Did you take part in Dry January and want to continue into the new year? Or the challenge didn’t go as planned and you want to try again? Continuing dry habits into 2024 is a great goal, but it can be difficult to change a habit. As you probably know, forming a new habit takes dedication and time. Refraining from alcohol when it has been a staple in your life can take patience.
Red Willow understands the delicate balance of forming a new habit and resorting back to what is familiar. When it comes to alcohol, its addictive nature makes it more difficult to remove yourself from this habit. Our team is here to help support you in continuing dry habits into 2024 with resources, counseling, and intervention.
Return To Why You Started In The First Place
If you tried out the challenge of Dry January, you probably had a reason behind it. Continuing these habits will be easier if you have a major driving force behind the change. Returning to your why can help you reevaluate what you need to do better in the coming months.
Celebrate All Milestones
Not everyone will be perfect when it comes to sticking to a goal or forming a habit. There will be days where you take a few steps back and other days where you feel very accomplished. The best way to continue habits and avoid feeling discouraged is to celebrate all milestones. Any achievement is worth celebrating when it comes to limiting your risk of addiction. Month milestones, avoiding a peer pressure situation, or limiting your drinking around the holidays are all steps that should be celebrated.
Celebrating milestones can be done in a few different ways. Writing it down or posting it on social media can be a more concrete way to hold you accountable too.
Other ways to celebrate milestones include:
- Treat yourself to a new item or one of your hobbies
- Make a post on social media
- Tell a friend or family member so they can share in the excitement
- Look back through a journal to see how far you have come
- Book a trip
- Practice self-care with some time off work or a spa day
Create A Group Of Support
A supportive environment is always best for growth, including continuing your dry habits into the new year. A group of supportive friends or a group of individuals who are also trying to limit alcohol consumption will make it easier to stick to your goals. Sharing your concerns, milestones, and goals with a group creates more connection. Group efforts make hard times less challenging and lower the risk of quitting on your goals.
Find A New Favorite Drink
When your go-to drink is alcoholic, participating in a more dry approach can be difficult. Finding a new fun drink that doesn’t contain alcohol can be motivating when the urge to drink arises. There are many mocktail recipes online that can mimic the taste of your favorite drinks, without the consequences.
Many beer, seltzer, and liquor brands are coming out with 0% alcohol versions of their best sellers. Heineken and White Claw are two popular brands that are jumping on the dry trend to help their customers stick to their dry habits.
Replace Bad Habits
If alcohol is a coping mechanism for you, finding more healthy alternatives will help you stick to the dry habits you set in January. Try avoiding triggers that may lead to alcohol consumption that you may regret later. Find habits or strategies to specifically combat boredom, stress, or loneliness. Better habits will help make resisting temptations easier and give you a way to navigate them.
Take Note Of How You Feel Without Alcohol
Some people notice significant changes when they stop drinking including their physical appearance, their relationships, and mental health. Taking written or mental notes about these changes can help motivate you to keep practicing these healthier habits.
Writing down these feelings will be helpful in times when temptation is at its highest. Looking back at what you wrote down when you got better sleep, made it to work on time, or resisted a drink when out with friends can prove you are stronger than you might think.
Help From Red Willow Counseling And Recovery
Dealing with alcohol temptations can be daunting to handle alone. Our counselors and therapists can help you form new coping strategies to help on your dry journey. Red Willow offers individual therapy, group sessions, intervention methods, and outside resources for all clients. Book an appointment or consultation today!
