Liz's story: "I can honestly say alcohol ruled my life for 10 years, but it lost the war because I have taken my life back. "

After drinking for 10 years, I saw an advert for Dry January. I thought, “I can do this!” so I put my determined face on. I knew I wouldn't be able to refuse a drink for Hogmanay, so I set myself a starting date of 28 December 2018 to give me a challenge and a head start.

So 28 December arrived. I woke up with a positive but nervous feeling – could I really do this? I wasn't sure, but I was going to try! Who was going to win: me, or alcohol?

Grabbing a bottle of water out of the fridge, I sipped it throughout the day while people around me were drinking pints of cider. I didn't want to stop them drinking around me, but I also didn’t want to avoid people. Day one of my journey: I did it. I won’t say it was easy, but I managed it.

Day two: I woke up with a sick feeling. Was this my body starting to rebel? My body was craving alcohol. “Not today!” I thought, as I grabbed a bottle of water. Later that day I watched my husband pour himself a pint which was tough. I swear I might have been drooling watching the amber liquid filling his glass. But as I got into bed that night, not having had a single drop of alcohol, I felt a wee bit proud of myself.

Day three: I still felt rough, and even found it hard to get out of bed, but knew that if I caved and had a pint I would have failed my challenge - even though I hadn't even reached January yet. So, I carried on.

Day four: finally it felt like my mind and body were starting to be on same wavelength. I still had the sick feeling but this time, my stomach was rumbling! Because of my drinking I hadn’t been in touch with my body in a long time so hardly felt hungry - this was a strange but welcome surprise.

Day five: I started to tidy up my flat and found a whole lot of empty plastic cider bottles – I could start my own recycling plant! At £4.60 a bottle, now I know why I never had any money…

Day nine: it took me four days to tidy up my one-bedroom flat; amazing eh? When I was drinking the only thing I polished off was the bottle! Sitting bored in my clean flat I thought: “Is the month over yet?” and I decided to focus my mind somewhere else. “What did I used to do before I started drinking?” I thought. I can knit and crochet, though I’m not expert. I decided to give it a go to see if it took my mind off reaching for a drink.

Day fifteen: by this time I’d gotten the hang of crocheting, and thanks to online videos I could now crochet circles. I noticed that the dog had started liking me more, too! I was going out more and seeing people who I used to drink with, but I’d I have a cup of tea instead of drinking. The desire to drink had completely gone – I’d broken the cycle!

The last day of January: I survived Dry January! “Will I have a drink? No chance!” I thought. I felt good throughout the month, even though it was a rocky start. It was great to wake up without thinking about what I did last night and who I might need to apologise to.

If it weren’t for my family and friends I’d never have done it – I’d have caved on the first day. But if I can get past Hogmanay, New Year’s Day and my birthday I can do anything.

I am now 306 days sober. I feel like a different person; my skin is clearer and I've lost 4.5 stone. I can honestly say alcohol ruled my life for 10 years, but it lost the war because I have taken my life back.