Can you go without booze for 31 days?

I do like the taste unfortunately; polished off loads of Sainsburys Mulled wine over the past few days, after my daughter brought some over at Christmas. Saw it was on offer so bought two more bottles and just kept drinking the stuff. Same with things like advocaat, tia maria and cherry brandy; I can just knock it back. If it's not in the house I don't bother but, once it's here and it's opened it just calls to me [like an opened box of chocolates or, when I smoked, a packet of cigarettes]. If I didn't have the strength of character to do without totally I think I'd have a problem [would be a fat, chain smoking alcoholic ]. I can see how easy it is for some people to go across the dividing line, especially when they have a stressful job. My ex was once brought home by the police, having been found lying in the road [and I still never realised he had a problem]. I'd been sitting up with the children waiting for a call from him [pre mobile phones] to pick him up from the station .

Tegan I think many high functioning alcoholics are very good at blaming others for the fact that they drink. I grew up with a high functioning alcoholic whose alcohol use killed him (though he never blamed anyone else and I loved him dearly). I have others in my family who seem hell bent on repeating the same course of events to my great concern and grief. I agree with baubles and have to admit I find it difficult to be objective about alcohol in general. That's not to say that I don't have the occasional alcoholic drink but I have a deep-rooted fear of ever becoming dependent on it. The fact that I don't really like the taste does help. I do hope some will take this challenge.

Strangly enough after reading what granjura wrote, had a conversation last night with someone that pointed out that my ex is a high achieveing alcoholic. It was always assumed within his family that his drinking was due to being married to me [both the fact that I'm not easy to live with and the fact he was unhappy in his marriage]. Two relationships on from me and he's still the same and latest relationship is going pear shaped. I hardly ever drank when I was married [with the children I always felt that one of us needed to be totally sober at all times] and hardly drink now. He needs help but none of us know how to help him [and, it isn't really my problem any more, other than the fact that I still care about him]. His drinking started during his student days and has carried on from there.

At the launch event of this campaign which I attended, there was a lovely young man (in his 20s) , just on ordinary bloke, who spoke and said he did it last year in memory of his friend who was killed by a drunk driver, and, he felt so good after one month that he decided to extend it to this coming January, make it a dry year.

His talk was very moving and that was when I was sold on the campaign.

I haven't drunk alcohol since June 2009 so can't join in the challenge.

Good post (yesterday 18.01) Granjura

I know of one or two people who said they would do it but have already given up which tells me that their consumption of alcohol is such an ingrained habit that it would take a real effort of will to stop. I am loath to label anyone but if a person can't easily live without a mind altering drug for any length of time then they have a problem in my opinion.

As a non drinker I occasionally feel left out socially as our culture is very alcohol driven. I'm not talking about the occasional glass of wine but the constant 'wine o'clock' culture which seems to have developed since it has become so much more acceptable to drink from noon onwards.

If the Dry January campaign makes a few people question their own drinking habits then it is worthwhile.

Last February, during Lent, I met the challenge to abstain from Gransnet for 6 weeks or so.

Thirty-one days without alcohol would be a doddle compared with that achievement.

That sounds very encouraging. Perhaps I'll try abstaining - when we finish this opened bottle of Pinot Grigio tonight. Can't waste it - it's far too good!

New Scientist publishes research that says it gives your liver a well deserved holiday ...

Tea - I don't know whether I could manage long without a cup...

I often go thirty-one days without an alcoholic drink so it's not really a challenge, otherwise I might join in. Strangely, although I didn't drink coffee for nearly thirty years from when I was first pregnant with DD1 (just went off it), I would find it a challenge to go thirty-one days without that now.

So- anybody joining the challenge with Grannyknot? Hope she won't be all on her own from GN.

That was to nonu btw

Only metaphorically.

Katy, the campaign organisers would be very happy with you, this is exactly one of their aims, to start a conversation about alcohol.

I also didn't think you were serious for one minute, the give-away that you were joking was the play on the "31".

I'm more concerned that you show the forum to your husband.

Big hug to anyone who has had to deal with the effects of alcoholism.

Really , so you say you are pulling Katys leg . interesting !!

I just read it. Haven't got a clue what it means.

Katy I'm pulling your leg.

JING ?????read my pm

Lots of this for you Katy.

it didn't offend- and was misunderstood. And yes, humour is great.

However, if you read about highly functioning alcoholics (and I am sure it is NOT the case here) - the use of humour is all part of the denial process. Nuff said. But perhaps we should go back to the OP and what it was meant to do.

Katy , lots of warm hugs to you !!

It did n't offend.

Maybe I chose the wrong smiley then. As Ana says, if I had a drink problem would I really be telling the world? It was meant to be a light-hearted comment. I didn't realise it would offend.

Well, Katy would hardly make such a post if she thought she might have a problem!

Let's get things in perspective here, I know it's a very serious topic but sometimes a little light relief seems the right thing at the time. I'm sure no one is taking the subject lightly.

Well, you did say it Katyk. With no sign of a wink. Just a

Nonu Granjura - My father was an alcoholic so I know how family can be affected. I'm sorry if my 'joke' backfired.