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.

Morning all
810 days AF!!

It's been ages since I checked in - so much going on here.
We've been away on holiday, major decluttering and house cleaning, supporting DS in some summer work experience, and awaiting GCSE results, which have been a major stressor alongside the OTHER MAJOR uncertainty in our lives, on which I cannot share any details for fear of outing except to say we should have clarity by Monday/Tuesday next week.

DSs GCSE results have been (overall) slightly better than expected. I was really worried about him making the required grades for his chosen A-Level courses and all has gone well there, so that is one less thing to worry about for next year. (He's worked really hard and achieved higher than expected grades in almost all his subjects but I am a bit frustrated by the media (and the school's) focus on 8s and 9s because it takes the shine off the individual's achievements a bit).

Welcome @DidILeaveTheGasOn - the early days are SO SO SO SO hard. Just hang in there, take your thiamine and eat sugar as @WendyWagon suggested. You are recovering and your body, physically, has so much to to you. Please be kind to yourself and place no expectations on it other than not drinking today.
Bathtime and bedtime are your friend right now.

Sorry to hear about your and Sid's injuries @REP22 - recover well.

@ShyMaryEllen I am with you on house renovations - I just don't have the energy for them. If we move again, I either want something that is completely done or be able to gut and redo the whole thing before moving.

Welcome back @pinkclouds26 - you've done 6 months before - you can definitely do it again.

I read a really good news letter by Laura Mckowen last week in the context of Brad Pitt's return to drinking and what stood out to me was this:

"When other people talk about moderation I feel my chest actually constrict. I never wanted to moderate, ever. I mean, sure, I wanted to believe I could if I tried, but really what this meant is that I wanted to believe I could drink as much as I needed to drink without suffering the consequences of how much I needed to drink. And I needed to drink it all, all the time. And I’m not using the word need here as I just kinda want to drink more but need as in there is literally no way I can stop.

Look: I could probably, for a very limited time, “hold it together.” I’m sure I could make it through a couple dinners with my friends, a party or two, maybe even a few weekend nights on my own, without drinking far too much. But the amount of effort that would take? The amount of brain space drinking or not drinking or when am I drinking next? and am I okay? and do people notice? and is this too much? and will it be obvious if I have another? and and and—OH MY GOD, NO."

Much love to you all and

IWNDWYT

Hello @EastCoastDamsel , good to hear of your son's exam success! I hope it inspires him to work hard at the next stage too, and he sees what opportunities he can open up to himself. Good luck with your Other Stuff too... 🤫

That's such a good point about the head space that alcohol takes up... for me it was a constant 'will I won't I?' and it was lose-lose either way - I'd drink and regret it, or not drink and feel deprived...

As with exams, sometimes sobriety is hard work, but the results are worth it!

😁

I drove nearly 100 miles and walked about 4 hours yesterday so today I am stiff as a board and having a quiet one... it seems the ironing did not do itself while I was out so I'll crack on with that...

Have a good Friday! Get the snacks and pop in for witching hour, if that's your bag! Special cheers to our newbies - Saturday mornings are stellar when we don't drink on Friday nights! 🤩

(And hope that Sid and @REP22 are healing nicely)... 🐾☝️

So agree re the headspace. When I stopped drinking I felt as though I got hours back!

Lovely to hear from you @EastCoastDamsel - I hope your remaining uncertainty resolves itself soon.

❤️ to @EastCoastDamsel

Hello, @EastCoastDamsel! Good to hear from you, and congratulations on 810 days - that's brilliant. Congrats also to your son on his GCSEs, and I hope your major uncertainty works out well.

I hope you and Sid are recovering, @REP22. We are currently dog-free, but spaniel grandpuppy will be staying at the end of the month.

I believe that those of us who have stopped drinking before can do it again - the wires are there if we can find them and follow them. It still takes hard work, and a massive amount of perseverance, but the fact that we know it's possible counts for a lot.

One foot in front of the other, shipmates.

Afternoon shipmates,

Wonderful to hear from you @EastCoastDamsel - and many congratulations to your DS for his exam success; that's brilliant. I used to be an exams officer in a school (long while ago) - I remember with sorrow the angst and bitterness from some parents when their kids failed to achieve A*s (showing my age there) in ALL subjects. I also well remember one lad who came in to get his results on the day and had got an E in Maths. He was absolutely beside himself with joy - he knew he was hopeless in the subject and this was his third attempt at the exam for any kind of grade. When I told him he'd passed with an E, he whooped with delight and danced around my office. A treasured memory. I will be thinking of you on Monday/Tuesday and hope all goes well. 💐

Thanks for all your good wishes❤️. My hand is still fairly grim, but mending well. Sid is in fine form and making a full recovery. Deck-swabbing and cannon duties resumed as normal. Sid has presented me with a "prescription" from "the vet". I've seen right through it - so if you hear a scrattin' at your cabin door at night and see this being pushed under your door; please push it gently back across and pop a sturdy pillow against the door...

Strength and courage. It's going to be alright. x

I've had solero folks. Friday night sugar.

New cottage to the market but I saw it years ago.
My late brother built the kitchen.
I'm not going for it because there are few services in the village. The favourite village has two pubs, two cafés and a library plus a chippy. I need people more I think.

Tee hee ❤️

Well, I'm not a vette, but even I'm aware that chops are essential to a cabin boy's diet. I'm delighted that Sid has had that confirmed.

Morning all.

Gosh I've had a weird week health wise.
I have been living in cuckoo land all week. The binge knocked me for six.

Home day today and I have some sorting to do.

Even though I have stopped eating meat I love a lamb chop. I'll save one for when I see Sid next month.

I will not drink today 🐛

How are you getting on @mermadeincornwall @DidILeaveTheGasOn ? X

Sid is very chipper this morning. We're off to cricket in a minute. He's looking forward to seeing you again soon @WendyWagon x

Decks are swabbed and he's on the cannons later. Any chops can be left discreetly by the gunpowder barrel.

Keep going @mermadeincornwall - you're doing really well.

Strength and courage. x

Hoping a good result for you at the cricket @REP22. Have left lamb chops and a babybel by the cannons.

Had a bit of a strange mourning recently about never drinking again. Sort of akin to the realisation that I'll never be an astronaut. I don't actually want to be an astronaut but I guess you get to a point in life that you realise it absolutely is not in your future. Does that sound mad?

I do know however that compared to this time last year when I was a couple of months in I am so much more content. My skin is better, I'm fitter, and I feel healthier, even whilst a Victoria sponge bakes in the oven.

It’s not mad at all @Lavrander - you’re developing a different identity so it’s pretty existential stuff, and it’s understandable to mourn the old identity, even if it stopped serving you a long time ago

@Lavrander totally with you, I’ve been a bit off all holiday as it’s the last of my “first time without booze” in the run up to my year anniversary.

There are countless positives, so this weird melancholy feeling just feels a bit odd.

Must be something in the air, I've been pining a bit for it tonight... 'a bit off' is exactly right, @FiloPasty ... but having an AF cider instead... Think I've just been quite busy this week and also quite sore of back, so not appreciating those benefits just yet, and feeling sorry for myself and wanting a 'reward'... But a night's puking and a headache to add to the mix wouldn't help... 😆

And really, I am better off for sleep, and calmer, but you forget how bad it was... will read back some of my old Js to remind me... After 30 days you start to feel you should be making greater strides or changing things up a bit...

@WendyWagon , I adore lamb, your lamb chop love will be because of your Welshie blood... I wonder if Sid has any Welsh in him? We know he's a rare bit... and regularly pops out for a leek...

🤪

That vet has terrible handwriting, what are they teaching them in vet school these days... 😉

I will not drink today 🌴

Morning all.

Just had a lemon greek yoghurt.

It was cold here last night. I had to have my bedspread on.

No thoughts of drinking.

After last weekend’s successful meeting with my university friends I off again yesterday, totally unexpectedly, in a place that should have been ‘safe’. Feel dreadful.

I really needed to hear that, that I have done 6 months and can do it again, with the absolute knowledge this time that moderation does not work for me!

I remember reading about the wiring of the brain amd neuropaths, so thanks for reminding me!

Day 8 here and have thought about it a few times, but I am feeling determined. I am trying not to think to far ahead as one of my biggest thinks was always travel. As pathetic as it sounds I can't remember the last time I went to an airport without a drink. I have done a couple of nights in a hotel here, but not a proper holiday.

@TwoNicePuppies are you ok? I didn't understand your post.

Can we help?

@TwoNicePuppies so sorry I missed your post earlier too xx

@WendyWagon apologies, I wasn’t clear. Fell off the wagon yesterday 😢 sad times! It was somewhere I never even thought would sell alcohol so I hadn’t prepared myself, I was so proud of myself last weekend as I went to pubs with uni mates & didn’t drink.