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Alcohol support

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

994 replies

REP22 · 07/01/2026 11:35

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

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WendyWagon · 22/02/2026 09:01

Morning all.

I tried to watch the Walsh Sisters and fell asleep!

Off for a bit of food shopping later.

PhantomOfAllKnowledge · 22/02/2026 09:27

Morning Shipmates, I hope everyone is enjoying the weekend. There's a strange yellow thing in the sky this morning where I am 😆

Had a nice day yesterday - early start to travel to a vintage & artisan market and found some lovely costume jewellery, snapped up three rings at £5 each. I saw a coat I liked but it was a bit big, and I've got so many coats already that I managed to walk away. My husband spotted some French bar soaps we'd bought before and liked, so we stocked up on them - he likes them for shaving, I just like the look and scent.

Had a nice lunch in a cafe but prices a bit steep - nearly £30 for two coffees and a sandwich each (well presented with salad, crisps etc but still a sandwich). We're probably a bit spoiled by Wetherspoons lunch and unlimited coffee which is about half that price. My husband commented looking at the cafe menu that they were charging £8 for 200ml glass of wine, I observed happily that we are both out of touch with alcohol pricing now !

Planning a slower-paced day today, my husband's come down with a cold (so doubtless it will be on its way to me too). Grocery shopping and hopefully a visit to our favourite mall later on.

TheMentalMentalLoad · 22/02/2026 09:55

Morning shipmates. Back to day1 for me I’m a bit ashamed to admit. I went out with a friend I’ve know a very long time. I really enjoyed it but I do feel a bit on edge today which I know is the booze leaving my system. I have no intentions of putting it back into my life.

PhantomOfAllKnowledge · 22/02/2026 11:32

@TheMentalMentalLoad New slate, clean start! Most of us have been there. It can be tempting to think 'I enjoyed it, no harm done' so it's really good that you are keeping focused on the bigger picture and being wary of that slippery slope. How much better it feels if you have enjoyed an occasion without paying the next day's anxiety task.

Make today all about your wellbeing and looking after yourself rather than feeling bad, and plan some booze-free treats for yourself in the week ahead.

The health benefits you've already had from abstaining won't be wiped out by one lapse, the critical thing is not to make that bad day a bad week, then month, then before you know it you are back where you began.

TheMentalMentalLoad · 22/02/2026 11:43

Thank you @PhantomOfAllKnowledge- it would be quite easy to let the anxiety creep up and consume me. I’m glad today is bright and sunny. I’ve already walked the dog and pottered in the garden. I might feel a bit wobbly tomorrow too but know it will pass.

Ive looked how much I spent - nearly £100!!!! I could have bought loads of nice plants with that.

WendyWagon · 22/02/2026 11:59

Keep going @TheMentalMentalLoad

It's a blip.

endlesswashing · 22/02/2026 12:45

@TheMentalMentalLoad be kind to yourself, no point beating yourself up. Enjoy the sunshine, hydrate and rest today. I agree with @PhantomOfAllKnowledge plan treats for yourself this week.

Carpetburn · 22/02/2026 13:53

Afternoon shipmates!
I hit 90 days yesterday but was out and about so didn’t post! So celebrating day 91 today.
Thanks for all the lovely support about my pal. She is obviously very upset as she’s only had 3 months off chemo waiting for the all clear. But had lots of symptoms during that time so I think we knew all was not well. And I figure if she’s bold and brave enough to do it all again I need to have my big girl pants on about my own life. And for the best of me to show that’s me without alcohol. I’m steadier, more available and can cope with the ups and downs of life.
I was on quite a late train home last night from a lovely day out. There were quite a lot of boozers on the train and it’s fascinating how I couldn’t quite tell if they were happy or angry at times. Was just noise and falling about! One of the people I was out with yesterday was drinking quite a bit and messaged me this morning to say how rough they were. Reader as I had just got back from a very long dog walk I did feel quite pleased with myself.
Congratulations to @ThistimeImdone and @eekwhatnow on your milestones!
@TheMentalMentalLoad chalk it up to experience. A blip. Doesn’t take from what’s been achieved and I’m glad you’re here.
@PhantomOfAllKnowledge i too have seen this mystical yellow object in the sky. I went out to bask in its glory this morning.

TheMentalMentalLoad · 23/02/2026 08:17

Morning all.

Thanks for the words of support yesterday. Monday comes around too quickly for my liking.

WendyWagon · 23/02/2026 08:32

Morning all.

Off to get keys to the DS house today! 😄

REP22 · 23/02/2026 09:55

Good morning shipmates,

Glad you are still with us @TheMentalMentalLoad - the best of us all have blips at some point. It's how we pick ourselves up and keep trying that counts. 💐

Hope all goes well for the DS @WendyWagon x

Strength and courage. x

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Adsy1988 · 23/02/2026 10:26

Sorry to read about your blip @TheMentalMentalLoad, as has already been said, it’s how you come back from the blip that is most important, don’t let one silly mistake cancel out all the good you have managed.

I checked my app this morning for the first time in a while, I’m now at day 218, which I’m pretty chuffed with!

I hope you all have a great Monday. Comes around too quickly doesn’t it?!

Carpetburn · 23/02/2026 19:32

Hope the house key collection went well @WendyWagon
@Adsy1988 congratulations on 218 days. Phenomenal!
I have a very busy work week so it’s a case of digging in till Friday which feels a long way away but I shall tackle it mindfully.
Hope everyone has had a good Monday. Steady sailing shipmates!

WendyWagon · 24/02/2026 08:20

Good morning,
Mixed emotions re the DS move.
He came home for a year to save up and stayed two and a half!

He eats like a horse and has been difficult at times (needs to control) but for the last year he's been brilliant at trying to get me well again. When he was a little boy he wanted to be a doctor and I think he missed his vocation. He fully moves next Monday and then that's it I guess.

I'm trying to get sorted re our downsize but the market is terrible here. I'm cheering myself with thoughts of my new car. Easier to drive I hope.

REP22 · 24/02/2026 09:42

Good morning shipmates,

Top stuff @Adsy1988 - that's brilliant, really encouraging.

The new car sounds exciting @WendyWagon - something to look forward to. And your DS will always be your boy, who loves and cares for his mum, wherever he is. It will be alright.

I could do with some wisdom from the wise here. I am feeling sorely tempted. My M is seriously winding me up at the moment. My default strategy would be to go home and drink. Tom make myself feel better? To numb it all and the feelings from tormented childhood it conjures up? To punish her? I don't know. How do I deal with it without resorting to vodka?! It will be alight, I know. I just need to give myself a shake.

Strength and courage. xx

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WendyWagon · 24/02/2026 10:26

@REP22 I'm here blubbering my heart out!

Even when family are difficult we still love them even on a very basic level. The vodka would just give your mum something to berate you with. You're a good person and for all that has happened before you don't need to beat yourself up which booze does to us. It catches us at low points and lies. We're not stronger for being drunk we're just numbed.

If you can get yourself a treat. A cake or cheese , have it. I like a pie when I need to manage a 'fuck it' moment. I spent years dieting so a pie feels rebellious. My late mother would be horrified!
We're all here for you.

REP22 · 24/02/2026 10:32

Thank you so much @WendyWagon - I really needed to hear that. Bless you. I think a nice wedge of cheesecake might do it. And possibly also a lovely pie. Thank you. ❤️ xx

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Onewildandpreciouslife · 24/02/2026 10:33

Oh @REP22 I am so sorry you are going through this. I am very, very familiar with escaping the agonies of dealing with a difficult mother through drink - I spent many years in the “cockroach cafe” (with which I think you’re also familiar? For everyone else, it’s an excellent support thread on here for those dealing with elderly parents).

I think it’s impossible to give helpful advice because I know how painful it all is, but here’s my best shot ..

First, if you drink, you are only punishing yourself, no one else - don’t do it.

Second, boundaries are your friend. Be really clear about what you will and won’t do, and stick with them. You are both adults now, and (assuming your mother still has capacity) she can make her own choices (as can you), but choices have consequences.

But I know that the guilt is so hard, and (at least in my case) my sense of identity is so bound up in what she reflected back to me that boundaries are almost impossible.

Perhaps the best advice is to accept that this is painful, and there isn’t enough alcohol in the world that will make that pain go away.

After mum died, I finally sorted myself out with a therapist (although now we mainly talk about how my learned behaviour with mum plays itself out with my cancer diagnosis 🤣). Is that an option for you?

If not, there are some good self help books out there that might be helpful? I’m currently reading “Are you mad at me?” by Meg Josephson which is really good on the “fawn” response. “Let them” by Mel Robins has mixed feedback but might be worth checking out?

I’m sorry you’re going through this - you are such a wonderful support on here, so lean into us when you need to

REP22 · 24/02/2026 12:00

Thank you @Onewildandpreciouslife - I really appreciate your kind and wise reply. You are absolutely spot-on. I am a longtime lurker in the Cockroach Cafe; it's another incredibly helpful space (along with the Stately Homes threads!). I have had counselling some years ago, which was incredibly helpful, especially in understanding that none of what happened was my fault.

I don't know why I think self-sabotage is the way to go. You are right - it really doesn't help in the long run and it only hurts me.

Thank you for the book recommendations - the Meg Josephson one looks very good. I've still got some Christmas book tokens burning a hole in my pocket, so I think I'll get that. I've heard of the FOG situation but not fawning. That describes me quite well.

I hope the therapist is helping; I'm so sorry that you are living with cancer and hope that all is going well with your treatment.

Thank you so much for taking the time to offer your kindness and advice. xx

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eekwhatnow · 24/02/2026 19:36

Feel for you @REP22. I guess one thing you can focus on is the only thing you can do is make sure you aren’t having to cope with the pain and upset from drinking as well as from your family situation.

I dread my first trip home (I live quite far) sober. But I did find a trip to my in laws much easier than had I been drinking. It really surprised me as I’d worried about coping with it without drinking but it wasn’t as bad without the booze. I realise it’s a very different situation but perhaps there’s something in that that could help. Sending strength to you.

Carpetburn · 24/02/2026 19:53

@REP22 none of us are immune to wobbles in times of stress. We just have to recognise it as part of the ups and downs of sobriety. Sometimes it’s easy and sometimes it’s blooming hard.
But you know as do we that alcohol will not make this any better and like others say you then have to deal with all the feelings that brings up. Guilt, shame, anger-balls to that I say. Let’s stay on the path we are on. We worked hard to get here!
Oh and definitely recommend cheesecake!
You're such a great support here to all of us - let’s make sure we look out for each other shipmates.

Lavrander · 24/02/2026 21:41

Hang in there @REP22. I wish I had some useful advice to add but others have said it much better. What I can tell you is I have the pom poms out and doing my absolute best cheer leader routine for you, and I bought some spares for Sid. Seek out the fun and the love like our lovely four legged friends do. They've got it right x

elusivehope · 24/02/2026 22:12

Hello shipmates, I'm just saying hello after going through a particularly stormy period and then finding a bit of serenity again (finally).

The week before last was awful; my drinking got out of control and DH finally noticed. He was very upset (understandable I know) and we had some bad scenes. There was one bad evening a couple of days later where he came home quite drunk himself (he always drinks on a Friday night) and when he realised that I had gone to bed with a headache, he immediately lost his temper and accused me of having been drinking. It's not nice to be lectured about your drinking by a person who is himself intoxicated, so I didn't react well. I also had to miss teaching two classes that week due to being too hungover to teach. So yes, it was all a hellish mess.

I hope it was a turning point of sorts, however, because DH and I have now had a number of conversations about me trying to stop drinking (conversations held when both of us were sober). I'm glad that another layer of secrecy has been stripped away. He knew that I was having the odd drink, but he didn't realise how bad things were.

I'm now on day 6 and while I know that number is very low, it's the longest sober stretch I've had in a couple of months. I took DS out for pizza last night as DH was at a work dinner, and DS said to me, 'Mum, you're looking well tonight'. I couldn't help thinking that it was because I'd had a few days off the poison. Honestly I notice the difference so quickly, in terms of how much better I feel. The danger for me is that as soon as I start to feel better, I think I can get away with just having a couple of drinks again.

So yeah, that's me. I'm so tired of stopping and starting. Fuck. I've just got to carry on and hope this will be the time I stay stopped.

@REP22 your DM sounds unbearable. Others have given your great advice! I'm not in a position to advise on how to deal with difficult parents, because my solution was to move to a different continent: in other words, stage a kind of disappearing act. I have huge admiration for people who manage to stay in contact with parents who are emotionally abusive. Please do take care of yourself first! Your sobriety is more important than your mum's happiness (and she doesn't sound like a happy person anyway).

@WendyWagon congratulations on your DS moving out! That does sound bittersweet. At least one member of your family is now sorted on the housing front.

Strength and courage to all xx

Adsy1988 · 25/02/2026 07:02

Well done on getting to day 6 @elusivehope, a great achievement. As you say, you know yourself that you’re kidding no one but yourself if you think you can just revert back to drinking after a week off, if only we were able to.

Just think, if you feel this good after 6 days, what will it be like after 16, 60 etc…

I’m off to Amsterdam for a mini break this weekend, I feel with the way work is at the moment that I just need away. It’s an all consuming beast at the moment, but in a good way. I know I wouldn’t have coped with the stress of it had I still been drinking, and would be lying crippled with fear and anxiety right now before logging on, I’d put money on it.

Happy hump day as one of my colleagues calls a Wednesday!

Onewildandpreciouslife · 25/02/2026 07:03

Morning all.
Welcome back @elusivehope . It sounds like you’ve had a really tough few weeks, but your conversations with DH sound a good thing. And well done on your 6 days - I know how hard those early days are.