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

Evening shipmates
The birdsong chat remind me of when I downloaded an app during Covid that insisted every bird was a robin. Even when it was clearly a pigeon!
I suspect this app has improved now but it used to make me laugh.

I do think we need a laugh emoji, that’s proper tickled me @Carpetburn :)

Off to bed. I’ve fallen again. Day 1 again tomorrow.

I hope you sleep well @WhatMaggieDid sending you a hug through my phone

Morning all.

No Yorkshire tea yet. Stiff as a board.
The DD is ok and will be reviewed in a fortnight.

@friendlycat well done on 9 months, that’s incredible. Your quit date must be fairly close to mine (20th July 2025). @WhatMaggieDid day one today, you have got this, one foot in front of the other!

@WendyWagon I hope your daughter is OK. Even when they’re adults they don’t stop you worrying about them.

The sunshine and the warm weather yesterday were very welcome, really put a spring in my step.

I’m always a bit reflective at this time of the year. I thought I had hit my rock bottom about this time three years ago, and managed to quit for about 3 weeks, which was my longest AF period in 10+ years, but I just couldn’t sustain it.

That said, sometimes it takes once and done to quit, and more power to those who have done it this way. It might have taken a further 5 or 6 attempts in the period between April 2023 and July 2025, but I am AF and will be AF forever.

Wishing everyone a lovely Wednesday.

morning thank you!! Honestly I did not take that from your post and I’m just so grateful for your response and to hear a hopeful message. So pleased it did in your case. I really do hope things work out. I am kicking myself that we turned down the other roles last year. I know my husband is a bit. It’s weird that I am more emotionally invested in all this than he is atm although relieved he’s coping ok but I think he was unhappy for a long while. So it makes me happy he can try something else. He just needs the chance.

I need to move on! But I hate change and I’m a worrier.

on the bright side it has been so nice with some sun.

I hope everyone is doing ok. I have had a few twinges of missing alcohol but then remind myself it’s utter poison and won’t help.

@Sunshinebound99 I always look back on some of the funnier shenanigans when I was drinking. I do a mean impression of Sir Les Patterson!

It was a time and a place. Having turned sixty I think I'd look seriously dodgy getting mega pissed these days. I watched a lady of a similar age fall off her chair in a restaurant last year. Not for me anymore.
Some people are home drinkers and others only when they're out. Me? Anywhere back in the day.

However I now abstain from the bores and manipulators as I'm sober. God does that wind them up! They become booze pushers.

Completely agree! I was an anywhere drinker too. I felt it was part of who I was. I’m mid 40s now and l don’t want the next few decades to be filled with all that. It doesn’t work anymore.

luckily friends in the area we live in are in the main not big drinkers but I do have some friends who are. So far they haven’t pressured me. Will see what unfolds over time. I think my father in law is a bit of a booze pusher. I really really like him but it’s how he grew up and what he knows. Hopefully my husband won’t be influenced. He really idolizes his dad

Today is day 100, usually tick off in my app on a night but working today & starting early tomorrow so know it will be AF 🥳
This thread, and more importantly the wonderful shipmates aboard, have been a godsend, went back to read my November posts (my first attempt, 3 days!) and felt very emotional. I’m child free by choice and had never even heard of Mumsnet, I only discovered it when researching WLI for my hubby, and I’m soooooo thankful I did, nobody in my actual life would have given me the support you all have and I’m very thankful.
Now the work really begins, I have a holiday to Madrid in a couple of weeks that was booked a year ago, thankfully the friend I’m going with is pregnant so it’s safe.
Have a wonderful day and enjoy the sunshine 😎

Oh Madrid (lovely clothes to buy) @TwoNicePuppies

Congrats on 100 days. You must be feeling ace.

Congratulations @TwoNicePuppies !! 100 days is a wonderful milestone, and the good news is that it gets better! Glad you found us.

Hope you’re feeling ok this morning @WhatMaggieDid

100 days is epic @TwoNicePuppies congratulations, doors and shopping in Madrid, fabulous!

@Sunshinebound99 periods of change can sometimes put me under a lot of stress but by and by it’s usually for something better and brighter, I hope it’s positive news for you all soon. I also drank at every opportunity to be social and it’s been lots of firsts, airport, flight you don’t need a drink, kids parties etc, first day of sun. I’m lighter and freer it’s so worth it.

@WhatMaggieDid big hugs it’s just a blip, all the AF days do count, we’ve got you x

@WendyWagon I hope you’re feeling a bit more spritely. I’m already slightly worried about my teens leaving home and growing up even though I’ve got a few years to go, they are so unbelievably annoying yet wonderful and I can’t imagine cutting the apron strings at all.

@Adsy1988 & @friendlycat 9 months is incredible. I’m September so not far behind you both, the waking up and thinking never again but hitting the bottle either that night or the next, countless times for me. It took for me to be dizzy and short of breath to get scared enough to quit, I had a huge epiphany that I could potentially leave my children and drop dead so I decided on a year. Now that year is edging closer and I’d love to think I’ve got this in the bag, but I’m not sure I do.

Strength and courage shipmates x
Sun is shining for, which needs to mean go for a nice walk not sit in the garden with wine and a book which is what old me would have done.

Good morning shipmates. Up early this morning and grateful for sobriety as it all kicked off at work before nine. All sorted now. Ho ho ho.

Congratulations on 100 days @TwoNicePuppies and 9 months @friendlycat - absolutely brilliant and an inspiration to us all. 🎉💖 I'm so glad you're here with us. I'm childfree too @TwoNicePuppies so technically have no business being here but, like you, found the site whilst looking for something else, came upon this thread in 2023 (I think @WendyWagon and @Onewildandpreciouslife were captains of the ship back then) and am, and ever shall be, thankful for it and all the posters here. It's been the rudder in the storms and the safe haven where I can be me.

Glad your DD is doing alright @WendyWagon - hope all continues well.

Don't be too hard on yourself @WhatMaggieDid - Day 1, a new beginning. We have all been there, myself many times. It's not in the fall but the recovery that we shine, and your days of shine and sparkle will come. Keep going, one foot in front of the other. You can do it. 💐

Strength and courage, brave friends. We are going to make it. xx

Massive congratulations @TwoNicePuppies on 100 days, that is fantastic! Enjoy your well deserved and sober trip to Madrid. I’ve been once before, to see Coldplay about 20 something years ago, seemed really nice!

It’s so good to hear people’s success stories, really is phenomenal how well we are all doing.

Hi shipmates, I'm still on board.

@whatmaggiedid hope you're ok, one day at a time.

@sunshinebound99 So sorry to hear about the redundancy hope there is good news on the horizon soon.

@twonicepuppies congratulations on 100 days.

Still on the wagon and my mum is also taking a break from the booze. Mum stayed over Easter and we had just as many laughs and stayed up talking too late as usual but woke refreshed.

Went to the dentist today and they pointed out my teeth were quite flat and asked if I was a teeth grinder and asked whether I'd been under any stress. On reflection the last 2 years have been very stressful including loosing my Dad to liver cancer. I tend to just keep putting one foot in front of the other so probably bottling lots up and grinding my teeth. Going through a stressful time with my eldest Dd who has an injury, waiting to find out results of recent MRI and next steps for recovery.
Sunny days are a trigger for me but I've sat in the garden with a coffee then sparking water just enjoying the warmth of the sun listening to the birds and chilling with my lovely Dd's.

Hello @endlesswashing - lovely to hear from you 🙂 That's lovely to hear about your mum, really cheering. I'm glad you had a nice time together.

My teeth are funny ones too. I'm not a grinder, but they are odd little pegs. As long as I can still lap up a Farleys Rusk, I'm guessing I'm good. xx

I love Farley's rusks. My non d sister and I use to have them Christmas morning. I need full sugar though none of that sweetener rubbish.

Just had a northern dinner ( family joke). Lots of urh. The dog licked his, common as muck.
It consisted of peas and a pudding!

Gosh it’s so strange. I managed 60 days so easily without any problems but this time I’m really struggling to get going. I’m lying here, awake at stupid o’ clock, with palpitations and a bit of headache, wondering why I’m doing this to myself.

I keep thinking of all the things that are coming up where it would be ‘nice’ to have a drink, but I’ve done so many things sober and had an absolute blast! It helps to write this actually…

I’ve done sober Christmas, a sober gig, a sober festival, meals, been out with friends - so much! DH doesn’t drink anymore so I don’t know why I’m finding this so hard now!

Morning all.
Sorry you’re struggling @WhatMaggieDid . Two thoughts that may or may not be helpful. The early days are HARD. It takes 4-5 days for the alcohol to leave your body, and 10 days for your cortisol levels to drop. It’s a painful process, that our brains know can be “cured” with more alcohol. By 60 days, you would have forgotten all of this- so it may be a shock to be sailing at 60 days and struggling at 5.
The other thought is: are you struggling with “forever”? I used to really struggle around milestones, because the thought of admitting “this was it” was SO hard. But really, it’s just one day at a time.
You can do this - you’ve done it before. It’s hard, but we can do hard things

Morning, shipmates!

Catching up after my long weekend, which I thankfully got through unscathed. There was another pub session to endure - that one seemed to go on for ages - I actually had a bit of a lightbulb moment in that I was bored to tears and suddenly asked myself 'would you rather be drunk and bored or sober and bored?' and 'sober and bored' was the clear winner. I realised that being drunk wouldn't magically transform the dreary pub or my sister's 'pub friends' who were all talking about people and events that meant nothing to me - I would simply have been bored, but feeling drunk at the same time.

I spammed the pub juke box by putting £10 in over a few intervals and whiled away the time waiting for my songs to come on - in the past I'd have spent at least £50 on beers in a pub so I didn't feel £10 was a waste of money.

Not wanting to 'tempt fate' but no more difficult situations of that kind are on the horizon now until my summer holiday, so I feel as though I'm over a hump.

@TwoNicePuppies Congrats on your 100 days!

@endlesswashing I hope your DD's MRI results are good and lead to positive next steps for her recovery. Sitting in the garden with a coffee sounds a lovely and peaceful way to relax, hoping more sunny days are to come - where I am we have rain forecast for the rest of the week and the weekend, after a gorgeous day yesterday when I was stuck in the office 😫

Morning all.

A bit better health wise today
I shall attempt to go into the DS room. Not been up there.

One thing I’ve learned along the way of my nine month journey is that there are definitely ups and downs and they come out of nowhere.

You can be merrily riding along feeling positive and great and then crash down with a bump of this is hard. But for sure it gets easier the longer you travel along but it’s definitely something that has to be constantly managed.

I too think it’s better to be in the present with it and not get overwhelmed by thinking of too far into the future and framing it as forever.

Holidays are when I have to work at it especially daily. I’m on my second holiday and at the beginning I feel overwhelmed and then just crack on. But being surrounded by everyone drinking at every lunch, bar stop and evening meal can trigger many thoughts that have to be squashed down.

Thanks everyone. I’ve reset my app for 100 days so just focusing on that for now. I’ve done 52 and 60 so this is just a little push longer.

A question for the hive mind…what’s your best advice for when the cravings are REALLY overwhelming? For me that’s been when we’ve been having a roast with family who are are drinking, or dinner with friends and the wine is being poured and it’s all very sociable and convivial.
I need something that’s going to stop me making that bad decision to join in with the drinking!

IWNDT.

Hi all

@WhatMaggieDidsorry it's been a struggle but as you say you know you can do it.
@TwoNicePuppies - wohoo congratulations on 100 days. Hope you feel amazing!

I'm struggling a little I have to admit. Could do with some advice. Up to this point I've been able to play it forward and also read back on how I felt when I decided to stop for good. The issue I'm having now is I just feel bleurgh and I just feel like I need to be outside of myself and wild. Does anyone feel like that? I know I know all I'll feel is sick a blurry and awful but how do I capture that euphoria again? I just feel like I really need a good laugh and to lose all my inhibitions and I just feel like I've become a bit stiff? I think maybe I'm having some kind of midlife crisis!