Who's signing up for a "Dry January"?

SailorSam

I don't drink much anyway. So stoping completely for the month wouldn't make much difference.

kingfisherblue

I don't drink alcohol at all, but it comes in handy whenever I'm out - I'm designated driver. For those who still go out but want to stay dry, just offer to drive.

InsideInsurance

Had been thinking about it but havent decided yet.

One of the issues is that I have a tour of a gin distillery and winery in January and seems a bit of a waste to go on them, paying their fees and then not being able to sample anything.

Second issue, which probably doesnt put me in a strong light, is just the drinks culture in the industry. Sure few are going to laugh at you or call you names as some suggest here that they might but you go on a client dinner or drinks and half the time there is a glass of something nice waiting for you and its hard to tell them to send it back and bring you a soft drink instead.

On the other hand, weight would most likely benefit from it. Cut down previously heavily and lost a good few pounds but at that time I was working USA time from the UK and so didnt have almost daily invites to different events etc so was easier.

purpleshoes_2

I spent from the 2nd of Jan last year to the end of May alcohol free, it wasnt half as bad as I thought it was going to be. Plus you can get some alcohol free wines and beers that taste ok if water, cola or soda and lime isnt your thing. I had a drink after that point as I was on holiday, but spent another few months off alcohol when I came back.

Nothing wrong with the occasional tipple if that is something people enjoy, if folk don't make it through Jan without having a drink, no biggie, there are plenty of months in the year you can go booze free and be sponsored if thats what you choose, theres also stoptober as well.

One of my friends never drinks in January and hasnt done for a long time, just to prove that he can.

LilElvis

Nope. No way. Not going to happen.

I have a 4 year old psycho-toddler, so it's a choice between vino or Prozac :beer:

Good luck to all who have the willpower to go through with a dry January ...... I will have another drink on your behalf

debjay

I'm in. I did it last year as my son bet me that I couldn't. I had been drinking too much prior to this.

Since then I've radically cut down on my drinking this year. From virtually 5 nights out of 7 to 2 nights per week.

elsien

A friend and myself are doing it but are allowing ourselves 2 exemptions each during the month. It doesn't entirely defeat the object as there's a bit more tippling going on than is good for us so we reckoned with we needed to allow a couple of blips otherwise we'd give in too quick.
Kind of the alcohol version of weight watchers sins. And a week or two without a drink is still way better than what's happening now.

melanzana

It would be easier in February IMO.

January is too depressing with bills and all that, and the gloom of nothing to do with Christmas preps all over now..... If you are into that kind of thing.

Better to leave any resolutions until the dark nights recede.

Too much gloom in January.

But then again, some might like the penance of it. Not me!

We will be a long time dead after all.

Edwardia

I drink champagne but no other alcohol so generally I'll only have it at Christmas, NYE, my birthday.

Alternative suggestions

Sparkling water eg Badoit, Pellegrino, Perrier with slices of lemon or a wodge of lime
Water eg Evian, Volvic (but beware calories in the flavoured waters)
Coconut water eg Zico
Orange juice, pineapple juice
Appletise
Virgin cocktails if at a proper bar ie without alcohol
Non-alcoholic Becks
Grape juice
Rochester mixed berry punch

room512

OH gave up drinking in May 2012 as he had become alcohol dependant and he hasn't touched a drop since :beer: (I liked the irony of this emoticon!) He now drinks non alcoholic sugar free fiery ginger beer as it gives you 'a kind of a kick' (his words) and each evening drinks this instead of alcohol.