The support thread for those trying to lead an alcohol free life - Summer 2026

[Lavrander]

Hello and welcome!
This thread is for anyone who is trying to live an alcohol-free life. It was first set up by @drybird and has grown into a safe, supportive space to share thoughts, ask advice, swap experiences, or simply check in as we give up and keep off the booze.
There’s no judgment here – just encouragement. Whether you post every day, once in a while, or just read along quietly, you’re part of the group. Many of us have found this thread invaluable, whether brand new to abstaining or years into AF life.
Wherever you are on the journey, someone here will have been there too. Don’t be shy about posting – we love celebrating successes of all shapes and sizes, and we’ll support you through the tougher times as well.
The only thing we ask is that your aim is complete abstinence. If your goal is moderation or a break, there are a couple of really good threads on this board that will be a better fit. That doesn't mean that slips don't happen, and we'll support you in picking yourself back up and carrying on.
So climb aboard and join the shipmates (as well as our dog mascot Sid!) and see how good alcohol free life can be.

@FiloPasty we had a big orange Vax for thirty years. We now have the pet grade upright. I think you can get a spot washer. Much smaller, I think this is what @REP22 has.
DH uses Astonish fluid.

Hi everyone. Still lurking. Four weeks dry today. Busy weekend full of friends and family and zero hangovers. Keep going gang.

Well done @Booksandstuff four weeks is excellent.

Morning all.
Off for a legal fight this morning.
Last hearing I hope.

New car later in the week. It will be easier to drive. We had a quiet weekend after the disaster on Thursday.
Headhunter approach but it could be my old job at my most recent company. That would be a hell no from me. I'd rather stay semi retired.

Morning all.
Good luck today @WendyWagon

Well done on your 4 weeks @Booksandstuff

I went to the pub to watch the football on Saturday and was the most pressured to have a “real drink” in ages. The person was very drunk so I tried not to get too grumpy with them, and certainly had no desire to get into their state!

Morning
Well done @Booksandstuff!
How are you feeling after your treatment @Onewildandpreciouslife? Hope not too awful.

I had a nice weekend but not slept as well as I normally would. Feeling very groggy this Monday and I can't get my hair to sit right. I do however have my gym stuff with me so I can go after work. There.. I've committed now!

Hi everyone. I’m on holiday at the moment, been here for 6 days and have drank on 5 of them. Cumulatively each session seems to be worse. I can’t pour a normal measure and once I start I don’t stop. I don’t remember getting back to the villa last night, or the previous couple of nights. I have no idea what I had in the restaurant for dinner. I don’t really remember going out. This is scaring me. I need to stop. I can’t moderate. I’ve never typed this before or said it. I’m here for another week, I think I can stop. I think I’m done.

Hello @MsAmanda I’m so glad you’ve found us. Be really gentle with yourself today - drink plenty of water.

But start planning for this evening now - what will not drinking look like for you? What alcohol free alternatives are available? If you need to get to the shops, try to do this before late afternoon when your brain will start to whisper “it wasn’t that bad…”

For now, don’t worry about the rest of the holiday- just focus on getting through today without drinking

Hello Shipmates,

@FiloPasty - it was me that bought the Vax you mentioned! (Sid gave it to me for my birthday last year). I am ashamed to say that it remains untested - it's still in the box 😳 I mean, I have unpacked it... sorry about that. I am a bad girl...

Glad you've found us @MsAmanda - lots of lovely people here who full know well how wretched it is at the beginning. You can do it. It will be OK.

Good luck today @WendyWagon xx

Strength and courage. x

I feel ok thanks @Lavrander . Still having stomach issues on and off, so trying to work out if they’re triggered by particular food types. But I went for a (very slow) run this morning so feel like a winner!!

Pleased to hear it @Onewildandpreciouslifeand a run is still a run no matter how slow!

Hi @MsAmanda- I could really feel just how fed up you are from your post. I hope you'll join us x

Hi, I’m new. I would like to join to have some accountability. I’m so tired of being sick and tired due to alcohol. I’m in my early 60s and have been drinking since I was 16. I drink approximately 4 bottles of wine a week. I drink most nights. I often drink to excess. A few years ago I was AF for 3 months but went back to it. I’m greedy around alcohol but not food. In fact I watch what I eat. I’m fed up of the wasted days due to hangovers and not wanting to get up or exercise. I’m day 2 AF after a heavy night on Sat. I’ve bought a lot of soft drinks today. I’m feeling fairly positive so I’ll take each day as it comes and try my best!!

For whoever needs to hear this today (I did)

You're not alone.

Thanks for sharing that @EastCoastDamsel - hope you’re doing OK and sorry if life is tough right now

Welcome @Grandmashorty . One day at a time is all we need to do. I promise that if you stick with it you will be amazed at how much happier and more energetic you are. Being sober doesn’t make all our problems disappear, but it does right-size them

I met an incredible woman today. Just a few years older than me and coming up to 5 years sober. She shared her journey and experience so honestly and it was SO amazing to speak to her face to face.

Her route to sobriety was so similar to so many of ours and she had never regretted a day of it. She strengthened my resolve, chastised me a little and filled me with determination to keep on keeping on.

I’m so grateful the fates aligned for us to meet. I’ll carry her wisdom with me now and maybe one day I’ll be that person, passing it on again ☺️

Thank you all, I didn’t drink. I had lovely food and a few teas. Happy with myself.

Good morning.

Battle won but I'm still in the war.
Thanks for the support, I was very scared. I dressed up as it gives me confidence.

Good news was waiting for me, a single level barn conversion! Less than two miles from us. The DH and DD are cock-a-hoop. AONB.
It had sold but came back to the market yesterday. It empty too. We're seeing it tomorrow.
We've got our move date for September 1st.
That means eating down the freezers. Probably full of rubbish!

Welcome @MsAmanda and @Grandmashorty one day at a time.

Give yourself to 100 days before attacking the sugar rush. 30 days is too soon. I get the weight thing and I am diabetic too so bloods were crazy but get to 100 days first. Eat salad and cake if you have to! I am now six and a half years and you do get through it. But just focus on the alcohol right now. Good luck!

Exciting news @WendyWagon !

Welcome @Grandmashorty - I'm glad you have found us. This is such a supportive place.

Strength and courage shipmates. xx

That sounds a wonderful conversation @WhatMaggieDidNext. Was there anything in particular that struck you?

Yay @MsAmanda - you can do this. Keep going

Ooh that sounds exciting @WendyWagon

@Onewildandpreciouslife simply put, her honesty and commitment 🥰💪

Afternoon shipmates old and new!
Great stuff @MsAmanda. Routing for the same again this evening for you.

Welcome @Grandmashortyyou'll find lots of support here. Someone here will have been through it so do keep posting for advice and support when you need it. It's so common to be AF for a period of time and then get the 'oh it wasn't that bad' feelings or 'great, I will moderate now' thoughts.

The biggest revelation I have had since being alcohol free is just to realise that I'm not missing out. All those fun things everyone else is doing whilst they're drinking, I can do too. There is therefore just no reason to take it up again.

I did however have the strangest pang the other day as there was a bottle of spirit on the side in my kitchen. I didn't even like said spirit in my drinking days but just had my brain telling me that it would be fun. It was fleeting but odd.

Saw a friend the other day and she was telling me about how my scented candles were really bad for me .. whilst she was drinking a load of booze and had about 6 cigarettes! I did point this out to her. She's a funny one.

Lovely to hear about your meeting @WhatMaggieDidNext- very inspiring.

@Lavrander a relative who has been AF for over 10 years drinks A LOT of Diet Coke. (I mean a really unhealthy amount) But it is funny watching other family members (including her partner) having a go at her when they are drunk.

I don’t know if anyone else saw the thread on here recently from a young person asking what were the best drinks to start with, as they’d never had alcohol before. My immediate reaction was JUST DON’T START! Which took me by surprise a bit… 😂

…previously I’d probably have posted with a list of ‘good’ ideas 🫣