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

Hi all, can I join? Day 12 for me so early days but I am committed to no alcohol. I used to love a red wine and didnt even drink that much in recent years but it was becoming a crutch, and then I got some blood tests done for something else and discovered high liver scores (not too high, but enough to freak me out) so that's me done with wine and all other type of alcohol!

Of course you can join in, @ElizabethBennetsFineEyes, and welcome.

That all sounds exciting, @WendyWagon, and absolutely not a confession! I really hope it all goes really well for you (and let the hangers on go to Hell in a handcart!)

I've been to my group thing, and the others have repaired to the pub. I didn't go. My last drink was after the November meeting when I did go, then one of the group came back to my house and we shared a bottle of wine. My scan was the following week. I could have just had AF drinks, but I decided against it, just in case someone got me one in before I had a chance to say no. Maybe next time.

Sorry I haven’t been around that much, work always very busy in Jan, but wanted to send love and strength to you all. And although it’s been four years since I had my last drink, that comment about a wine in hand to do boring jobs! I hadn’t thought much about that previously but that was SO me.
Exciting news @WendyWagon💪 and well done to all those on early days. We can do this, it is hard, but we really can 💪

Night all, a okay day this end. IWNDWYT 💜

14 days AF for me, that’s A FORTNIGHT!! I can hardly believe it 😊

Evening all.
Well done on 50 days @Carpetburn. Bunnies and blue skies await!
Lovely to see you back @elusivehope. I like the idea of putting on some music or trying to find some other way to get you fired up, although is that ever possible when cleaning the bathrooms? My least favourite job as I either get my socks wet or end up with soggy cold bathroom cleaner feet. I'm sure I do it wrong.

Hope the feeling has passed now @TheMentalMentalLoad. Well done for not succumbing to the habit - saved yourself some money there as well. Win win.

Hello @ElizabethBennetsFineEyesyou're very welcome here. Hope you're starting to feel the benefits on day 12.

Another day done. Just keep swimming.

Hi everyone.

Joining for some accountability really, alongside support. I've had a drink every night for a long time. (Or rather, a few). I commited to dry Jan and so far made it 6 days before celebrating a new job with a drink, and another 6 days before celebrating something else.

I have got to get myself in order. I loved my sober days so I need to keep going past 6 days next time. I WILL do this. Day 1 tomorrow.

I strongly relate to having a drink in hand to get stuff done...! Also just to relax. Part of me is proud that in 12 days, I've had two drinking days, rather than 12. The other part hates myself for breaking AGAIN!

Joining in a bit of a desperate state but marvelled by your successes.

Welcome @WorkMess2025 I think to have had 10 sober days when you’ve been drinking daily is a success. Try not to be too hard on yourself especially whilst adjusting. We are all here to support you and each other for when times are tough.

I must admit @LavranderI was pleased to have spent £9 instead of the usual £20+ with the added wine and snacks. I’m having a few issues with my DD at the moment and it’s so easier to deal
with sober and without poor sleep due to wine.

IWNDWYT

Thank you @TheMentalMentalLoad.

I want to do this so badly. I have to do this. My next goal is beyond 6 bloody days! I seem to find celebrations are more difficult. Life has been devoid of those for a long while, so these past two have been big ones. At entirely the wrong time.

Thank you for your immediate support. I've watched this thread for a long time and so thrilled I finally posted. I'll aim to check in every day.

I have to ask, what is "IWNDWYT"?

(Funnily enough, the 'workmess' as per my username has resolved beyond what I could possibly hope. So just a throwaway username!)

Welcome @WorkMess2025 You can do this x
It's I Will Not Drink With You Today x

Hi @WorkMess2025and @ElizabethBennetsFineEyes
Checking in this morning. My day off - have a run planned with a friend and lots of admin. Got a bit of a cold and weather rubbish.
Not had any temptation to break so far this month but also so keen to be 3 months down the line.
Have a great day all!

Morning shipmates. Checking in for accountability today, no drinking for Becky today 💪. Sending support and courage to all, and welcome to all the new people. We are here for you ❤️

Morning all, thank you for the encouragement. Obviously I've woken up hating myself and feeling awful. I'm so ready to be free of this. So, day 1 check in here we go!

@ElizabethBennetsFineEyes I LOVE your user name! 😍 I relate to the 'red wine and not that much of it lately' but it was still having a devastating effect on me, and more with age... There was a bit of a discussion here lately on the amounts not being important - we all have different histories and physiologies - it's what it does to us that matters. I'm right behind you on Day 10 and the difference is stark... in a good way!

@WorkMess2025 Welcome to Day 1! I hope your name becomes no more than a wry memory to you and you find that staying sober makes everything run better!

Feeling soggy from the deep deep eight hours of sleep here... loving it, but remedial changes clearly ongoing, system rewiring... that little whirly rainbow turning in my brain as it buffers! I was chronically sleep-deprived... I will not drink with any of youse today! 😄

But the hell am I going on any damn diets at this stage... 😏🍫

Hi all - I didn’t realise there was a thread for this :) I’m on day 108 of sobriety after I made a fool of myself in September 25.

Right now I can absolutely say I feel miles better. Life is also easier and happier. Daily drinking would feel strange and silly to me now somehow… like eating birthday cake every day or something.

I managed my first Christmas and New Year without booze despite my whole family constantly prying about why (I am 30 and got married in 2024 - cue constant pregnancy questions and hints).

The only time I get sad about it at this point is during larger events when I see my best mates getting riotous on the cups and dancing away into the night. I tend to go home because drunk people are annoying and I get tired… so I feel like a fun sponge at times. But the next morning I feel amazing and go for long country walks while they’re on the couch eating McDonald’s with a hangover. So swings and roundabouts.

Good luck to everyone just beginning - your skin will look better, you’ll possibly drop weight and you’ll sleep better. Promise! I am also way more intelligent and productive.

Great post @HarvestMouseandGoldenCups I was TTC for a few years and had 3 miscarriages before IVF so sympathies for the pregnancy suspicions. It’s down right rude and entitled but sadly a total societal norm that people always
assume that’s the reason why.

Day 18 today. Im Feeling very proud of this.

One week today. Very happy to have got this far. Having some very vivid and disturbing dreams which leave me feeling unsettled but otherwise I’m feeling pretty good - no pink clouds or bunnies yet though!
Today is the last day before I go back to work, having been off since the end of November. It’ll be good to start using my brain again - I couldn’t think of th word for skirting boards yesterday and am slightly worried dementia is setting in!

Thinking about drinking continuously ffs today. But I will not do it. No poison, just going to get through hour by hour feeling all my 'feelings' then early night and tomorrow will be better and easier ❤️‍🩹

I'm doing Zumba tomorrow morning and it is so joyful there is no way I am missing it for a hangover! IWNDWYT!

Well done @Becky3825. I think you’re amazing. Just keep going and keep being accountable - it will stick! I’m doing an early morning Hyrox session tomorrow morning, I’m not normally great at exercising early but I’m determined to go! 💪

Remember to give yourself alternative treats! You’re going without alcohol not without joy.

Treats I’ve enjoyed as a replacement: Glacé Marrons, a blackberry shrub (it’s like a grown up squash with fruit and vinegar you mix with soda water), a new dress, nail polish, a candle making kit, an embroidery kit, a new book, a new notebook.

Also every month I am sober DH takes me to a restaurant of my choice. I might as well with the money I’ve saved!

Welcome newbies :)

I was always too scared to join any threads about giving up alcohol as I just wasn’t sure I would be able to and underneath it I didn’t really want to. I felt that alcohol was my saving grace on how to fit in during my teens, what made me fun in my twenties, helped survive motherhood in my thirties and then during my forties it just totally took over, mixture of being perimenopausal I think and my undiagnosed (now diagnosed!) ADHD.

It’s so brave to reach out and to check in each day. I kind of feel like I cheated by just joining once I knew I was 100% done but I often wonder if I was really 100% done or just that I have survived my 120+ days because I did check in here on my day 12 or something like that. It’s funny now when I see the new joiners and you mention crazy dreams or waking up refreshed and it reminds me every time of feeling those things and how far I’ve come. It is SO worth it, I am just so thankful that this addiction, that has lasted decades I seem to finally have broken free, gosh I hope I can keep this up. Thank you all for all the support and all the reminders of the journey x

Btw New 0% fizz bought in Sainsbury’s this morning - by Sir Elton John!

May I join too?

Day 3. Not looking too far into the future yet, just taking it one day at a time. I'm on antibiotics so that's currently keeping me on the straight and narrow. I've been feeling quite rubbish so not missing the wine but know the cravings will be there when I feel a bit better.