*Personal details have been changed for privacy
I have always enjoyed drinking. Wine with dinner, port with cheese, beer at the pub, whisky of an evening. Champagne and fizz to celebrate and alcohol to fuel a gathering.
However, this changed after I had a cancer scare during the Covid-19 pandemic. After undergoing treatment including radiotherapy and chemotherapy, I looked to take up running through Parkrun and to cut down on my drinking. I aimed to be my fittest self, wanting to survive whatever life throws at me in the future.
I have always found that keeping to a 14 units limit feels virtually impossible, if you drink. So, my strategy is to cut out three days a week and use the Try Dry® app to count my units and help me stay on track. With the help of the Try Dry® app, 2024 was my first ever Dry January® challenge and doing it really helped kick start the year for me. Following January, I never quite got to less than 14 units a week, but I did reduce my drinking over the months gradually.
In 2025, I completed my second Dry January® challenge to kick start the year. I found completing the challenge easy, as personally for me one decision to stop drinking for a month is easier than multiple decisions to cut down.
Resetting my relationship with alcohol is taking time, but I do think I am getting there. It's especially tricky to forge that reset when you live with someone who also enjoys a drink. But for me it is definitely worth the challenge and, after over a year, I don't feel so much pressure to join in with other people in drinking to excess. Hopefully, some of my changes will rub off on others close to my heart, and maybe this year I can master the 14-unit week!
I have read all the blogs on the benefits of doing the Dry January® challenge but, to be honest, I didn’t notice too much difference myself. However, I know deep down it is good for me, both physically and mentally to reduce the number of weekly units I drink, and I was really pleased to complete the 2025 challenge.
After doing the Dry January® challenge in both 2024 and 2025, I’ve experienced a slight sense of dread each time as the end of the challenge approaches. I’ve wondered, ‘how will I fair going back to drinking?’. That’s where the Try Dry® app comes in; it’s now my go-to to help to keep me on track.
