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

Solidarity @Carpetburn , I've had a bit of a cry tonight too. Was feeling low tonight and then I listened to the song Bruce Springsteen wrote for Minneapolis. I bloody love that man. Still going strong at 76. I have been so so distressed about what ICE is doing in the USA, it feels good to hear someone give voice to the anger and grief. I hope the tide is turning over there. People have had enough of the indiscriminate violence and thuggery.

And breathe.

Sending you warm thoughts for your hospital appointment on Friday!

@Teaforthetotal I read about Chrissy Teigen too. That's very brave of her.

Gonna listen to Bruce one more time before I go to sleep. 🔥🔥🔥

Good luck for Friday @Carpetburn. Waiting for results of tests etc is stressful, so I hope you get good news soon.

Morning all. Hope you didn’t get a good nights sleep @Carpetburn
I’ll be in hospital all day today as my DS has some treatment so going to get lots of admin done and then supposed to be seeing friends (some of whom don’t drink so won’t be boozy) for dinner. Hope I’m back in time as I’ve been looking forward to it. Have a kylie 0 fizz to take.
After seemingly endless knocks this month I’ve had a few things finally come together this week and feeling buoyant and so grateful for a change in luck. Although that’s come with a few cravings for a a drink ‘to celebrate’. Going to try and quash them with exercise.

Just off to the gym and then packing for my weekend away. My resolve is strong! See you all on the other side 💪

You can do this @WhatMaggieDid

Evening everyone.
Been a long day today. Went out for lunch with some friends. A lot of wine was consumed by others (not by me!) and I didn't feel I wanted it at all. Not least because it was so expensive. They all insisted that we didn't split equally so I was rather grateful for that.

Have a lovely weekend @WhatMaggieDid- remember to play it forward and say no thank you - you've got this.
Glad things are looking a bit better @Carpetburn. Letting go of the celebratory aspect was the hardest for me but it's really just your brain playing tricks with you. You can celebrate with AF options and feel much better.

Fantastic song recommendation @elusivehope. I do love a bit of Bruce. Would love to see him live.

Evening shipmates.

Back from the hospital. All well after i screamed the place down when a nurse tried to get a line in my twisted flared hand!
Sister put it in my lower arm.
I am feeling better tonight.

Congratulations to @HorrorFan81

Tomorrow i shall be wearing new lands end pyjamas and doing some calls. Thsts the plan.

Morning all.
Sounds like a good plan @WendyWagon

Hope your hospital visit is OK today @Carpetburn

Have a brilliant weekend @WhatMaggieDid

I’m off to sign the scary consent forms for my treatment today. I will eat cake afterwards

Good morning all.

I'm up lads without help and have even had breakfast. Bloody marvellous drugs yesterday.
We do what we can @Onewildandpreciouslife we have to keep scientists in business!

I've put a wash on, fed the dog and started my emails.
Steriods thou art lovelier than a summers day!

I bought some pull on jersey trousers from marks online. I thought they were going to be posh trackies. Theyre better than that, £19.50. Ideal wfh. Bargain.

I shall raise a large Gordon's AF gin to you all tonight.

Hello Shipmates,

Glad you're powering-up again @WendyWagon 🙂

Strength and courage as we sail weekend-wards. x

Happy safe and sober Friday everyone x
Fabulous to hear you're feeling so much better today @WendyWagon
Good luck at hospital today @Carpetburn and good luck to you too @Onewildandpreciouslife - enjoy your well deserved cake! X

I hope you got on OK yesterday @eekwhatnow and you got back in time to see your friends.
Enjoy your weekend @WhatMaggieDid we are here for you if you need us, and you are going to feel so good!

I am off out to a "Crafternoon" shortly. A few ladies, tea and cake, and crafting. A bit like knit and natter, it's wonderful! And tomorrow eve I'm off to see Sue Perkins at The Brighton Dome. I am really looking forward to not focusing on what/how much I can drink, and instead focusing on what she's got to say, and enjoying and remembering it. What a difference.

Thanks for all the lovely support! Thankfully all looking well for me after today’s appointment. I just thought it would be just my luck that I’m getting myself healthy and end up ill!
I am just about to have a massive cup of tea and dig into a bar of whole nut chocolate. And watch a crap film as the weather is awful again!

Hello all, lovely to catch up.

Glad you're doing okay @WendyWagon and well done on the meeting!

Good luck to all those with hospital appointments.

@ShyMaryEllen I hope you're feeling better, there some nasty viruses around ATM. And 14 years with Sid ❤️

Good luck @WhatMaggieDid , look forward to hearing how it went.

I absolutely love Bruce Springsteen - he is amazing live and love that he uses his voice and fame for good. Such a legend. It is scary what's going on over there.

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend, I'm just pottering then long run Sunday in preparation for the ever nearing half marathon eeek!! 8 weeks now 😬

Love to all
IWDWYTD ❤️

That sounds encouraging about your appointment @Carpetburn crap film and chocolate sounds like a cracking evening. I've just been for a very cold and VERY wet walk with Sid. He's not a happy chappie, but he did enjoy the towelling off!

Nice to see you @ThistimeImdone - I hope it stays nice for your run. Half-marathon - wow. I'm in awe of you. I won't tell Sid that you thought he is 14 - it's on 14 February 2023 that I first met him! I think he's about six years old. Plenty of good years left in him yet, I hope. Those decks won't swab themselves. 😉

@Becky3825 if you are reading this, we are still here for you, whenever you choose to return. No shame and no judgement here, sweetie. 💐

Here's Sid, channelling his inner Ted (off of Gone Fishing), with his little underbite. He joins me in sending love and solidarity to each and every one of you. xx

Sounds like a lovely weekend @IChooseTo
So glad it all went well @Carpetburn
My DS had a good hospital appointment- he doesn’t like the procedure which isn’t fun - but the doctors are pleased with where he’s at. Got home in the nick of time for dinner with friends and had the loveliest evening - was glad I wasn’t the drunk one at the end - felt very wholesome.

Supposed to be going to the pub tonight for a friend’s birthday. Will be very loud and very busy and I feel pretty tired after yesterday but think I’ll go for an hour to show my face. After all, I can drive!
I hope you all have a lovely Friday evening.

@REP22I think that’s one of the cutest Sid photos I’ve seen yet 🥰

Evening. Day 35 for me. Quick hello to everyone else here and hug. You are doing really well. Believe in yourself.

I went to the pub at lunchtime and they had lucky saint on tap, times are changing :)

Sat in my pj’s and they are hanging off me, I think I need to have a big cull of my wardrobe.

Big hugs all, sending better health and good wishes to all.

Handsome Sid I love his little underbite

Sid has rather spectacular ears!

I wholeheartedly recommend a shopping trip @FiloPasty

❤️❤️❤️beautiful sid. Ah yes, that makes more sense 🤣 misread there!
Have a lovely weekend all x

Morning all.

Sore tooth other than that, all is well. X

Morning everyone,

Hope you all have a restful weekend. 3 weeks today for me. I've been eating so much, just really over eating. I have even had 3 chocolate digestive biscuits already despite having a big breakfast. Need to get on with some jobs to keep me out of the cupboards and fridge!

Nothing exciting planned this weekend but could do with the rest and time to catch up on chores rather than just lounging about, drinking tea, eating biscuits and reading quit lit! I love seeing Sid he brightens my day.

IWNDWYT but might eat all the snacks x

Hmmmmm. Down the pub in pj’s. Lucky lucky saint!