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

Evening Shipmates!

Radio silence from me has been because we've had a grandpuppy for a couple of weeks whilst son and DIL have been on holiday. He doesn't know it yet, but they are coming for him this evening - I can't wait to see his face when they come through the door. He's been very good, considering he's only 18 months and this is his first time apart from them.

They leave for home tomorrow, and whilst it will be strangely sad not having the patter of little paws as the soundtrack to the day, it will be quite nice not to have pawprints in the shower and mud splashes on the walls🥳.

@ShyMaryEllen dogs bring a lot of love but also a lot of muck! My boy is currently sulking under the table because his bed has been washed and now doesn’t smell of dirty dog. So he won’t lie on it.
@REP22 Sid liking police interceptors made me laugh! We do watch crufts in this house but my dog is utterly obsessed with tennis. He’s a right little prince these days for a dog who was born in a barn! TV, freshly laundered bed, towel dried after rainy walks! Not a bad life at all!

Hi all,

I'm glad everyone seems to be doing okay. Sorry for the tough spots over the last few days - my brain and been doing similar too. Currently life is a bit tough as our littlest has hit meltdown phase and oh it's hard work but we will get there.

Bless sid helping the lost dog, such a sweet boy. Unfortunately my nervy dog is an utter asbo to other dogs - she won't hurt but will bark a storm.

The cottage sounds exciting @WendyWagon. I also remember house sales from the first time round on here. I hope you find the perfect place.

Hopefully some sunshine will lift us all and make it easier.

Hang on in guys, We've got this xx

Morning all.

Well I survived the local big cheese estate agent.
She's agreed with the national agent re pricing and marketing.
I'm tempted to have joint agents.

The house looks good so we're having a massive sort of linen from tomorrow. Way too many sheets.

Good luck Wendy, much better time of year to sell and always good to have a declutter. Sort your life out back on tonight, it’s a bit of a guilty pleasure as whilst I have a huge way to go decluttering my house, it always makes me feel better seeing other people’s are worse.
Likewise kids having a meltdown in public, always makes me feel like something is right with the world! That everyone has those moments.

Im eking scarily close to the 6 month mark, when I joined the thread and had a word with myself I decided on a year, in the early weeks/months I kind of wished I’d given myself an easily target, and more things to tick off on Try Dry, but now I’m really glad, it means I’ll have weathered everything, birthdays, holidays, nights out, the lot. Still having my wobbles but staying strong.

I’ve got a huge way to go with my health and fitness and ideally another 1.5/2 stone to lose.

I just feel a bit sad for old me.

Anyway enough blustering about myself, how is everyone, daffodils are in bloom the days are getting longer, and we can do this shipmates, one day at a time.

When the 1 year goal ticks along (willpower willing) I’m going to click that along to 2.

@FiloPasty I love sort your life out.

I would have registered to take part but I've already recycled so much I don't think I have 50% to part with. 30% I'm sure 😊

The DS is with us today so we're catching up on house progress.

The weight does come off . My first two stone took a year but I'm now into my 6+ (I was eight stone overweight ) so four years but no baggy skin as such and I wouldn't want to put it back on. My health isn't great but it would have been so much worse with the booze. Not sure how easy the operations would have been either.

Ooh @FiloPasty and @WendyWagon I love a clear out once it's done, it's the doing it I struggle to get motivated to do. I did put some things in a bag yesterday to get rid of so a very small start but Rome wasn't built in a day!
Felt a bit under it yesterday, a few things to deal with in the endless household. Sun shining today which always helps my mood and I've got a nice clear head. I am doing my best to not spend time worrying about worst case scenarios as it's such a waste of emotions, energy and time and it won't change the outcome. Need to get some of jobs done so I can enjoy the evening and get to bed at a decent time.

Hello shipmates,

Quick pop up from the bilge-decks today, work very very busy but all good here.

Lovely to hear from you @ThistimeImdone - hang in there. And @ShyMaryEllen - I'm glad you are OK. I have been thinking about you - I had some Boots points burning a hole in my Advantage Card last week, so bought myself a tub of Thiamine tablets. I have been taking one every night and remembering your wise words. Glad you are OK - hope you won't miss grandpup too much. I bet he's had a fantastic time with you.

Strength and courage brave shipmates. We are going to make it. x

Evening shipmates
not a bad day here all things considered and no rain either.
It’s a busy work week but I’m feeling it’s manageable. I shall be watching the Louis Theroux doc on Netflix tomorrow night about the manosphere. I’m ready to be horrified!
Steady sailing to all!

Morning all! Just about to go for a run - no way drinking me could have managed that!
I've been having dreams where I decide I can moderate and give in, thanks brain so helpful 🤣🤦

Good luck sorting the linens @WendyWagon ! I would love a good declutter - my husband is a bit of a hoarder! I fantasise about skips 🤣🤣🤣 am actually currently getting rid of old toys on vinted, very much enjoying sending some clutter out!

Amazing, 6 months @FiloPasty! Such a success. I'm nearly at 100 days now. Getting there.

Hope everyone has a good day, let's hope for some of that lovely sunshine 🤞🌞 xx

Morning all,

@FiloPasty 6 months that is brilliant! @ThistimeImdone Well done on your early morning run and nearly 100 days.

60 days today and looks like the sun will make an appearance which will be a free treat to mark the occasion.

Morning all.

Exciting developments.
A cottage we viewed in 2021 has come back to the market (divorce so I'll have to get rid of those vibes).
My favorite village and it has a blue kitchen, again my favorite.
The price is right and I can have an accessible bedroom. I'm cock- a -hoop.
The DD doesn't like the village, too Chi chi and no parcel drop off. The DH is saying little as he'll get caught in the cross fire.

I sent a message to our big cheese EA saying bring forth the cheeky skinflint that's been stalking our house! I want this beauty and as my mother used to say happy wife, happy life.

No thoughts of boozing although I did buy wine for a visiting friend which I quickly took out of the fridge and locked in the larder.

I wanted to ask our brave shipmates opinions.

I started drinking at 14 but didn't have a problem until 2004 when my mum died. I went all out on the booze and buns as she had controlled everything.
I had been sharing a school run with a friend and I took to accepting a drink when I dropped the boys off. We lived in the same village so the driving was done.
I didn't know at the time that the couple were daily drinkers but I quickly became one. My hospitality or theirs.
When we left the village I fell in with another boozy crowd of bored mums and it seemed the norm. In the crash people seemed to drink more not less. I can count three women who are heavy drinkers. I was one of them.
Last week the aforementioned friend asked if I thought she caused my alcoholism. I was taken back tbh (I think she is having therapy).

I don't think the 'join me in my drinking' helped but she didn't force it down me. If another type of addict offered me goodies I'd definitely say no.
I just said lots going on back then. She can be very direct as ND but would you have said more?

Hi Wendy. Maybe she’s doing the AA and she has to apologise to people she might have hurt etc. I don’t think anyone can cause it, unless vulnerable at the time, coercive and so on. But it was different times. I think your answer is just right.

Good morning shipmates,

Very windy last night - Sid was VERY reluctant to get out of his bed this morning.

Six months is fantastic @FiloPasty - really brilliant. In awe of how well everyone is doing.

Very exciting about the cottage @WendyWagon - and it can't be TOO many miles from the nearest delivery point for DD. Will keep everything crossed. I agree with @postcard - maybe your friend is in a programme or trying to account/atone for past things. I don't think you need to say any more than you have already suggested. I think addiction can lie dormant in most of us, and it's generally not one thing or one person that draws it out - it's a combination of many factors, including genetics over which we have no control. You only need to give an explanation that you are comfortable giving.

Strength and courage. It will be alright. x Here's Sid, this morning when I came into his cabin... Idle little git. 😉

Thanks all, very exciting news about the cottage @WendyWagon

I have similar guilt to your friend in that I got so many of my friends into taking drugs in the 90’s, I feel a bit ashamed now I think of it, especially now I have teenagers. I wasn’t a drug dealer but I loved partying and the raves and dancing and the drugs! Thank goodness I didn’t end up on a darker path but I’ve not taken anything since my early 20’s.
She probably just wants some peace, forgiveness and working through her own shit.
Pretty glad I didn’t have a friend like that though as I really didn’t need any encouragement.

I think your answer was good @WendyWagon. We all make our own choices right?! A blue kitchen sounds fab. Fingers crossed for you.

❤️❤️ Sid!

Yeah, I wouldn’t say anyone but me is to blame for becoming an alcoholic. I grew up around alcohol, my parents loved a party and I can remember being given Babysham probably before the age of 10, no doubt after me pestering them both to try it.

I’ve had a major issue with alcohol pretty much my full adult life. Was always the last one on the dance floor, the last to leave parties, inviting people back to my flat to carry on with the merriment. I probably have some apologies to make if I continued with the 12 steps (I tried, Christ knows I tried).

I’m struggling today, the thought of having a drink hasn’t entered my head thankfully. But I’m just so…. bored. I want the nice weather to arrive now, so I can go out after work for a walk, go to the pub and drink in the beer garden. Being my first full summer sober (20th July 2025 is my Day 01) I know it will be tough, everyone getting merry and enjoying it, and the World Cup, I’m Scottish so it’s the first time we have qualified in 28 years(!), that will be tough, but I think at this point I am craving sunshine more than I have ever craved a drink.

Think I’m just feeling sorry for myself. I think I need a holiday. I fancy Croatia, the beaches look stunning. Has anyone been? One thing I am not short of is holidays. My employer is so amazing, on my ten year anniversary last year of joining I was gifted an extra 30 days AL to take over the next 24 months. So zero excuse for booking a holiday. That might be my plan for the weekend.

I just thought I would drop in to offer some support. Tomorrow I will have been sober for 10 years. My life is unimaginably better for being sober and it honestly does get so much easier . Stick with it, one day, one hour even 5 mins at a time and it mounts up. I spent a lot of time on previous threads like this - and I found it so helpful . Just keep
going, you can do it and the rewards are enormous xx

10 years is an absolutely incredible achievement @fairmaidofutopia, what an inspirational post, thank you so much, and congratulations on the milestone.

I'm sorry you're bored @Adsy1988 , I think I used to use alcohol to deal with boredom too. I now probably spend a bit too much time on Instagram 🤣🤦 but I think probably actually when I was drinking what I was doing was actually really dull, I'd just numbed myself so I didn't notice. I spend a Lot more time sleeping now which is much needed.
A holiday and some sun sounds alike a great idea..I've never been but I know people who have and say Croatia is lovely. Our childhoods and drinking stories sound familiar - my family are all big drinkers and drink was a crutch in hard times too, so I learnt some interesting ideas about normal drinking and drinking through problems..but yes, I chose to fill my cup and now I chose not to!

Thank you @fairmaidofutopia that's wonderful to hear and well done! My brain has been doing some talk of moderation - I know it's not for me, I know I can't but it's been annoying lately so posts like this always help!

Hope everyone is having a good week, mine has been very stressful but at least the sun has been out.

Have a good day all xx

@fairmaidofutopia thanks so much for taking the time to update us. It really helps to hear such great success stories.

@Adsy1988 and @ThistimeImdone me too on the boozy families. Or for me I lived with one parent who drank nothing and seemed constantly miserable and idolised the parent who had me on weekends and drank loads and always seemed to be having a great time. Realising my eldest kids are at drinking age has been a big factor in me stopping even though of course they’ve seen me drinking through all their formative years unfortunately.

I definitely get patches of boredom although at the moment have filled my life with lots of fairly ridiculous new hobbies and am also suddenly obsessed with tv in a way that’s all new to me.

Morning all.

I lost it yesterday shipmates. The local agent totally misled me on the house valuation and something's afoot. They've sent the world and it's dog around to get me to sell through them then dropped their valuation again. I smell a builder's deal! (My late brother use to buy through them so I know what sharks they are).
The mansplaining was off the scale.

I'm refusing to do any house sorting today. I going to get my curtains up and that's it.

I'm finding the temptation to crawl into a pit of wine difficult.

Anyone else disappointed by The Walsh Sister series?

I have such rage for estate agents @WendyWagon they get so much money and most are useless, the money they get is mental!
Is it worth trying one of the purple bricks or another smaller more local agents?

Ah @FiloPasty they are the smaller agent but with many offices.
I usually use a big national but no one returned my call last year. It's been a total farce.
I've had all men to date on this and they seem to smell blood. I'm ill not stupid!

I've appointed the posh agent with a nearly all female team. We're be ready next week.

I'm ok today on the 'fuck it' button. It was so tempting to get rat arsed.