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.

OMG @WendyWagon I'm so sorry, what a shock! Sending you much love and hoping that tomorrow will go better than today.💐

@swanchaser it's good to hear from you. I've struggled with depression too, and what I've now come to label as emotional dysregulation.

I used to think that meditation was impossible because it was all about concentrating, but actually it's not really. It's more about watching your thoughts go by than about trying to stop your thoughts. Guided meditations usually ask you to focus on something like the breath (or affirmative statements), but it's totally normal for your mind to wander and that's OK. Anyway, I'm by no means an expert on meditation, but I've become a bit of a convert. I just use the headspace app, but I know there are a lot of great meditation tools out there.

Thinking of you @WendyWagon and sending wishes for a speedy recovery xxx
Day 16 for me (well in like 10mins!)
Feeling a little all over the place as on about Day 7 of recommencing HRT after cardiologist abruptly stopped it last year. Oh my days I feel like a hormonal teenager. I cried like a child last night. Why ? I have absolutely no idea but I feel better tons better.
Sending Kindness and strength to all goodnight.

Good morning lovely sober people. I do hope that you are ok after your hospital visit @wendywagon
For thoose that said you are on day 4, 10, 14 and 16 that's brilliant keep going. I had a few years away from it all a decade ish ago so know it can be done from experience. First couple of months I always think are the most precarious as you can be determined to do it through sheer willpower but secretly holding on for dear life. But also can be easier early on too as u start to change habbits to new ones and the fear of the last reason u stopped drinking this time is fresher.
It's not as uncomplicated as easy or hard, its both and everything in between.
I too relate to a complicated family. I've been NC with my mother for 4 years now. Always something that rears its ugly head although I wish I could be truly done with it. Life is never that easy.
Today is a slower day. I was exhausted from busy day yesterday, but busy kept me on the right side of the street. Will find something to do so I dont pick up.
Wishing everyone a healthy and happy day of staying sober.

Good morning @Freedombeckonsme and everyone else. It's so good to check in and see Ll the mutual support!
@WendyWagon I do hope you are feeling better this morning x
Onwards and upwards - have good day all!

Morning all.
Hope your night was OK @WendyWagon

I just wanted to flag that we are about 20 posts away from needing a new, shiny autumn thread. Would anyone be prepared to host it? It’s not very onerous- I try to update the thread once a day and welcome newcomers- but I’m expecting to need surgery in a couple of weeks so if someone else could do it that would be fab.

No great rush - we should be fine until the weekend

Morning.
Ate a pack of chocolate biscuits yesterday - had a need that I just couldn't sate. At least they're gone now. Just can't have them in the house.

Not got much space left on this thread. Do we need to start another one for Autumn? I still feel like very much a newbie so I may not be the right person but I'm happy to step up and host. I'm very aware that whilst I am committed to sobriety I still have the tiny voice in my head that doesn't believe that this is for good. I'm silencing it by changing what I'm saying to people from 'I've stopped drinking' to 'I don't drink' but the niggle is still there what with an all inclusive holiday coming up and Christmas. Being the goodie two shoes I am, and rather selfishly, captaining I think will help squash the voice even further.

But, I genuinely won't be offended if someone also had plans to steer the ship. I shall continue to post daily to remind myself what I do this for.

@lavrander I second your thought process in captaining the ship for next thread. I agree it might help keep you accountable and keep you on board so to speak. Great idea

I think we cross-posted @Lavrander ! Thank you for volunteering. We can keep this thread for a bit longer - it can cause confusion if we swap onto a new one too early- so let’s just keep an eye on the post numbers

@Lavrander Aye aye, Captain! 🏴‍☠️😄

Ooh, just had thunder and lightning here! Day 11 positivity, but still tired from a distroobed sleep, I'm hoping to get my head down for another hour after DH has gallumphed off to work.

Thinking about our Wendy @WendyWagon this morning, hoping you had a good night, hen... 💐

Morning all.
@Lavrander thanks for offering to host. I'm going in for the gallbladder op shortly so I couldn't.

I ate a Marks curry and turned the lights out at 8pm.The DH then woke me up banging around, using the ensuite. Bloody awful sleep thereafter.
Our main bathroom is being refurbished by the DS. I have a loo in my hall. A sort of artistic installation piece!
Hes taking a week off next week to blitz the house before the photographer comes. He's very good at design and when he was a little boy I had to buy him a Early Learning dolls house.
He painted it to his liking!

I've more marks food tonight and I fully intended to stay in bed today.

I'm alive. Just about. Fell off the wagon Saturday. Managed sobriety sunday and monday. Then went on a date through sheer boredom and loneyness. Guess what, got trashed.

Back to official day one again ❤️‍🩹

Just seen this - that's awful, @WendyWagon! I hope you're feeling better now. I know beds are scarce, but I'm always shocked when people are sent home so soon after an emergency. Please take care of yourself and take up any offers of help?

Not much going on here. I had people round last night, which was fun. I get my feet done today (just routine podiatry) and I'm looking forward to walking out of the clinic. It's like walking on air. I'm out this evening to a social thing. TBH, I'd rather stay at home as it's been a busy week one way and another, but that's not really an option.

I hope it's better to be home than kept in @WendyWagon I hear gallbladder pain is excruciating so I'm glad to hear you're getting it sorted soon!

@Becky37 sorry to hear your news.
Life can be very lonely.

Keep going, bit really is one day at a time ❤️

We cross posted @Becky37. Sorry to hear you're struggling.

@WendyWagon

Thank you 🥰. So sorry for what your going through too, it sounds utterly horrific. I really feel for you, just hope your being able to get good rest and being looked after!

@ShyMaryEllen & @CuddlesKovinsky

Bless you guys, so good to come back on here and see your support. Even just a 'heart' can help one feel less alone in this world. I will not drink today. Bloody thinking about the damn stuff but I will push through or the weekend will be carnage. Luckily AA meeting locally at half 12 tomorrow so plan is just stay sober today and then go to that. Small dreams and baby steps. Got me to 2 weeks at least last streek.

@becky37 well done on posting your on day one again its never easy.
Strength and health to everyone today. But yes, one day at a time that's the way.
I had a change of plans today which always throws me but I've launched myself into some cleaning and am just gonna eat instead. Haha

@WendyWagon, how awful - I hope you’re more comfortable now. I had also planned to spend the day on the sofa: I felt really unwell yesterday, sick, upset stomach, shaky, really tired and very cold. In fact it was like a particularly nasty hangover, apart from the feeling cold; if it was a hangover you could add hot and sweaty into the mix. Feeling a bit better today but still a bit grim, hence wanting to lie on the sofa however I’m getting my window in the sitting room fixed and can’t quite bring myself to lie about when someone’s working. Had planned to clean the spare bedroom and main bathroom, but I can’t be arsed! So I’m hovering, trying not to appear like the lazy slattern I am.

I suspect I’m having a reaction to eating some rather old chicken. But trying to talk myself out of that as I can get another four meals out of it!

Sending strength @Becky37, you will get there.

Hello shipmates,

So sorry to hear of the grim times @WendyWagon, @FaithHopeCarnage and @Becky37 . It won't always be this cr~p. You're still fighting and that counts for a lot.

Here's Sid with a smile for everyone who needs one.

Keep going. It will be alright soon. x

hi @Lavrander - busy morning on here! Are you able to set up the new thread so we can link to it before we run out of space?

New thread https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/alcohol_support/5408722-support-thread-for-those-trying-to-lead-an-alcohol-free-life-autumn-25?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share

Our crew cheering us on.

Page filler really.

@FaithHopeCarnage Stop! Step away from the Rotty Chicken! I, too, have done that faaarr too many times, and have to remind myself that I am not a human dustbin!!!

Not worth it to save a couple of quid, at best, and end up with bad guts for days...

🤢🤮💩🍗

Canine sunshine... 😍🌞