The Continuing Support Thread for Anyone Trying to Lead an Alcohol-Free Life Spring 2026

[REP22]

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 @drybird2020 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 only 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. We don't encourage moderation-only here, as it can be triggering for some to read. If you’re looking to moderate your drinking rather than quitting it altogether then MN has another long-running and very active moderation/abstaining thread that’s always near the top on the alcohol support board. Lots of fine support there from those worthy people too. Keep trying. Sobriety may not be easy - but I guarantee you that it is worth it.
I started trying to give up drink in 2018, succeeded (mostly) in 2019 but had a few “wobbles”, one of which led me here in April 2023. I still struggle sometimes but the posters on this thread have been an absolute godsend of wisdom, support and encouragement, along with my dog - known here as Sid (not his real name), and they keep me going. I hope you find strength and comfort here too. This thread and its wonderful posters has been a lifesaver to many, and have certainly seen me through many good and not-so-good days.
These books were particularly helpful to me and I still go back to them from time to time: The Sober Diaries by Clare Pooley (Amazon - Sober Diaries) and The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray (Amazon - Unexpected Joy). Others have found This Naked Mind by Annie Grace (Amazon - This Naked Mind) helpful. There are Apps that help track your AF journey, including Reframe and the ones I use, I Am Sober and TryDry. Podcasts can also be helpful. I have found One for the Road by Sober Dave to be a good listen. But different things work for different people. Feel free to post and ask. There is solidarity, wisdom and support here. This is a safe space where your voice will be heard, understood and valued.
Warmer weather is coming. Keep an eye out for that first daffodil waving in the breeze, and make yourself at home. It's going to be alright. x

@Gribouille Real Housewives of New York was my absolute guilty pleasure. They get absolutely hammered. It always puts me off drinking as suspect I might have had one or two real housewives moments myself once upon a time-a lower budget version!
Congrats @elusivehope on day 7!
@WendyWagon James Martin is a nice looking chap but Josh Brolin is my celeb crush!

Slight withdrawal symptoms from The Traitors!

But just started watching season 3 of Tehran - I really enjoyed the first two.

I'm into my second year now, looking forward to celebrating 400 dry days in a month or so🤗

Evening all
Sorry not been on in ages but has been reading all your posts recently and would love to jump back on board if that okay please?
Doing OK I think. Had a lapse over Christmas while moving house and my DD is very unwell (ongoing).No excuse I know but jeez we had some unexpected stress along the way.
In 1st Jan I signed up to a local women’s sober group for a 28 day reset which Im loving an have already decided to join the 90 day challenge when this has finished.
Really feeing positive this time. Am choosing my “hard” so to speak.
Day 24 for me x

Hi all, I'm not sure if this thread is for me but I've had to give up alcohol for health reasons (GORD).
I love wine and cocktails unfortunately though I'm not finding the actual not drinking at home at all hard (and hats off to those who are doing it but struggling - really impressed with you doing it) but for me (because of the other limitations) I'm feeling really apprehensive about going out. My women's group are talking about an evening out at the pub which is our usual meeting place and I've got my birthday coming up too.

At home I'm limited to water (still only) and zero alcohol beer which I do quite like and doesn't seem to cause too much inflammation.
But most fruit juices are out and so are fizzy drinks so I can't substitute with mocktails or fruit juice/soft drinks. I'm also trying to go dairy free to see if that helps (opinions are mixed on that). Oh and caffeine. Deep joy. I'm over the headache week though.

I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas? It's mainly the acid so I'm not sure zero alcohol wine would work either, and I don't fancy zero alcohol spirits on their own.

Hello again @mumzof4x how lovely to hear from you. You have absolutely nothing to apologise for. I'm glad you are here. Day 24 again is a massive success. Doing so well despite extreme provocation. A poorly child and the suffering that entails would defeat the best of us.

Keep going. You are magnificent. Hope your DD mends well soon. You are doing the best that you can, and your best is brilliant. xx

@drspouse welcome to you, I am glad you have found us. I'm sure we can offer help and support in the rotten situation you are facing. It's going to be alright. x
I'm sorry that I am just falling off to sleep (Sid is snoring his snout off already), but mum kindness, wisdom and support awaits you hear from our lovely shipmates, if you care to stay awhile with us. Xx

Morning all.
Good to hear from you @taylorean

Welcome back @mumzof4x and well done for getting back on it. I think a local sober group sounds a great idea, and I’m glad you feel motivated to keep going.

Alcohol is such an ingrained response to stress (both individually and as a society) that it’s really, really hard to unlearn it.

I found out recently that my cancer (melanoma) had returned and spread, so I’ll be starting immunotherapy in about a week. I really wanted a drink when I found out! The phrase I kept telling myself was “there isn’t enough wine in the world to take away this pain”. The other factor is that when I last had immunotherapy they had to stop because it caused very bad liver inflammation- so I’m trying to keep myself as healthy as possible for as long as possible!

That sounds really tough @drspouse - it’s a lot of changes to get your head round. Pubs are getting much better at alcohol free options, but I agree that most of the mocktail alternatives are too sweet. Is there a reason you don’t want to drink AF beer when you’re out? Is tonic water also out because it’s fizzy? The experience is often all about the glass, so if you can get the pub to give you water in a nice gin glass with lots of ice in it it is somehow more enjoyable!

That's really tough @Onewildandpreciouslife . Good luck with the liver and the immunotherapy.

I am still finding out what I can and can't have but they don't recommend most fruits (especially citrus) and fizzy things, because they are acidic. I am going to try a few different zero alcohol beers (I am not typically a beer drinker but like a couple I've bought from the supermarket - so I'm pretty sure I won't like zero alcohol Guinness for example because I don't like Guinness normally). I've only been on this diet for 2 weeks and I'm still gradually eliminating things. It's supposed to take a month to see a real difference (though I've already seen a bit of a change) and I'm going to give it two months and then see about re-introducing some things but I think coffee will be ahead of alcohol in the queue.

Fun fact though: zero alcohol Guinness now out sells original Guinness.

Welcome @drspouse - GORD sounds horrible and I hope you feel better soon.

You might find it easier than you think to stop. And there are so many upsides!

Morning shipmates. I suspect high seas and sea sickness today with this ongoing miserable weather.

Day 30 today and I’ve just gone up a dose with the WLI I’m taking so I will be treading very carefully for the next couple of days to manage any side effects.

I had very vivid dreams again last night. This time they were quite fruity. Another win as far as I’m concerned

Morning all.

I'm getting later this week each day! When i was drinking i could never get back to sleep . Now i could snooze on a park bench.

Big tidy up today as I'm due at a shareholder meeting tomorrow (I'm bound fo be shouted down and lied to) and have to get ready for the national Estate agents on Tuesday . A very stressful week beckons.

Oh @Onewildandpreciouslife I'm so sorry! I felt very sad when I woke up this morning and read your news. You have been a wonderful support to me on these threads (and to so many others). Sometimes life just sucks, and is very unfair.

It's wonderful that you're sober though, and I hope the treatment goes as well as it possibly can. I also hope you have strong support in real life (family and friends?) to help you get through this.

@PhantomOfAllKnowledge it's so great to find a charity shop bargain like that!

Congratulations to @taylorean on your long sober stint, wow. And @mumzof4x congrats to you too for doing so well embarking on the new year sober. And congrats to @TheMentalMentalLoad on day 30, that's great! The first 30 days are the hardest as I know only too well.

Welcome @drspouse and sympathy about your GORD diagnosis. Alcohol-free beer is really nice IMO, better than AF wine. Lucky Saint is a good one (the pub nearest me has it in bottles) and another pub near me has AF Erdinger, which is also very nice. The 'posher' pubs tend to have better AF beers I find, but even something like Becks Blue is quite palatable. Unfortunately most of my favourite AF drinks are fizzy (eg tonic water and lemon). I wish you good luck with it all!

Sending you strong thoughts for your tough week ahead @WendyWagon . Go in there and give it to 'em, fight your corner!

I almost drank again last night (again, was about to go to the shop to get some dinner ingredients) but I managed to stay home and make do with what we already had. Not going out to the shop in the evening seems to be crucial for me right now, sigh.

Have a lot of marking to get through today; must try not to leave it till late in the day when my Sunday night anxiety will be in full throttle. Happy Sunday all!

Sending love and positivity to @Onewildandpreciouslife

We're all here for you.

Happy Sunday everyone. Welcome back @mumzof4x you were around when I was last here. I too fell by the wayside over Christmas but following a minor health scare am back and really feeling as if this time will be forever. Currently day 18.
@Onewildandpreciouslife I hope everything goes well - sending love and strength.
@drspouse Welcome! I was a wine drinker but now really enjoy an AF beer when I'm out. IMHO Lucky Saint is the best, especially if you can get it on tap - but there are loads out there and they're all pretty good.

I've been out this morning for a walk with the dog and am back home now - just about to do a few hours catching up with work. Not my usual Sunday, but DH is at work and if I do it now it'll reduce my work-related stress this week. Still have the fallout of email-gate to deal with but hopeful for a positive outcome there. I'm meeting a friend for coffee at 4 though so I'd better get on with it!

IWNDWYT 💜

@Onewildandpreciouslife

I'm so, so sorry about your news. You are very loved on this board - I'm willing everything your way.

Morning and big Sunday Ahoy! to all.

In the blissful lie-in portion of my sleep this morning (waking up at 6:40, remembering it's Sunday and going back to sleep) I was dreaming, and there was a part where some lads who were friends of my sister's were trying to persuade me to go out for a drink with them and I didn't want to go. I said 'I don't drink' and they went away and I had an incredible flood of relief!

Not reflective of real life as the last strange man to ask me out for a drink was my now-husband more than 20 years ago, but I'm taking it as a sign that my unconscious has accepted me as a non-drinker and is happy with that.

@Onewildandpreciouslife I'm sorry to hear your bad news. “there isn’t enough wine in the world to take away this pain” is an incredibly powerful phrase to have come up with at such a time, it really is amazing that you are staying so strong in circumstances where it would be so tempting to give in.

Good morning shipmates,

Oh, lovely @Onewildandpreciouslife - I am so, so sorry. That's desperately unfair. I hope the treatment goes OK and the side-effects aren't too grim. We will be with you all the way. You are always so kind, wise and supportive here. Our best love to you. x

Congratulations @taylorean and welcome back and yay to @mumzof4x
@drspouse welcome to you!
@Onewildandpreciouslife Im so sorry to hear your news. Sending you lots of sober love and strength. And you are an amazing source of support here so please let us pay it back where we can.
@TheMentalMentalLoad congratulations on day 30 and the fruity nature of your REM sleep. As a perimenopausal woman my libido has been dead for a while but it does seem better than when I was drinking!
I’ve been on a dog walk this morning through floodwater, fallen trees and mud! I felt like some sort of candidate in a marines boot camp at points but the dog had a great time!

@Onewildandpreciouslife sending love and support, I’m sorry to hear you news, well all be here to hold your hand thought it all x

I’m dealing with teens and drinking, lots of fun and joviality from them, but I worry about the slippery slope. I just have to be here to support them. Thankfully they are pretty good kids and we have an honest and open relationship and at least I’m sober to drive if anything does ever go wrong.

@Becky3825 x where are you lovely? X

Good luck all for the week ahead. I’m reading everything but it’s hard to tag everyone just know I’m sending everyone good wishes and strength for this sober life x

135 days here, I feel very secure saying I’m a non drinker now, I look and feel like a different person :)

Hello and big shout outs to you all- too many to individually name you all and not miss anyone- flipping wonderful to have so many brave and courageous people here.
But a special mention to @Onewildandpreciouslife - I would just like to echo what others have said about how loved you are on here and how we're all here for you to support you following your sh*t news, sorry. Big hugs xxx

@Onewildandpreciouslife sending hugs to you through my phone!

More love and support from me, @Onewildandpreciouslife. I hope you get some good news soon.

Not much to report here. I am still sleep-deprived, and wish I could just press a button and switch off. I am making one of those book nook things. They are quite therapeutic - you need to concentrate enough to take your mind off things, but not so much that you can't watch or listen to something at the same time.

I think I have a cold or fluey virus coming on. I've woken with a very sore throat for the past couple of days. At first I thought I had been mouth breathing, but I think it's more than that. I have a ticket for the theatre on Friday, so I hope it's passed by then.

I hope your week goes well, @WendyWagon, and chin up to all shipmates who have a difficult week ahead. We'll get there.

Sorry to hear you might be coming down with the lurgy @ShyMaryEllen - I really hope it's just a sniffle and will pass quickly.

Hope your meetings go OK this week @WendyWagon - knock them down with your fabulousness.

He's Sid, beside himself with delight at the prospect of a walk in the rain. Mind you, I suppose if I had to wash myself with my own tongue, I'd probably be equally enthusiastic.

Strength and courage. xx

@Onewildandpreciouslife that sucks. You poor thing. Here for you to chat / vent / lean on. Sending lots of love.
@FiloPasty I am also in the funny position of stopping drinking at the same time as teens discovering it. It doesn’t sit brilliantly in some ways but like you say, in others, like being able to drive at all times, it feels like it’s good timing.
@mumzof4xI’m so sorry to hear about your DD and I sympathise with the stress pushing you to drink. I have a DS with some difficult health issues and it’s very hard. Your local woman’s sober group sounds amazing! Made me wonder if I can find one near me!
I had a lovely couple of hours last night playing board games in the pub with some friends. I got dressed up and tried the pub’s non alcoholic red wine in a nice wine glass and felt great. I find as long as you’re expecting something different to real red wine it’s perfectly drinkable.

@Onewildandpreciouslife so sorry to hear your news x

@eekwhatnow and @filoPasty My youngest has also discovered alcohol and was a bit worse for wear last night. The older teen does not drink so it's new ground for us.