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

[Lavrander]

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.

Just come back from the supermarket picking up veg for tomorrow's dinner. As we were at the till, I saw a couple leaving with their arms full of booze, and a bottle slipped down and smashed on the floor, at which point their toddler in his pushchair set up wailing.

For all I know they were stocking up for a family get-together rather than planning to drink it all themselves but nonetheless there was something very depressing about this spectacle that made me feel glad to be out of it. In the old days it would have been me leaving the supermarket with all that; I'd have wanted at least two bottles of wine for NYE and probably some beers as a 'back-up' and, of course, full-fat Coke, crisps and Nurofen in anticipation of the next day's hangover.

I was very happy to be leaving Sainsburys with two bottles of Lilt - sorry, 'Fanta Pineapple & Grapefruit' 😃to see in the New Year.

Evening all.

My word is powerful.

Over drink, toxic people and desperate situations.

@PhantomOfAllKnowledge - that sight would sadden me too. Like a heavily pregnant woman smoking. My heart aches for the child in the middle of it.

Powerful is a good word for you @WendyWagon - it suits you. I have recently added Sia's song "Unstoppable" to my car playlist. I always turn it up a bit when it comes on. 💪 x

Is there a Dry January thread? I’m not ready to commit to 100 days….

I think my word will have to be 'health' this year. It's day 55, I think, and I won't have another scan until May at the earliest. Meanwhile, I need to try to reverse the health implications of my stupid lapse. I feel ok, but very tired, and I'm not sleeping. Both of those things could be caused by liver problems, or by the time of year and general worry. The vague pains in my upper abdomen seem to be fading, which is a good sign, but my ankles are a bit swollen - nothing too bad, but that is another symptom of liver damage, particularly when there is abdominal fluid. Otherwise, nothing to report, but the tiredness is difficult.

I really need to stay off the Internet. The more I google the worse I feel, and every little thing feels like a death sentence.

Anyway, tonight will be quiet - just Husband and me in front of Jools Holland with pizza and unhealthy snacks. The healthy diet can start tomorrow 🥳

We can all do it. 2026 will be the Year Of The Shipmates - i can feel it in my bones. xx

You might find this one helpful: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/alcohol_support/5414227-on-a-mission-to-moderate-or-absolutely-abstain-judgement-free-zone-new-thread-autumn-2025. This thread for those of us trying to stay off the stuff altogether.

Good luck with Dry January; hope it works out for you. x

Happy New Year to you all- sending love and support.
I think my word will be Choice. As in, I have one, and I need to continue to make the right ones as far as abstaining from the dreaded poison.
I choose to!
One whole year at midnight tonight, I can't quite believe it. I chose this date because I wanted a reason to celebrate New Year every year with something positive. And a date I wasn't likely to forget!
I shall be safe and sober at home this evening watching Jools Holland too.
May 2026 be the most wonderful year for all of you 🫶🏻 xxx

Huge happy anniversary @IChooseTo congratulations :)

This reminds me of an occasion I still feel guilt about even though it was more than 30 years ago.

I'd just left home to rent a house with my boyfriend of the time, and the neighbours in the adjoining terrace invited us to a Saturday afternoon party. We were both working the Saturday but said we'd come along in the evening, and duly turned up after work with a couple of four packs of lager.

The party was in full swing and everyone was pissed, including a heavily pregnant woman sitting in a corner. As we went into the kitchen there was a girl of about ten literally pleading with her dad to stop drinking. I saw her face look hopeful when two sober people came in, and then fall when my boyfriend and I opened a beer each. I'd had a momentary thought of not drinking in solidarity with her but it seemed impossible for me to be in a party situation without alcohol in my hand.

In slight defence, neither of us got drunk - the rest of 'our' lager disappeared almost straight away and people started getting frayed tempers and being sick on the carpets, our neighbour got upset so we nipped home and came back with carpet cleaner etc. to help her clear up, which killed the party mood, and we went home without having more than that one can of beer each.

I've wished many times that I hadn't opened that can of beer if only to make things slightly better for that poor child, and also that I had taken the ugliness of that party as a salutary lesson because there have been probably a hundred times since then that it's been my own vomit I've been cleaning off the carpet.

The neighbours moved on the following week so I never saw any of the people again.

Lessons that I didn't learn, but I hope, better late than never.

Happy New Year shipmates. Here’s to 2026!
I suspect I’ll be asleep at the required hour so posting now!

Happy Hogmanay to you all! I am dropping by on my 6th Soberversary, which means this series of threads is 6 too 🎂, and it makes me so happy to see so many people getting the support that I was looking for and received and hopefully passed on in turn!

The AF life is second nature to me now but I will never, ever take it for granted. I know how fortunate I am to have this life and to have escaped the clutches of the Booze Beast. Even now I have the odd pang, and the festive season has its moments for me. Complacency is the real danger!

It's lovely to see some familiar names on here and I suspect some familiar characters with name changes- thank you for keeping it going.

And to all those I dont know, especially if you are just learning how to free yourself, or are struggling, or picking yourself up to start again - just keep going. Post here every day. Say how you feel. You can do it - if I can, you can too! Things will be ok - better than ok. Life will be wonderful, and sweet, and so much easier than it has been and is now.

Lots of love and sober joy for 2026

Drybird xxxxx

I have made a list of everyone's words (I think I have got them all, apologies if I have missed any) as I think that together they read as a really powerful mantra!

Prioritise
Free
Phoenix
Courage
Consistent
Strong
Powerful
Health
Choice

Thank you so much! X

Love this. What an immense group of words, and a wonderful mantra indeed X

Evening all

Belated Happy Birthday @ShyMaryEllen.

Having a quiet night in as well but it's been really lovely so far. About to watch World's Strongest Man with some homemade bread and butter pudding. Bliss.

Happy New Year xx

Evening everyone and HNY!
4 year sober anniversary for me tomorrow and will be watching the New Year’s Day sea swim in the morning (not brave enough to go in 🥶)
I’ve been for a lovely lunch with the family today and @LavranderI too watched Strongest man, complete with bread and butter pudding- it must be a thing 😊
Wishing you all good health and happiness for 2026. My word is SOAR if not too late- I turn 50 at the end of next year and I’m going to really try and embrace it instead of finding it terrifying or depressing- I’m sure it can’t be that bad- and I should be proud, right?!
Anyway- here’s to a good one for us all, speak next year ❤️❤️❤️

Happy anniversary Wonkymumbun and what a great word!

Prioritise
Free
Phoenix
Courage
Consistent
Strong
Powerful
Health
Choice
Soar

Happy New Year guys, my first sober in a very very long time. The Waitrose 0 fizz is great

Happy new year everyone! The first one i remember in a while!

Had a lovely evening with friends, several AF drinks and some games. Watched the countdown and fireworks and danced around to Ronan. They've left now and justing winding down to Graham Norton. Bed soon. This time last year I was still partying, soon to be passed out fully dressed with my contacts in. Looking forward to a much fresher start tomorrow!

Happy new year, lads! Health, wealth, happiness and peace to us all x

Happy new year! Pretty tired after staying up to see the bells in, but I'd rather be tired than hung over.

Congratulations on the anniversaries @IChooseTo and @Drybird2020, both of you are incredible.

It feels so nice to be waking up hangover free and drama free after a night out with friends celebrating the bells. Life without added chaos that alcohol brings for me is just so peaceful.

Going over to see my lovely sister and her husband today, they have kindly offered to cook NYD lunch for eight today. My brother-in-law is a fantastic cook, so it is always a treat to be going for food. I picked up a bottle of champagne yesterday to take with as they both love a drink (in moderation). I will be happy with a bottle of Aldi’s Zerosecco. Where they live is really difficult to get to on NYD unless you have a car or get a taxi, so I am more than happy to drive today. In years past I may have reluctantly said I would drive, or beg my DP to drive. If I was driving I would be clock watching from the moment we arrived, asking myself when it is acceptable to leave, in order to race home and crack open the wine.

Whatever you are up to I hope you have a wonderful day and a great 2026.

Good morning shipmates! I’ve been tidying this morning. Not my usual New Year’s Day activity! I was asleep before midnight but the fireworks stirred me. Nevertheless a peaceful start to 2026!
I have a restful day planned apart from a decent leg stretch later as back to work tomorrow. I hope everyone is waking up happy and healthy today.
@FiloPasty ive finished silent scream which I enjoyed so thank you! Will order the next one and @REP22 im just about to start the people on platform 5!

Good morning all.
Happy new year. May it bring you peace and calm.

I'm just about to make dippy eggs.
We have one of those stuffed turkey things for later. The dd loves stuffing.

I watched pretty woman ( love the shopping scenes) and the end of the full monty. We had lots of fireworks around us but luckily the dog is ok.
Go forth my friends.

Good morning all, feeling fresh & smug after my first sober NYE since I was a kid, literally, from around 8yo we were allowed snowballs/sherry on NYE, from 13 pretty much anything. It feels so different this time, if I were planning dry Jan in the past, NYE would be ‘get my blood alcohol level up as high as possible’ then I’d spend a day or 2 in bed. My family, friends & even colleagues are messaging me HNY & good luck for the next 31 days….they don’t know my plan just yet.