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

Morning all
Hope your weekend is going OK @eekwhatnow
Those cravings are sneaky little blighters aren’t they @WhatMaggieDid ? It’s good you could talk to your DH about them. And congratulations on day 60!
I spent the last couple of days at a conference where I knew absolutely no one - I find these social situations exhausting, but I’m glad I don’t try to drink my way through them anymore

Morning shipmates,

I'm still on board. Was exhausted yesterday and in bed asleep before 10pm. Feels so nice to have a decent restful sleep.
Lovely to read the milestones and achievements of attending events and weekends away without drinking. Well done to those who have had cravings and resisted. Wishing those feeling blue sunshine and positivity. Grey day here, need to muster motivation but so far I've just been sitting about eatting breaking drinking coffee and tea. Might have another coffee while I decide what to do first...

Happy sober Saturday.

Good morning shipmates,

Hope you are having a lovely weekend @eekwhatnow - you're doing so well.

Those cravings are so awful at times @WhatMaggieDid - real snake in the grass or whining toddler stuff, and they can hit you hard and keep punching. You are very strong to have resisted them. They do persist a bit sadly, but get weaker over time until, one day, they sidle off to strengthen the cause against their next victim. Hang in there. I know you can do it.

I know what you mean about conferences @Onewildandpreciouslife - having to be 'switched on' all the time. Grim. Always better when not drinking though (apart from copious coffee). I'm a follower of the "Ask A Manager" website - there's a tale of horror in the archives there, where a reader wrote in asking how to handle a situation where an important keynote speaker at a national conference they were running stumbled up to the podium utterly p~ssed, slurred her way through her presentation and dropping the F-word multiple times, before having to be escorted offstage. There but for the grace of coffee... 🥶

Sid has proved himself to have a heart of inner gallantry towards a little canine lady. The world of women of his own species is one of bafflement and dismay for young Sid. He is a big fan of Eurovision, if you know what I mean. 🌈 We happened upon a little lost lady poodle when we were out and about the other day. She was very frightened and confused, but Sid let her snuggle up to him and be reassured by him (even though he REALLY wasn't comfortable about it) until eventually a frantic owner was located. I am always proud of Sid, but especially so for that.

My AF plan for making life a little bit better this weekend is: clear the cluttered coffee table and empty two boxes. Little things that seem ridiculous, but small steps can outpace big strides. Last week I washed a door - it's made a positive difference. I don't believe too much in superpowers - but I DO believe in soberpowers. Mine is to keep picking myself up, keep trying, and persist in doing tiny little things to make my shabby world a bit better. Top up the bird-feeders, wipe down a skirting board, empty a bin. Not much of a soberpower to have, but I am proud of it. What's your soberpower? (and I'm sure you have more than one).

Strength and courage. You are mighty and you can do it. x

Afternoon all.
Sorry to be absent but illness has seen me bed bound. I also couldn't use my right hand

@WendyWagon i hope you’re feeling better today? You’ve had a tough run of late.

@Carpetburn not really. I had a infusion five weeks ago and it hasn't worked. I had put all my hopes on it doing so.
There is another option but it means waiting six months.

Hi everyone
Sounds really trying @WendyWagon(couldn't think of a better word).
I've gone right back to the beginning @eekwhatnowso still on season one. Dr Doug still around and Noah Whyle looking very fresh faced! I'm looking forward to his new one too.
Met a couple of friends in the gym today - one I hadn't seen in a long time and she commented on how good my skin looked. Hooray! The slathering of potions coupled with all the benefits of no alcohol clearly has worked.

I love the feeling after a declutter @REP22. The build up to it is often longer than the event but it does make all the difference . Small steps eventually climb the big mountain.

@WendyWagon really sorry to hear that. I do hope things improve for you. And that beautiful blue mulberry gets an outing when you’re feeling better.

So sorry @WendyWagon - sending you our love for better days to come. xx

Have really appreciated popping on to read this over the last day or so. Thank you so much. And as for the Sid photo, soooo adorable.

Weekend has been a mixed bag. It’s a very boozy crowd. Worst bits have been firstly that I can’t sneak away early as sharing a room with 4 others and it’s all very noisy and drunken and late. And secondly a couple of people who have giggled and apologised every time they’ve poured a glass of wine. I know they mean well but it’s made me feel embarrassed and left out.

But on the other hand I’ve survived it (or nearly there anyway), and feel like as social engagements go, they surely can’t get much trickier. And I’ve had loads of hilarious moments and belly laughs and cosy chats.

Hope you’re ok @WendyWagon , that sounds so hard. Sending you love.

@Onewildandpreciouslife conferences are utter hideousness. Well done for getting through it.

@Onewildandpreciouslife I too am at a conference and believe me, doctors can be the BIGGEST drinkers when away from
home!! I’ve not only survived, several people have asked how I’m looking so well (one used the phrase ‘glow up’!) when I’ve said I’ve taken a break from alcohol they’ve downloaded the Try Dry app!

@TwoNicePuppies Wow! That must feel amazing.

Morning all.

I'm a bit better today. I managed tea and a full sleep. The dog is still Nana dog. He came back from the groomer looking very odd without his fluffy tail. It's was matted and had to be clipped apparently.

Big cheese estate agent tomorrow however one of the lady agents has sent me details of a very pretty cottage. One room too small but perhaps we could have one of those cabins? The DH thinks no extra rooms needed now the DS has moved!
I intend to shuffle around a bit and get my boudoir tidy.

I use to love a conference. Such shenanigans.

Oh I believe it @TwoNicePuppies !! Doctors have a very weird relationship with alcohol- I remember my oncologist suggesting I celebrate getting my liver levels (raised due to immunotherapy) back to normal with a large glass of red 🙄

Glad you’re on the mend @WendyWagon. Another weekend where I ended up spending the majority of my Saturday working, just not enough hours in the week.

I made a big pot of beef ragu yesterday, so I am currently in the process of making three lasagnes for friends and family (and myself, of course!)

Wishing everyone a fab and sober Sunday.

Morning everyone.
Have enjoyed reading the updates.
@Adsy1988I know how you feel. I'm going to need to do some today. I'm trying not to feel raw about it - it does actually make my week a little calmer.
@TwoNicePuppiesfabulous and I bet they're right.To think of all the health streaks I went on - glucose goddess, plant based, raw, macrobiotic.. whilst still chugging the wine, madness 🤣
@eekwhatnowyou survived! Did it make you more determined once the booze was really flowing or any temptation just to press the fuck it button and join in?

Cottage sounds promising @WendyWagonalthough those little garden rooms look like a good idea until it's cold and wet and you don't want to trapse through the garden.

I'm just about to start making a carrot cake.

Oh man, @eekwhatnow - that sounds quite trying and not much of a fun weekend for you. I too have had trips where rooms have had to be shared with drunken comrades, crashing in utterly p~ssed and "trying to be quiet" - often "shhh!!" being the loudest utterance of all.

I'm glad people are noticing how fabulous you are looking @TwoNicePuppies - and that is so encouraging about your colleague downloading the TD app. The ripples of our choosing not to drink can be far-reaching - you might well have been the saving of this person.

I bet your house smells great after making all those lovely things @Adsy1988 - I can see where your DS gets his love of cooking from, hehe I love a carrot cake @Lavrander - Nigella has a recipe for a courgette cake, but that doesn't appeal so much.

New cottage sounds exciting @WendyWagon - keep us posted, I hope all goes well, and hope you are mending OK. Good old Nana dog. Don't know where we'd be without them.

Off to take M out for lunch. Hmm. But she orders much and rarely eats it all, so Sid will be reaping the rich rewards when we get back with the leavings. I might get an extra Yorkshire pudding.

Strength and courage brave friends. xx

Happy Women’s Day, everyone!

All going well here. A couple of minor “slip-ups” for a big birthday (mine) and an achievement, but I’m ok with that, though how disappointing even good quality (or expensive, at least) fizzy wine is. I didn’t crave it, just the expected thing you do for big celebrations and easier to cave in than to make a fuss.

Good luck to old and new on here, with big or smaller milestones. Thanks for photos of the very gentlemanly Sid 🐕

Happy Womens Day @postcard - nice to see you are still with us and doing OK.

I did get my extra Yorkshire pudding, but there were no meaty leftovers from M's plate for Sid. She scoffed the lot. She did give him a biscuit, but he was not impressed. Hehe, poor Sid. x

Evening shipmates
ive eaten a lot of biscuits today. Had a long walk and a generally very lazy day.
@eekwhatnow youve done amazingly well to manage that weekend. Sharing a room with a boozy gang sounds like a real challenge!

Morning all
I made an apple cake and a carrot cake yesterday. The house did smell lovely.

Enjoyed seeing the Clumber Spaniel win best in show. He seemed a very good boy. I like it win their owners seem to really care about them. A couple in the line up seemed to be more interested in the show than in the dog. Dog and I booed those ones.

Had a weird craving as well yesterday. It passed quickly but is interesting how 250 days on the Sunday drinking habit is still a habit according to my brain. I suppose I have a lot more practice at drinking than not.

Morning all.

@Lavrander I love apple cake with cinnamon.

The marks 0.5% cider is good. I can see that in a gammon roast.

Estate agent today on behalf of a buyer and I still have bits to do. The DH worked all day yesterday as I can't lift the skin off a milk pudding!

I love house buying but hate all the tidying. Too much of a hoarder me.
Another cottage popped up near my older brother. Cheaper location. I may view if it means the DH can retire.

Good morning shipmates,

The Clumber did look like a worthy winner @Lavrander - I did watch a little bit of Crufts, but have to limit Sid - he looks at it like the Home Shopping Channel. He prefers Police Interceptors anyway. 🙄

Strength and courage. xx

How many houses have you bought over the years @WendyWagon? I seem to recall you looking at houses when I started posting here in 2023 🤣

I am actually hoping to buy a new house this year, I love my little flat but it’s just far too cold in the winter, I was averaging about £250 a month in winter in heating the place! Might try and insulate it better but I’ll probably just look to buy a new build.

Off to a pub quiz tonight if I get finished for 7pm. Zero temptation as I will be driving.

@Adsy1988 you have me bang to rights Adsy. We bought this house in 2023. I wanted the elusive cottage but at the time it was thought too small plus they withdrew it from the market.
How many houses? 17! Only one I would buy again. I've been married a long time.
Current chez wendy too big and three storey. I can't get up and down. Modern so really good on energy rating.