The Continuing Support Thread for Anyone Trying to Lead an Alcohol-Free Life Spring into Summer 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.
Lighter evenings, blossom and birdsong are with us once again. Pull up a chair, and make yourself at home. It's going to be alright. x

Thanks for the new thread @REP22 x

Thank you @REP22
I'm still here lurking in the background, reading every day and following with great interest. Day 440, but I still have the odd mental wobble. Not given in yet, but gosh it's hard sometimes isn't it.
Well done everyone on here- you all remain an inspiration to me and I love hearing what you're all up to, even if I don't have the confidence to join in.
Love and support to you all- and as REP wisely says, it will be alright x

Waving from the top deck.
Thanks dear Rep.x

Thanks @REP22 for the new thread!
@elusivehope and @Onewildandpreciouslife i too am an NYT puzzle lover. I do the midi, the mini, wordle, strands and connections every day!

Just checking in! I barely get a chance to catch up these days. And then when I do manage to read through some posts, I don’t have time to do one myself.

I just quickly wanted to say that I am glad you’re still aboard in more ways than one, @WendyWagon. I think your daily posts are a core part of this thread and just as important as who ever is at the helm, but for different reasons. I wouldn’t worry that you sound banal. As @carpetburn so eloquently summed it up, so much of your character shines through. When I was desperately reading every single post on this thread in my early days sober, I really loved your morning hello, count of Yorkshire teas and description of whatever was for lunch. You are a constant in what are a challenging times for the newly- or trying-to-stay sober. You are full of wisdom and experience which everyone benefits from.

I have been tempted to look at other MN groups for entertainment but I imagine a lot of them to be full of batshit crazy people with polarising opinions. This thread is a community rather than a debating chamber. I love that I can dip in and out of it. Perhaps just stick with what you like and avoid the dross?

oh and I read recently that @carrotseeds reached 500 days recently. I’m at 435 now. I thought you were a veteran 😂 as 3 months ahead must have seemed absolutely impossible/mammoth to me in the beginning! It is ever so valuable hearing from those further down the line and their experience, whatever stage you’re at.

oh and personal update from me. My DH is still a knob. I have recently resorted to suggesting he apologies/change his tone or I’ll be opening a bottle of wine. Seems to do the trick. For now. TTFN x

Thanks for the new thread @REP22, marking my place.

Thank you @REP22 for keeping this ship afloat!

I'm now about 14 months on the dry - every day is better for it, and you all too ❤

Morning shipmates.

Terrible night with all of us getting up at various times.
I scoffed my heart out last night (curry and chocolate surprise). Jesus that played havoc with me. I might have washed it down with orange juice which was rather silly of me!

However I have an online meeting with my gorgeous French city broker. I shall have to glam up. The fruitcake beauty brand owner is back wanting to sell so Wendy needs to crack on. If I get this over the line I shall be content.

Good morning shipmates, lovely to see you all on the newly-swabbed decks. I tasked Sid with getting some pastries in to celebrate, but he said his supplier let him down. He was burping with crumb-covered whiskers as he "explained himself"... 🤔

Hope your meeting goes well @WendyWagon - you are mighty, you've got this.

Please feel free to tag anyone in who might like to find us here. @Becky3825 - this is where we are if you want to climb aboard again. We miss you.

Strength and courage bold shipmates. It will be alright. x

Evening shipmates! A trip to the big city today for work. And was most enjoyable which is a rarity these days as work is always hard going.
Read my book on the train with a nice cuppa! Plans for the gym first thing tomorrow as it sets me up for the day. Currently reclined resplendently on the sofa in my pjs. And that’s the way I like it!

Evening shipmates, just checking in.

I have scoffed toasted hot cross buns with butter and marmalade after recent events they were needed and absolutely delicious. DD has quite a few weeks of recovery ahead, I am gutted for her and doing my best not to be sad but my emotions feel like a pendulum at times.
On a positive, was so nice seeing the sun shinning on the blossom and daffodils today.

Don’t forget to claim the St Patrick’s Day badge in the Try Dry app those who are using it! ☘️

Hi all,
Just checking in.

@WendyWagon I do hope you'll stay..I echo the others in always enjoying your posts and wisdom. I love the mix on here and the wonderful people at all stages, I think that's what makes their group so special.

I'm sorry re your DH @SmellyMe, sending solidarity - we are currently having quite a tricky time in our marriage too. In fact life is giving me quite a beating ATM but I'm proud to say I haven't had a drink although I did have a wobble today when it just all felt too much - I had a Cadburys cream egg and a cry instead because getting drunk and then having a hangover is really the last thing I need ATM.

I hope others are doing okay and sending love to all those struggling xx

may i ask for help - i am killling myself with alcohol and cannot stop. can anyone help me please

Hi @GreyhoundLurcher - I’m so sorry to hear you’re struggling so much

Here is the link to Alcohol Change’s Get Help Now page - it includes some support numbers if you want to speak to someone in real life

Get help now

Firstly, well done on admitting you have a problem, that takes guts.

This thread has helped me so much since I abstained from alcohol last July, I would probably encourage you to post as often as you like, take anything you can from those on here that have been where you currently are. It really does get easier, you’ve made the first important step.

Do you have anyone IRL that can support you through this? I found that by opening my network wider gave me a better chance of kicking it once and for all rather than just going through it myself. Try not to suffer alone.

If you are trying to abstain from alcohol please make sure it is safe to do so, sudden changes to your drinking patterns can be fatal, so do speak to a healthcare professional to make sure it is safe to stop. I had to taper down gradually over a week/10 days.

We are here for you, good luck!

Thank you for the thread @REP22

Another NYT puzzle lover here - terrible at Connections but always think today is the day!

Sorry I’ve been AWOL. I have people staying for a couple of weeks which is very tiring. Day 76 here. Finally noticed a bit of weight shift. Feeling positive generally.

Welcome @GreyhoundLurcher You are amongst friends here. Well done for finding us. I found what finally seems to be working for me (after various failed attempts) is a combination of this board, setting myself an initial challenge target of one year and telling people about that, the Try Dry app, journaling, sober podcasts, exercise, new hobbies and being as nice and lenient to myself in every other way. Maybe some of those could help you.
I would also suggest writing down how you are feeling right now so you can go back to it when you are struggling. I didn’t do that but am always envious of another poster who did as think it would have been very helpful.

Welcome at @GreyhoundLurcher, we are here to help. I'd echo the advice given here and keep talking. We will listen x
Congratulations on 76 days @eekwhatnow!

Good morning shipmates,

Brief in and out for me - work chaos dawned yesterday. Knobbery of such pointlessness and high-impact on my time which kept me awake fretting (which I very rarely do these days) until gone 4.30am. At which point Sid woke up. 😒

Speaking of dickery in all its forms, I am sorry to hear that your DH is continuing in his @SmellyMe - that must be really hard to endure. Might it be time for a special treat of a lovely home-made meat pie for his dinner of an evening? Shop-bought ready-made pastry is a boon to the home cook. Winalot or Chappie are excellent for firmness - but you can't beat Pedigree Chum for texture and flavour. Immensely satisfying to behold, and he need never know. 😈😉 Ways and means, @SmellyMe, ways and means...

Welcome @GreyhoundLurcher - I am very glad you have found us. I, like others here, have been exactly where you are now. It's really, really horrible. It does take courage to admit that you might need some support, you should be really proud of yourself for that. No-one will judge you here, and there is a wealth of experience and kindness. Here's a link to the previous thread, if you would like to have a browse - there are many other previous ones - I've been here since 2023: The Continuing Support Thread for Anyone Trying to Lead an Alcohol-Free Life Spring 2026 | Mumsnet. I can recommend the books in the opening post, as well as One For the Road by Sober Dave, if podcasts are your thing. Many other resources are available. When I was really at my depths, I didn't really find that AA was for me, but I DID find SMART recovery immensely helpful - SMART Recovery Programme - UK SMART Recovery I think you can do it online if you prefer. Keep posting, we will support you. I'm sorry to say that it won't be easy to begin with, but I absolutely guarantee you that it will be worth it, in so many ways. And we will walk the path with you, every step, if you want us to. You are not alone in this.

@eekwhatnow nice to see you again. I like to see "befores and afters" on life-sorting programmes and IRL - but I rarely remember to record my beginnings in order to fully appreciate my achievements too (to be fair, I wasn't in a fit state to be recording anything at my particular beginning). I know it might sound a bit twee, but have you thought about writing a letter to your former self, outlining your accomplishments and victories, what you'd have liked someone to say to you when you were down there at the time? That might be something akin to a before-and-after journal. You could keep it in a drawer to read whenever you need to.

Right, back to the galleys for me, lads. May I find patience in the tittery that I know is shortly to come. Ye gods, it's a bit early in the year - but here's a favourite Sid pic to remind us that there is still joy in this world, there are still hearty smiles, and the bluebells will bloom again.

Strength and courage shipmates. We are brave. We are strong. It is going to be alright. x

Afternoon all.
Welcome @GreyhoundLurcher

Thanks @REP22 for starting this and thanks for hosting again.
I don't always get time to post but love reading everyone's updates since I started my sober journey last April and have learned so much from the wise crew of women here.
We've got this everyone :)

Fantastic to see you @Teaforthetotal - you're doing so well; an inspiration to us all. x

Thanks for such a lovely comment @REP22 honestly feels like the posts here have been an amazing help in staying the course.
Welcome @GreyhoundLurcher we're here and have all been in your shoes,x

❤️ sid! He is just the most expressive dog ❤️ and lol to winalot pie 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Checking in Captain @REP22 . Good to see Sid posing with the bluebells. Such a handsome chap. And good to see so many shipmates have made it to the new deck.

I'm going to hurt tomorrow. I've been to an exercise class - first one for three weeks or so, as I hurt my leg and was out of action for a while - and I'm already sore. I know when I wake up tomorrow I'll regret it. It's important I go though. What with my sloth-like tendencies and my dodgy breathing meaning I can't walk far, the 'Exercise For the Decrepit' group is a lifesaver. The Class prefect woman wasn't there, and I dared hope she might have graduated to an intermediate group or something 🤞. We all managed without her telling us what to do.

I'm going to soak in a Radox bath before bed, and hope for the best.