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

Congrats on the weight loss, @REP22. I've been troughing the ice cream lately, which obviously isn't helping my waistline. I'm going to my exercise class in an hour - it's an unequal struggle.

Morning all.
Double sleep this morning.

I too are having a marks lasagne tonight!
My boys are off playing a big match.

I actually went out after my hair do yesterday and did a charity donation. I then snook into Lidl as they had some beautiful plants. The DH followed me. Not sure if he was helping or watching! I'd have got more.

I loved the other Bennett girl. Nice to have something without guns and general grimness.
I'm watching Missed Call as I like to work it out then bet DH a fiver.

Good news on my business project, my chemist thinks he can make my product for me. Not easy but I'll be so proud if I can do it. One for the legacy. One for female empowerment.

I started on Missed Call last night, too. I haven't seen the Other Bennett Girl yet, but will give it a try at some point.

I've been to my Keep Fat class, and am pleased to report that Ms Bossyknickers appears to have left - she has missed at last three in a row. Hoorah.

It's raining here - a real downpour. Luckily I am indoors with no plans to leave the house tonight. I shall be staying in with the Apprentice final. I hope all shipmates are doing well.

In fact I won't be staying in with The Apprentice final, as it is on tomorrow!

I have just spent half an hour looking for the charging lead for my kindle, and it is sitting on the coffee table in front of me. I then couldn't find my phone, as I was sitting on it. I'm beginning to wonder if I should check in to a home for the bewildered.

Hello!

Checking in to say I am still here. I think I am one week AF today (it may have been yesterday - Easter holidays were a bit like groundhog day with my kids and me being at home).

I started watching The Other Bennett Girl amd enjoyed it but stopped watching for some reason. I must go back to it.

I am watching Testaments on Disney+ at the minute, (follow up series to The Handmaid's Tale), and am enjoying it. However, is obviously very bleak and sometimes gory, so not really an easygoing watch. I loved the books though, and am enjoying this series too. I didn't like the HMT after the first series really, so I'm hoping this doesn't go on too long!

Well done on a week @OldHattie! Do you have the TryDry app? Would recommend if you do like to track. Not all of us do but could be helpful. You also get badges.. and one thing I wish id done in the beginning was track my mood, sleep , etc which you can do on the app and then see how it changes over time. Just a thought.

I didn't like the Hand Maid's Tale after the first series either so had been put off watching this new one. Just started Missed Call.. a lot of knowing looks but I do like a whodunnit.

Good morning shipmates, love & strength to those who are going through struggles and welcome to the newbies. I’m still ticking along, today is day 108 for me so I’m early days too, just wanted to recommend a podcast for those who like the ‘deep science’; Huberman Lab - ‘What alcohol does to your Body, Brain & Health’. I listened on Spotify, I’ve had a couple of days where I’ve been tempted in the last week so I’ve re-listened and nope - I’m not putting myself through that any time soon!

Morning all! I just googled and think I’ll save watching Missed Call until after my child gets back from his French Exchange next month! Eek.

A slow week for me. I’d got into a good rhythm before my holiday and was eating well etc but finding it hard to get back to it.

Morning all.
I keep a diary but I witter on here!

The ds is here so I'll get some lunch today.

Morning shipmates!

Day 10 for me. I've started reading some quit lit - so far I'm a third way through The Joys of Being Sober. Enjoying it so far, some things really resonating.

I am a little apprehensive about tomorrow, Friday was always my favourite day of the week, the start of my drinking week..
At a party at the weekend too but I will be leaning on AF drinks and am determined not to drink.

Well done on your 100 days!! 🎉 That's amazing!

Have a great day all

Morning all

I'm getting depressed and annoyed at the conspiracy theory thread but I can't stop looking at it. Argh!

Got some lovely things yesterday from a second hand shop. Both 90s (I think) Donna Karen. A lovely silk black maxi skirt and a cream wool jacket with huge buttons. Very pleased. There were other things I would have liked but sadly they were too small. Even if I really went for it I don't think they would fit. My rib cage is too wide!

Have a good day all. My 'do' is tonight so I shall report back.

Thank you. I have downloaded it and started tracking.

I haven't seen the conspiracy theory thread - i do have to actively avoid some (or a lot) of threads on here. Some are just annoying!

Evening shipmates!
Good news on bossys absence from the class @ShyMaryEllen but I’ll miss the stories!
A fairly dull week for me so far which is just the way I like it!
I really want to watch The Testaments and know it will be brilliant but I need a gentler watch this evening!

Ha! It was so much easier putting our weights and chairs back in the store room without her keeping us all in single file and watching to make sure nobody thought for themselves. We all sat where we liked, without her pointing out that Betty usually has the seat next to hers, and 'Betty' sat somewhere else of her own volition, wearing a look of rebellion mixed with relief. Nobody was darkly muttering under their breath as we skipped home smiling. The air was lighter and the atmosphere lifted.

It's not over till it's over though - it could be that she's having an extended holiday, so watch this space.

Morning everyone. Checking in on day 270. Well done @OldHattie on a week and @MaineStorm on ten days, fantastic!

I have had such a busy couple of weeks work wise. I fell asleep on the couch about 8pm last night and woke up in a daze about midnight. Up again at 5am, my body must think it’s had enough sleep.

I’m off for a week after today, this will be the first prolonged period off work since I took time off last year to quit drinking. Just need to get through today, I have a walkthrough to present to my wider team today that I’ve been cramming all week on to get over the line. Once that’s done, I’ll be doing bugger all for the rest of the day!

My time away from work will look so different to how my annual leave was spent when I was drinking. I am really excited to go out on long walks, play my pastime, just generally enjoy not working.

Before, I’d have been on the vino at 1pm, possibly even earlier because I’d somehow justify that I’ve worked so hard so deserve a blow out.

Before you know it, Sunday night rolls round, my sleep pattern is all over the place, I’m not well rested, I’m irritable, all the things that a week off work should NOT make you for returning to work.

Congrats @Adsy1988 i hope you have a lovely holiday, totally the same on holiday drinking, it’s a revelation to have the energy to actually do fitness type things :)

Good luck all for the weekend x

Morning all.

Cottage hunting online yesterday.
I found a pretty one but it's really small. I'm not sure we'd get our beds in. Cheap though.

Well done @Adsy1988

Hello, first friday. I have AF drinks ready and looking forward to waking up tomorrow feeling good.

Thats such an uplifting post @Adsy1988 congratulations.

Morning all.
That was hard. Very hard. I said yes to a wine being poured for me at dinner eventually. My usual trick of saying no twice didn't work because I was a guest on a table and I just kept being asked and it was so noisy. I didn't want to just shout 'I don't drink' across the table as for the first time I felt a bit embarrassed by it. Madness! Then I did have a sip but stopped there. It tasted very strong. Once the awards part was over and I could get up and wander around and speak to people I knew it was much better, plus speaking to people who were three sheets to the wind helped me not want to join them. I really could have done with some AF versions. It was tap water or an alcoholic drink.

Still. All done and despite the late night (2am!) it could have been so much worse.

I'm claiming my mission badge!

Well done @Lavrander

@Lavrander wow. Just wow. To you and getting through but also to the dreadful rudeness and insensitivity that you experienced.

I previously managed nearly 2 years AF. I cracked at a work event as I couldn't face standing out. I still cant work out why I felt different at a work event. Just a glass... but of course it didn't stay there for long.

Such a proud achievement for you.

That was really tough @Lavrander . Such a lack of imagination from the venue, and so non- inclusive. You did brilliantly though, and should be really proud of yourself.

I was invited to a team wine tasting yesterday. I managed to hit the decline button without making any sarky comments, but my days of keeping my head down may be limited!! We have quite a few Muslims in our team, so that excludes them too.

I went to a work event last night and they actually had AF fizz on offer! It was tucked away in a bucket and I had to point it out to the waiter, but a bit of progress….

@Lavrander bloody well done! What a tricky one and also for taking the sip but then making the decision to stay true under immense pressure. Super proud of you x

We have a big summer party event thing coming up that’s usually a lot of booze flowing, after reading your post I’m going to contact the catering/events team and ask if they can make sure there are AF options. It’s also fairly rural and difficult to get taxis so you’d like to think a lot of people not drinking.

@Onewildandpreciouslife also well done, I work sort of adjacent to the booze industry so I’m around it a lot but the good news is that there is huge investment in the AF sector, especially in European wine. Hopefully it will get easier x

I’m in a great mood today :) looking forward to the weekend, this whole AF thing has been life changing for me.

@WendyWagon i feel like the right cottage is waiting in the wings, if I wanted to sell the perfect cottage. I’d wait until the garden in full bloom, hopefully your new lovely cottage will come on the market soon.

@REP22 i have a request to see Sid in the bluebells (all other shipmates dog photos welcome but Sid is my favourite) I think I put on what you lost at this weeks SW, but I did eat a lot of Black Forest Gateau :) onwards and upwards, I’m now working towards my gold fitness too x

Well done @Lavrander 👏🏼 you deserve that mission badge.
I’m devastated to report that my streak ended at 107 days, in Spain with my pregnant friend, we ordered a jug of white Virgin Sangria with our tapas, it was delicious, fizzy, fruity & luckily just a small jug so a glass each. Then went to sit at the bar & ordered another, we’re both horrified when she started putting in Cava….she spoke no English so we discussed with her colleague who confirmed the first jug did contain alcohol. It isn’t ideal for my friend but she’s at 30 weeks so not too worried. I’m mortified and hated adding the drink to my app.