Continuing support thread for those trying to live an alcohol free life - summer 2025

[Onewildandpreciouslife]

Hello and welcome. I’m glad you’ve found your way here. We are a bunch of people who are trying to give up and keep off alcohol. No judgement, just honest support and kindness.

The original thread was started by @drybird in 2020 and we have plenty of veterans and newer members who can offer advice and signposting. You are welcome here, whether you post several times a day, once or twice and then never again, or if you just come to read but have no intention of ever posting.

Whatever your stage on the AF journey, and whatever you’re going through, someone here will have gone through it too. Don’t be shy about posting, we love to celebrate your successes of whatever shape and size - and will support you when things get challenging. We get it, we've been there too.

All we ask is that you’re genuinely trying to abstain completely . If you’re looking to moderate your drinking rather than quitting it altogether then MN has another long-running and very active moderation thread that’s always near the top on the alcohol support board. Lots of fine support there if that is your aim. That doesn’t mean that none of us has ever slipped, or that you can’t post here if you do - all we ask is that you are genuinely trying to stop drinking alcohol completely.

It’s not easy to be sober, but it is so, so worth it. Your alcohol-free life can be better than you ever dreamed. Come on in.

Good morning all. Last night's vice was cake, not the most healthy choice but I know it's better than alcohol! So good to know another evening is over safely.

Morning all
I do catch up on thread every day and it’s really helpful reading everyone’s progress and successes thank you .
I have not had a drink all week, so day 5 today after recent lapse. I’ve done this before and I can do this again.
I’m again shocked at my overnight sleeping stats …. The change in my resting pulse was significant and it just continued to down slow all week. Hopefully picture attached but testimony to the damage alcohol was doing to my system when I stupidly tried to moderate.
Wishing everyone a soberful and kind day x

Morning all.
It’s amazing isn’t it @mumzof4x ? I once had a really bizarre conversation with my oncologist when I told him I’d stopped drinking - he told me how he’d noticed in the difference in his resting heart rate but he liked wine. You really would think they would know better, but it just goes to show how messed up thinking is in society.

Well done on getting to day 5 - you’ve done the hardest days. Now you need to be on the alert for your brain trying to self-sabotage because it’s a sunny Friday!

Ah @Swanchaser - you’ve given me an excuse to post one of my favourite pics! Not sure if this is going to work though - is there a trick with posting pics I should know?

Ah, it’s “under review”

Morning all.

I even developed a liking for pud after giving up wine. I'm still on my easter eggs though. It takes me ages.
The DS is eying up my 'wife of bath' cheese that I haven't started yet. I don't think I want the gallbladder pain all weekend.

A quiet day I think.

@mumzof4x Thanks for that. It's always helpful to be reminded of the benefits of not drinking ( seeing as we're subtly fooled into thinking how great life is supposed to be with it - parties, groups of friends laughing, exotic locations, glamorous dresses, a fun way to relax, a classic bubbly way to celebrate etc). My blood pressure was a bit higher than ideal so I'm hoping that will have got lower after 8 weeks of not drinking.

@Onewildandpreciouslife I like the picture! Actually, I'm not too bothered about cake or ice cream and have cravings for apples and salad, but neither of those ruin your life either. Cheese is my downfall - watch out, @WendyWagon !

@LillyPJ i gave up the cheese with the wine. However I have had a few nibbles.

I do have a packet of crinkle crisps each day. Ooh the excitement.

Oh lordy, I LOVE cheese. I'd choose it over chocolate these days. A few years ago I was quite unwell and in hospital for a long while. One of my friends used to bring me cheese (white Stilton with apricots) instead of grapes when she visited.

Cabin Boy/Powder Monkey Sid has been down to the dockyard, inspecting timbers. He thinks we might need a more sturdy plank for walking - the ship's cats have been using the old one as a diving board. The one on the right tasted better - but he chose the one on the left. Better purchase on his claws.

Strength and courage my friends. xx

I too love cheese. Sweet stuff can take or leave

Hi all, I'm finding it hard today, think the initial high of how great life has been sober is wearing off and the nice summer weather is making me think of my previous, very boozy summers.
Trying to focus on the many positives the last 62 days have brought me, my blood pressure and other important test results have all come down,among other things. Just have to power through and keep going.

@Teaforthetotal I struggled today too. I was out walking and the heat was oppressive. I passed a pub with a lovely shaded area outside and was so tempted to stop for a pint. Still, we both managed to resist, so onwards and upwards!

It IS hard @Teaforthetotal - everyone is selling us the idea of consequence- free drinking in the sunshine. But if you’re anything like me, the reality was very different.

Morning beautiful ladies sailing on the good ship Sobriety.
I will not drink today.

If it's important to you, don't let anyone tell you you're being silly or over sensitive. Your feelings are valid.

Sending less humidity and ice cream 🍦

Good morning shipmates.

Off out for Mr Tiggle's trim at last.

I bought a pot of marketplace. It's a wowser. My cherry bush will be going in there prior to the move.

Morning all. Travelling today so busy packing up.

Just popping in here to give some summer advice! I’ve been alcohol free for five years now. I also found the summer is the hardest. Can I suggest that you get some really nice alcohol free drinks. Thatcher zero cider, zero Prosecco, zero lager, Kombucha. All of these are great alternatives and you still feel like you’re having a treat. Stay strong!

Thanks @Onewildandpreciouslife , yes ,good to remind myself that drinking for me tends to have negative consequences that I'd rather avoid . Listened to a sober awkward podcast last night which was very reaffirming. Feeling chirpier and more certain of my sober self today. To anyone struggling today, you've got this.

Those aren't the drinks I'd choose, but I agree that it really helps to have a good supply of AF drinks you like ready to hand. I also make sure I've got plenty of ice in the freezer and some frozen slices of orange and lemon. Making a drink look a bit fancy helps me imagine that I'm treating myself.

I've been putting frozen lime in my sparkling water and using a nice glass. Especially good in this weather. I am finding it so hard to sleep but I guess that's the heat as much as the change to no alcohol. Hopefully this will improve. Have a good day, all

Morning all.going for early dog walk as going to be so hot
have a good one all
stay safe

Morning! Another 'successful' night's sleep. I used to wake up every night around 3am feeling sweaty, hot and with my heart pounding. Then I'd be awake for an hour or two, tossing and turning. But since I stopped drinking, apart from waking up for a wee, I sleep all night. It's amazing! (When I was drinking, it never occurred to me that a few glasses of wine was to blame for my poor sleep. I'd probably read it somewhere but chose to ignore it, just like I ignored all the other bad things alcohol might do to me.)

Morning marvellous shipmates.
I will not drink today.

I had a dreadful nightmare . The emotion and images are still with me. I feel like crying . I thought they'd stopped as I haven't had one for so long I can't remember the last one. I'm going to practice what I preach and spend today having lots of self care. If it's not to hot I will deadhead the garden, my rose called 'compassion' needs attention.

I've realised that whilst thinking of all the things I will do, alcohol didn't even enter my mind.

Sending serenity and kindness to all.

Morning all. I just found this post. I'm sure I posted on one previously, but not for ages. Somehow I have managed to hit 2000 days sober. 🥳

What helped me was lockdown & fake alcohol drinks during the cravings. I was a daily heavy drinker, since my teens for the best part of 30 years. You got this! 💪

Morning all.
Breakfast has been eaten.
The dog has had his trim, much happier.

The BFF and I had Kylie AF in the garden yesterday. I had to sit in the shade. All very pleasant.