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.

@DidILeaveTheGasOn you need sugar.

Eat something. Bath and trash TV.

I'll make you laugh, you may get the mad dreams next week. I was sh*gging Tom Cruise! I can't stand him irl.

@WendyWagon I hope you’re feeling better & aren’t being too hard on yourself now, it’s the advice you’d give us!
@REP22 sorry that you & dear Sid had a testing day, the ship can be a total shit hole as far as I care, as long as we’re all on it!
@mermadeincornwall fingers crossed that today was a good one for you.

It really is shit @DidILeaveTheGasOn - your brain is screaming at you because you’re doing something different and it wants to avoid the discomfort. Hang in there - you can ride this out. The PJs of peace await!

Thank you @TwoNicePuppies - you're very kind. Rest assured that the on-board shit hole HAS been inspected. Sid being a regular visitor to it himself, he is alert to the peril of spearings from a splinter. He keeps a sheet of sandpaper next to the shit hole, behind the toilet duck. And a bag of corn to keep the duck quiet. 🦆 x

😂

Hello all. Joining for some accountability after a long weekend (festival) with 1/2 bottles of wine each day - urgh. Fed up of alcohol stealing my good healthy routines and looks. Terrified that it's going to kill me and surprised it hasn't already.

@SharpWriter welcome.

@DidILeaveTheGasOn , if you ever had any questions about whether it's bad enough to quit, these pangs can really show us that Yes, it really is! So you are being a warrior here, and indeed, do anything to indulge and distract yourself... I found my concentration was for shit in the early days, so keep it light and short and simple...

@REP22 you fractured your finger?! How?! I do hope and trust it wasn't in the course of wrangling young Sid at the vet's? 😦

I wish you both a speedy recovery and I hope you're not having to wear a cone! ❤️

👆 (Finger posed by model).

Hello there, @SharpWriter ! Welcome aboard. 👋

I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself today, saw the GP this morning who blithely told me that I have no cartilage in my knee and arthritis in my hands, and will need a new knee in due course... but meanwhile we're both keen for me to try and physio it away for as long as possible... I mean, it explains why I'm so sore in the mornings, and generally tired, but ageing sucks, it really does... all she could suggest was paracetamol.

But hey, I've had worse. At least I can put a name to it now, and not think that I'm just a lazy-arse or imagining it.

Hi @SharpWriter - welcome; I'm glad you've found us. Sorry you're feeling rotten. It does get better. Lots of love and kindness awaits you here. x

Bless you @Gribouille - no wonder you've been feeling grim. But you're right - sometimes the not-knowing is worse. You've got a plan now - better things will come of this. ❤️❤️

No idea how I did my finger (little finger, right hand); not Sid-wrangling this morning (and much wrangling there was), though I do suspect Sid-involvement. He's been very fidgety the last couple of nights; think it happened in the wee small hours the night before last, manoeuvring myself into an odd position so Sid would be more comfortable. Not sure. A small price to pay anyway. It hurts like hell and is very swollen but better than it was. It will be alright soon.

Off to take Sid and his cone for a little wander. He's still highly drugged and strumming along with Hendrix, but I fear his bladder has been patient enough... x

Good lord, I've heard of restless sleepers, @REP22 , but that's extreme... What have they given you for it? Did they reset it? Is it bandaged?

Poor wee Sid, he's had a bad paw for a while now, hasn't he? Honestly, the pair of youse... 🥰🤗

wow its’s been busy round here since I last posted!

I am an absolute sugar fiend at the moment and need to find a way to wean myself off. Happened in January too. Better to be eating chocolate than drinking wine though…

@Gribouille can you use voltraol on your hands (she says with swivel eyes as I'm banned from buying it, man✌️).
I think it's marvellous stuff. You can't have it with naproxen or diclofenac but if that's not your meds I'd rub it in.
I have special gloves now but I confess to not wearing them as they're hot

I will not drink today 🐝

Morning all.

Absolutely@UnderSkies - just focus on not taking that first drink. Anything else can be sorted later

I promise you that each day gets easier. Remember, it's only the anticipation and the first mouthful that contains any pleasure - after that it's nothing. Not worth it.

Well dear friends I'm a much healthier woman today
I've woken up clear eyed and bushy tailed.
It's the rain I think!

I've mentioned a few times DD is training to be a psychologist and of course she has very firm opinions on people's behaviour. Obviously she wasn't impressed by mine on Sunday! However she did say I hadn't done such an awful binge since she was a child. That's something.
The DH is disappointed in me😔

On a lighter note I had a really exciting call from an estate agent I know of old. She has a rent to buy family for me. They're moving to the area and need something before Christmas.That would be fab. The DH likes the cottage which has shocked me as it's low ceilings but it is in a very active village. I did tell the agent I wasn't sure yet.

Voltarol, @WendyWagon ? I have some in my copious, hypochondriac's medicine chest... (honestly, it's like Boots, I like to know that if something crops up, I've got it covered) (except Gaviscon, which has gone more expensive than scotch these days)... Thanks for the tip. I've been mainlining nurofen plus but, even with esomeprazole, my guts ain't enjoying it... because of the codeine, will need to taper rather than cold turkey... 🦃

Anyway, will try after my shower this morning. Why are you banned from buying it? But don't let them judge you... only God can judge you... and Sid. And Sid is a benign deity. 😇

But like you, I'm feeling better this morning too, and yes, rain! There are ups and downs, aren't there, and the trick is learning to deal with them without always resorting to the quick cosh of booze...

Have a good day, everyone! 🤗

Thank you @Gribouille

I'm used to being judged!
My last boss has put a sideswipe up on LinkedIn about employing the wrong people in the early days.
As he's a coke head and all round plonker I've not called him out but I did put my own up this morning stating Management Consultants are not magicians!

Voltraol can't be used if you take diclofenac in tablet form. I used to get the DH to buy it 'for his back'.😁

I've got a little project in September making shower gel etc for my friends hotel. Not full time but it should keep me out of trouble.

day 5 here thank you very much for the welcome and I will try to post more consistently, I am reminding myself constantly of my reasons why and trying to draw on my experiences from last time. I have my sisters wedding Wednesday and usually I would use it as an excuse to wait and start next week but there will always be an excuse, I have a city break in October and I do think that will be more difficult.

Well done on getting to day 5 @pinkclouds26. Please don’t feel any pressure to post, but being part of a sober community can really help, so you may find checking in helpful.

How are you doing today @DidILeaveTheGasOn ?

Sid's benevolent forgiveness is available in exchange for a grilled chop @Gribouille 😉 He is recovering well. M is furious because I took his cone off. It was humiliating and frustrating him and he has no stitches to unpick.

Strength and courage brave shipmates. All shall be well. x

Morning all
Apologies I've not been out on deck for a few days but pleased to read you're all keeping things ship shape and showing our new shipmates the ropes.
A warm welcome @SharpWriter. Giving up alcohol for good will do wonders for your health and because of that, looks. It adds nothing, only steals.
How are you doing @DidILeaveTheGasOn? Try to remind yourself that this does get easier, not harder. The longer you go, the easier it gets, so lots of 'beginnings' is worse. Treat yourself to a lovely bed time routine - I like to think of myself as the woman from the old flame adverts - bath, chocolate, swan around being all floaty, proper body care routine, bed. Fake it until you make it.
Fantastic work on day 5 @pinkclouds26.
As it's Friday which can be a trigger for some, do have a routine planned for this evening that allows you to close out the week safe and sober.

I will not drink today 🐌

Morning all.

Funny old week.
DD and I are off out next week to see another cottage, same village. Could be too small. However downstairs study which I like and a guest annex thing in the garden. Ideal for the DS when he comes.

I'm still licking my wounds and dealing with the fall out from Sunday.