don’t want him growing up with a dad that always drinks, and I have reduced significantly since he was born. I have never had a drink in my house in front of him, and can quite easily do tasks like dry January if I’m home the whole month, I never fancy a drink at home.

However, I find the money I am saving in the general weekly shop etc I am probably spending double when I do go out to make up for it. The in laws took over management of a pub a couple of weeks ago, and I went to support them on Saturday night and woke up Sunday over £200 lighter. I’m finding whenever I go out to socialise I go big, very big and get absolutely plastered and make sure my mates do aswell along the way. I find it physically impossible to say no to at least 1 beer when I’m invited out, and once I’ve got the taste, well, the rest is history. The answer, though, is not as simple as just dont go out. My social life is important to me and as I say, in my late twenties, meet ups with friends tend to be in pubs, restaurants or at the football. All places alcohol are readily available.

Anyone else gone through something like this? Or any recommendations would be much appreciated.

 

[dolphins]

Would be great to get some advise from my older peers on here with regards to this. I’m in my late twenties and have been trying to stop drinking completely, I have a young family (my boy is 2 years old) and am also unfortunately in the rent game and would love to get out of it, so these are the two main aims to stop; to save a little extra money for a house deposit, and to spend the valuable time I have around work with my son without being miserable due to a hangover, or drunk. I don’t want him growing up with a dad that always drinks, and I have reduced significantly since he was born. I have never had a drink in my house in front of him, and can quite easily do tasks like dry January if I’m home the whole month, I never fancy a drink at home.

However, I find the money I am saving in the general weekly shop etc I am probably spending double when I do go out to make up for it. The in laws took over management of a pub a couple of weeks ago, and I went to support them on Saturday night and woke up Sunday over £200 lighter. I’m finding whenever I go out to socialise I go big, very big and get absolutely plastered and make sure my mates do aswell along the way. I find it physically impossible to say no to at least 1 beer when I’m invited out, and once I’ve got the taste, well, the rest is history. The answer, though, is not as simple as just dont go out. My social life is important to me and as I say, in my late twenties, meet ups with friends tend to be in pubs, restaurants or at the football. All places alcohol are readily available.

Anyone else gone through something like this? Or any recommendations would be much appreciated.

Maybe try the No/Low alternatives that most if not all of these places offer. Not sure about football grounds in general though...I suspect some wouldn't bother with No/Low but I think they might be surprised at the take-up.

 

[Commander]

Would be great to get some advise from my older peers on here with regards to this. I’m in my late twenties and have been trying to stop drinking completely, I have a young family (my boy is 2 years old) and am also unfortunately in the rent game and would love to get out of it, so these are the two main aims to stop; to save a little extra money for a house deposit, and to spend the valuable time I have around work with my son without being miserable due to a hangover, or drunk. I don’t want him growing up with a dad that always drinks, and I have reduced significantly since he was born. I have never had a drink in my house in front of him, and can quite easily do tasks like dry January if I’m home the whole month, I never fancy a drink at home.

However, I find the money I am saving in the general weekly shop etc I am probably spending double when I do go out to make up for it. The in laws took over management of a pub a couple of weeks ago, and I went to support them on Saturday night and woke up Sunday over £200 lighter. I’m finding whenever I go out to socialise I go big, very big and get absolutely plastered and make sure my mates do aswell along the way. I find it physically impossible to say no to at least 1 beer when I’m invited out, and once I’ve got the taste, well, the rest is history. The answer, though, is not as simple as just dont go out. My social life is important to me and as I say, in my late twenties, meet ups with friends tend to be in pubs, restaurants or at the football. All places alcohol are readily available.

Anyone else gone through something like this? Or any recommendations would be much appreciated.

Well if you're in your late twenties and have a 2 year old son then it's only a few more years until you can't bear the idea of going out socialising and going big. Your social life will fall apart and you'll be too tired and aching and broken to want to do anything like that ever again.

So no need to worry, time will heal you

 

[The Clamp]

I can honestly say that meeting up with friends and having dinner or lunch, alcohol free is a joy.

Would have been unthinkable in my twenties.

Apart form anything else;

Meal without alcohol = £20/25 each

Meal with alcohol = £50-70 each.

No brainer these days

And a night in the pub isn’t much cheaper. At £6.50 for a mediocre IPA in The Bridge