Alcoholics on mumsnet

I've come across this post as I'm someone new to looking for support to become dry (or drink a few days a month), so far I have not found a post to read, or post on, I'd love a post to help newbies on there road

I agree with that sentiment, Lookingforhope. To illustrate the sort of serendipity that can occur, many productive relationship threads occur in Chat or even Behaviour /Development, Weight Loss, Pregnancy, you name it...

I think it is a nice idea to have a new topic, but I would be upset it the threads I use moved. Welcome to new topics and threads, but please leave existing ones as they are. There is room for many different threads and topics here.

Yep, I think the topic name is perfect Rowan

I think that would be a great idea Rowan.

I don't think there's anything cliquey about the Dry thread, girls. As many of the current posters are new as they are old-timers; I've only been posting for a couple of months. The thread was deliberately started up with no cliquey 'in' words or terms to describe it, and thankfully (for me at least) has remained free of that. (No offence to the Babes thread - I'm just not much of a one for 'buses', 'babes' and the like...)

I would like a section too, my only fear is other posters coming on and not taking it in the spirit its meant to be in. I was tracked to a diet thread and poster attacked me on another thread telling me to go stuff my face with cake

I didn't know about the dry threads in relationships and if there was a specific section it would be more easier to see other people with the same issues or needing specific advice BUT its a double sworded (is that spelt right?) edge as it makes you vulnerable to 'trolls'.

The step parenting boards often get people wandering in and taking away the support people often need the same with the SN boards.

Biggles, I hope DRY does not come across as cliquey either. We are always delighted when newcomers join us. (Or come back, in my case. :) )

I hope the Dry threads don't come across as too 'cliquey' - there are always new people popping on and our backstories are not mentioned that often and generally only in a supportive 'hey, you can do it too' way I know what you mean about feeling a bit intimidated by long on-going threads though.

I don't think I would have gone to a specific category, I'm quite happy on the mad bus where it is. If it had been a formal category I'd have stayed away but that's just me.

I didn't even know those other two threads existed but I think its a great idea. Posters can always name change if they feel they would like the support but don't want to 'out themselves' on MN.

It's really interesting to read other people's views on this. :)

I hear what you are saying Infinity re. there being too many sections anyway etc etc, but I think some of the sections are muddling and therefore don't attract people in sufficient numbers.

Perhaps if there were an overarching topic of 'Self-Improvement' and underneath that, topics including those covering dieting and exercise, as well as wanting to stop/cut back on smoking or drinking, then there would be more traffic. People who think they might drink too much (let's face it there could well be thousands of MNers who fall into that category) have commonality with those suffering from eg. food addiction.

Wanting to stop drinking shouldn't be seen as being the reserve of the stereotypical park bench drunk.

Having said all that, I recognise the positives in what people are saying on this thread that it works well to have eg. the Dry thread nestled among the relationships threads.

I don't think it would work. I think a lot of people would feel that they are "safer" where they are now - in relationships, or chat. You need to be in a position to admit that you have a problem to enter a specific alcoholism section, and looking through the Dry threads, it looks like a lot of people are cutting down or stopping but can't yet admit that they have a problem, which is totally normal.

There are specialist forums, like the one previously mentioned, for people who need that type of strict environment. Part of the joy of MN is that you get a wide range of opinions and thoughts.

Finally, I think that there are strong benefits to the threads relating to this being in places that people access regularly. There's every chance that people have gone to relationships, into the dry thread, and realised that their own habits match or are worse than the people there, and that they may have a problem. People who don't yet realise that are unlikely to go looking around it's own section.

There's too many sections anyway. Most of them are unused, and people would get a much better response posting to AIBU/Chat/etc depending on the content.

Im on the dry thread, and am happy to use the word alcoholic, I am a recovering alcoholic who is now a grateful, happy, understanding, unjudgemental, good mum, friend and patner because of this. Glad there's this thread which looks to be supported by mumsnet. Alcoholism shouldnt be the taboo subject it is

I think a thread called something like "cutting back the booze" would be good, maybe under health. Covers the whole range from I drink a bit more than I would like, to I know I have a problem and I need help, to my DP/DM/friend has a problem what can I do to help.

I'm on the DRY thread too, and I think sydney basically sums up my thoughts on it, exactly.

I'm on the Dry thread too and I'm undecided about the idea of a stand alone alcohol topic. I can see it would be easier for new lurkers and posters to find, but I lurked for the first 6 months of my sobriety without feeling confident enough to post. I felt safely hidden away on the Dry thread in Relationships. I also wanted to actively avoid threads which advocated moderation as I didn't want to be tempted at all, and this might be harder if lots of threads about alcohol were in one place.

However I think there are lots more lurkers in this topic area than we realise and perhaps if a happy hangover free life could become more visible through an Alcohol Support topic that would be a great thing.

Also a 'Dry' poster. The original Dry threads came about from a poster who wanted a safe space to talk about abstaining totally from drinking, in which it kind of differs from the Brave Babes who also talk about moderation.

I'm not sure if we truly need a separate topic, although I am one of those people who actually doesn't give two hoots if everyone knows I have a drinking problem .

I would happily join such a topic though

Actually I think it's a brilliant idea. Sometimes a big thread where people know each other is a bit intimidating and you may just want to have a browse to see what other threads people have started.
That is not to say that brave babe's are intimidating, far from it, I found them extremely open and welcoming. I just find it hard to keep up with big threads and I end up giving up on it!
We have a stop smoking topic why not alcohol. Could be called Cutting Down on Alcohol? There is nothing to be ashamed of and having a topic may help more people to see that.

I'm on the fence with this one. I can see practically how it would be easier to find, like the stop smoking topic but I do like the perceived anonymity of the Dry thread being under relationships, as it does revolve around our relationship to alcohol and how that impacts those around us. If anyone posts worried about their alcohol intake I know I would point them to the Brave Babes or Dry thread as I've seen others do too. I wouldn't like the thread moved but I can see how a separate topic would help with individual issues, like as you said in your op a discussion of AA or other recovery groups.