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

@WhatMaggieDid i love this update! Sounds like you had a brilliant time. This is exactly what I’m planning for my next jaunt to London! Enjoying and being present in the moment.
Day 70 today. I still like ticking off each day on my Trydry app 😄.

I am SO happy for you @WhatMaggieDid !! Brilliant result

What a brilliant sounding weekend @WhatMaggieDidThat lovely feeling you have should stay with you for ages. I’m really pleased for you.

Well done @WhatMaggieDid 🎉 I’m delighted you had a brilliant time! Never tried Lucky Saint so will keep an eye out for it!

Yay @WhatMaggieDid! So glad you had a good time.

It's not self indulgent to look after yourself @endlesswashing .Sounds like a well needed day.

High fives to you @IChooseTo- what a result!

We are definitely not missing being alcohol free. Lots of fun still to be had 😀

Ahhh @WhatMaggieDid I absolutely loved reading that. I’ve got a weekend away next weekend. It’s given me hope!

Yay @WhatMaggieDid :) I went to a party last night and had a great time not drinking. Felt a bit sad seeing a couple of people a bit worse for wear as I realised that’s how a lot of people have always seen me.
So happily sober now x hang on in there early days people I can’t actually believe that I’ve finally done this x

Day 70 is brilliant @Carpetburn I realised a few times that I’ve forgotten to tick off a few days at a time so it shows how much it’s getting easier. I’m still v eager to finish my missions though. Must book an all inclusive holiday!

Morning all.
Congratulations on day 70 @Carpetburn and on your sober party @FiloPasty

My favourite bit of the update from @WhatMaggieDid is “I’ve learnt I can be funny and sociable and and have the time of my life and I don’t need alcohol to help me do that” (I can’t seem to make text go bold)

I used to think alcohol made me witty and entertaining (cringe). Turns out alcohol was actually dimming my sparkle.

Morning shipmates.

New phone is easier to type but blocking me on lots of apps,.steam rollered into a Pixel but not really my thing. I loved my BlackBerry back in the day. At least this one shows the time.

Marvellous to hear of all the succeses. It can be done. I'm on the last day of the horse pills and can remember when I used to read the pack looking to see if I could drink alcohol, madness.

Thanks @Onewildandpreciouslife you are totally right about dimming the sparkle.
I also had a great conversation with another mum from school who I only see rarely, she’s a yoga teacher and gave me some lovely compliments about how well I was looking, and I confessed about giving up drinking and she said that she rarely drinks, was just drinking Prosecco as it had been handed to her on arrival (I asked for a soft drink) so it was lovely to feel noticed, and have that positive reinforcement. My other favourite interaction so far was my doctor telling me that she was really proud of me for making the changes I had :)
I feel quite jubilant about it all, I’ve really been in such a hole with disordered drinking for nearly 15 years (and lots of binging before that) so I’m still quite incredulous that I’m here.
Big thank you to everyone who has held my hand since September it really means the world. This thread has genuinely been life changing.
I’ve started my adhd meds which are putting me in a very positive mindset too, so the clarity there is kind of mind blowing too.
Off to hit my to do list.

Any lurkers (I know you are out there!) make the change :)

Hi all. Just checking in as been absent for the past week or so, just been incredibly busy with work, and had a fantastic weekend in Italy and Switzerland with my son. He’s a keen football fan so we managed to get to a game in both Italy and Switzerland, so he was a happy chappy.

Was a bit of a pain trying to get anything AF in Milan or Lugano that wasn’t a soft drink, but other than that a great time away. Spent far too much, but as we Scots say, ye cannae take it wi ye.

Hope everyone is doing well, and welcome to all new ship mates.

Good afternoon shipmates from me and wee Sid.

So encouraging to hear of the good times and successes being celebrated. Gives hope to us all. I'm struggling a tiny little bit at the moment, but staying true for Sid.

Keep going. It is worth it. xx

Hang in there @REP22 x

Sending a hug of support @REP22. Be kind to yourself and just do the bare minimum if you can.

ODAAT.

Love and support to you @REP22 You're a power house of strength and kind words to us all. You've picked me up many a time and I know I'm not alone in wanting to do the same for you. I hope things feel much better for you very soon- it will be alright xx

Spring is coming @REP22 stay strong and give that lovely mutt a cuddle from us all.

@REP22 look into those beautiful big eyes & be strong for him 🐾 you’ve got this!!

Evening shipmates!
A busy start to the week and home from work later than I’d like but all settled now.
Lots of lovely updates and solidarity to those having wobbles. That’s why we are here-for the bunnies and the obstacles. It’s better as a team!
@REP22 sending you and Sid extra love. You’re such a support to us all. Hope you have a peaceful evening.

Chin up, @REP22. It’s hard, but you can do it. Sid believes in you, and so do we shipmates ⛵️

Hugs @REP22. We’re getting there.

@REP22 sending hugs and positive thoughts. Lots of cuddles with Sid will help.

Morning shipmates.

Sending strength to my old friend Rep.,

Just the kitchen man to deal with today. My grand friend came and went yesterday afternoon so I'm safe for a bit

This is so lovely to read. I wanted to punch the air for you.

Would you mind sharing a bit more about your ADHD journey? I strongly suspect I have ADHD and have an ear worm nagging me to seek a proper diagnosis and possibly medication. I take some pretty strong SNRIs though due to anxiety following a pretty massive breakdown a few years ago so would need a lot of support if I needed to come off those first. I’d probably pay privately for what ever I need.

Thanks @TheMentalMentalLoad its a long story really, but the short version - I always felt a bit of a square peg in a round hole, very bright but fell apart during a levels college as I just couldn’t concentrate enough to keep on top of coursework etc. I mainly realised it though when I was seeing certain things in my kids and through researching realised so much clicked for me. To get anything done I’ve always had to gamify everything, reward myself, use timers, it’s exhausting. I will say it really all went haywire when I started getting perimenopausal and apparently that’s very common. I genuinely think there will be a lot of breakthroughs in the next 20/30 years about women’s hormones and neurodiversity.
HRT really helped stabilise my mood, sleep and anxiety but it’s v early days with the adhd meds.
I was referred by my NHS GP but it did take 6 years, I have a med review in a month. There’s a lot more info out there now but it’s worth getting the ball rolling if you think it would be helpful.