Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Alcohol support

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Support thread for anyone trying to lead an Alcohol free life - Winter 25

985 replies

Lavrander · 20/11/2025 06:58

Hello and welcome!
This thread is for anyone who is trying to live an alcohol-free life. It was first set up by @drybird and has grown into a safe, supportive space to share thoughts, ask advice, swap experiences, or simply check in as we give up and keep off the booze.

There’s no judgment here – just encouragement. Whether you post every day, once in a while, or just read along quietly, you’re part of the group. Many of us have found this thread invaluable, whether brand new to abstaining or years into AF life.

Wherever you are on the journey, someone here will have been there too. Don’t be shy about posting – we love celebrating successes of all shapes and sizes, and we’ll support you through the tougher times as well.

The only thing we ask is that your aim is complete abstinence. If your goal is moderation or a break, there are a couple of really good threads on this board that will be a better fit. That doesn't mean that slips don't happen, and we'll support you in picking yourself back up and carrying on.

Living alcohol-free isn’t always easy in today’s world, but it is absolutely worth it. And you don’t have to do it alone – we’re here to help each other realise just how good AF life can be.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
29
IChooseTo · 25/12/2025 09:44

Merry Christmas to you my beautiful shipmates! I don't post much, as you know, but it's Christmas, so...
It's my first sober one as an adult too, and how lovely it was to wake up early this morning with no hangover. A nice quiet one for me, which is going to make it easier- just me and the partner, and he's not drinking with me, which has been so helpful. Not sure how I'd have managed if we had drink in the house. My dad was invited to join us today as he's all alone, but he's declined for the sole reason that he'd be the only one drinking. Very sad really, he absolutely can't do without it and has made his feelings of disdain towards me very, very clear. His choice, I respect that, and the new, less anxious me is letting it go. I'm going to enjoy my christmas day not drinking, and we're taking the dog to the seaside! I had a lovely AF mulled wine last night, and a lovely AF bucks fizz this morning, and I'm so grateful that I don't feel like I'm missing out. It will be a year for me on NYD and I'm looking forward to celebrating that (sober) too!
I wish you all the most wonderful Christmas, however you're doing it. Huge amounts of love and respect to each and every one of you. You are all fabulous. "See" you all at 6pm xxx

Carpetburn · 25/12/2025 10:33

Merry Christmas shipmates! Got out for an early walk -sunny but windy and cold. Currently sipping a ginger beer and about to open presents. I’ll be back for the toast and hope everyone has a grand day.

FiloPasty · 25/12/2025 10:51

Fresh faced at Christmas is a revelation!

Merry Christmas Sober Shipmates!

REP22 · 25/12/2025 11:02

Merry Christmas shipmates!

Had a lot of odd dreams last night, was glad to wake up. Made the most of the sober morn with an early walk with Sid and his cousin. Took some lovely pictures, but Sid looked so grumpy in them that I'm forced to share this one - he's looking at some distant mistletoe and sending big, slightly meaty, kisses to you all.

@ThistimeImdone I love Catherine Gray's first book; I found it immensely helpful. Her next one (Sunshine Warm Sober) is good too.

I could murder a peach Danish @WendyWagon - only a wholemeal loaf and some sprouts here at the moment though, hehe.

I love Jesus Christ Superstar @wonkymumbun - saw the West End revival with various bods including Steve Balsamo (best Gethsemane ever), Zubin Varla, Ramon Tikaram, etc., a few times. Scary priests though, hehe. I used to car-share with a colleague who was a renowned idiot - I was talking about the show and she pondered for a minute and then asked if Jesus Christ was "the one with the amazing Technicolor dreamcoat... 🙄

Bad luck on the Baileys @NotTonightDeidre - have you got a local school/charity looking for donated raffle prizes?

Sid and I, from our hearts, most sincerely wish you a very happy Christmas. And additional strength and courage. xx

Support thread for anyone trying to lead an Alcohol free life - Winter 25
ThistimeImdone · 25/12/2025 13:42

Happy Christmas all! I hope you all have a fabulous day, will be toasting at 6 with my AF fizz.
What a revelation to wake up fresh on Xmas day and go for a run! Loved it!
Have a great day all, we've got this! ❤️

Carpetburn · 25/12/2025 18:00

Raising a glass (of Diet Coke) to our AF Christmas Day shipmates! It’s been a good day. Settling down now for cheese and biscuits and am going to download some books into my kindle! Any recommendations? I enjoy most genres. Looking for a new gripping read I think!

postcard · 25/12/2025 18:00

Happy Christmas 🎄

REP22 · 25/12/2025 18:03

Happy Christmas! A glass of white grape Schloer raised to you all. All the very best to you for Christmas and the new year, with our love, R & Sid. xx

Support thread for anyone trying to lead an Alcohol free life - Winter 25
Onewildandpreciouslife · 25/12/2025 18:03

Happy Christmas sober warriors!

FiloPasty · 25/12/2025 18:06

@Carpetburn Angela Marsons series start with Silent Scream it’s a detective series but you just can’t put it down.

Wishing all shipmates a very merry Christmas, I have LOVED being sober it’s an absolute revelation and I appreciate you all so much, so glad I found you and I got past the first bloody 35 days everything got better after that x Mug of decaf coffee here but have loved drinking the sparkling 0% Chardonnay I think @Lavrander recommended all day :)

FiloPasty · 25/12/2025 18:06

Oh Sid!

REP22 · 25/12/2025 18:08

@Carpetburn - I recommend "The People on Platform 5" and "The Authenticity Project" by Clare Pooley. Very satisfying page-turners, for me anyway. Also her third one, think it's called "Growing Old Disgracefully" or something similar. x

elusivehope · 25/12/2025 18:11

Merry Christmas lovely ones! Raising a glass of Kylie Minogue's finest AF rose. Hope everyone has had some happy moments today.

Things were touch and go for awhile as DS1 was grumpy and tried to sleep through Christmas dinner, but finally allowed himself to be roused and joined the party with surprisingly good grace.

About to tuck into the chocolate yule log shortly. 🎄🍴✨

wonkymumbun · 25/12/2025 18:13

Raising a glass of Nosecco to you all. Sending LOVE XXX

Carpetburn · 25/12/2025 18:16

Thanks @FiloPasty and @REP22 i shall get ordering now! Exciting.

FaithHopeCarnage · 25/12/2025 18:44

Happy Christmas everyone! I’ve had a lovely, non-Christmassy day, full of peace and joy. Wishing you all the same x

Adsy1988 · 25/12/2025 18:47

Merry Christmas everyone. Raising a glass of Guinness 0%.

ThistimeImdone · 25/12/2025 19:25

Merry Christmas all! Raising my cuppa to you all! Been drinking AF bucks fizz but now just fancy a cup of tea! Hope you've all had lovely days xx

Whenindoubthugitout · 25/12/2025 20:40

Love to all.
I am having a very wonderful day.
completely sober

PhantomOfAllKnowledge · 25/12/2025 21:12

I have struggled a bit today. I've been alcohol free for about 18 months and don't usually miss it, but this evening I started really craving a glass of wine. No alcohol in the house, fortunately, so can't give into it, but I can't get it out of my head. I really don't want to feel like this, my life has been so much better since I packed in the drinking.

HorrorFan81 · 25/12/2025 22:18

Sorry i missed the toast, glad to see so many of us enjoying a sober Christmas 😃

Had a lovely day here. Bucks fizz with Kylie AF for presents. AF beer with lunch. Trip and coke zero this avo. Mother Root with dinner. Another beer for evening movie. Plus some tea in between. Ive had a much better day being sober and am honestly so bloody happy 😊

NotTonightDeidre · 25/12/2025 23:34

Merry Christmas shipmates! I managed to avoid the Bailey's temptation.

Thought of you all as I raised a glass of M&S Zerosecco.

Going to have a look for the AF amaretto.

I've actually not fallen asleep on the sofa this year. I always thought it was just being tired but now I realise it was from being drunk. 😥

ShyMaryEllen · 25/12/2025 23:49

I raised my glass to all shipmates and Sid at about 6.30 when we all started dinner and were waving glasses around anyway. I had AF wine, and Daughter and Husband had the real thing. Afterwards, when we flopped in front of the TV I carried on with my AF tipple and they moved on to lager (Daughter) and whiskey (Husband). The dog stuck to water, as he is a lifelong abstainer.

Love to you all, and here's to a healthy, peaceful and sober 2026 for us all. x

Teaforthetotal · 26/12/2025 00:19

Belated cheers everyone, my first properly sober Xmas amd 7 months sober today. A few times where I missed the real thing but glad I kept the faith and enjoyed my AF tipples :)

Crazeechick · 26/12/2025 05:30

Belated Happy Christmas to all - sounds like lots of lovely sober Christmas days! I took managed to stay AF, so feeling good this morning! X