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.

@WendyWagon not prattling on at all! Any tips keep them coming! Exactly, the amount of money I wasted on alcohol... not just the drink but the associated takeaways, meals out as an excuse to drink, rubbish food to snack on!

This does seem like a lovely community, I feel like since getting more involved in the threads this time it has really helped me, so thank you everyone xx

Good afternoon shipmates.

This thread is a lovely place @pinkclouds26 - I don't know where I'd be without the good folks here. I was exactly the same as you - squandered money on takeaways I neither needed or wanted, neglecting myself and my home. I know it's really REALLY hard to pull yourself free, but I promise that all the time and effort involved is neither a second nor a penny wasted. I am loving the sober mornings too and the rain.

Sid and I are part-way through some garden improvements. I paid someone to sort out the appalling overgrowth and weeds. Then I saved some pennies and bought 3 tonnes of pea-shingle to spread over the old stones which had long since stopped holding weeds at bay. Since then I've been spreading the shingle, in 20 minute bursts while Sid "helps". Did a bit more this morning. Four cat turds we found. FOUR. It seems we have been building a giant litter tray for the local felines to enjoy. Parsnip (Sid's feline nemesis) was spotted slinking out of the garden late last night. He thinks we didn't see him, but he might as well have been carrying a roll of Andrex with a newspaper under his arm. Little git.

Sorry you will be missing your little kitty this Hallowe'en @Gribouille
💔 I hope your new pair continue her proud legacy. Sid loves all things Autumn. But, alas, he does have his own particular brand of hospitality for trick-or-treaters. And he now extends this message to Parsnip and his over-enthusiastic bowel..

Strength and courage brave friends. All shall be well.

The cats love a bit of shingle @REP22. The local cat and I seem to have come to an understanding since I threw all my coffee grounds onto the plant pots and spent two weeks scattering lemon rind everywhere. He hasn't been back. Will Sid patrol?

I spent so much money on alcohol and takeaways before too. Not only does giving up alcohol give you more money but it also gives you more time and more inclination so that if you're interested in beauty - you actually get a better routine, or the money you spend on your garden you'll appreciate. Sadly I don't have all the money locked up in stocks and shares, but that was never me.

As for this thread, I've had advice on makeup, books, tv shows, beauty, clothes, cat deterrents(!) you name it - having such an interesting bunch of women on here means I can chat away about anything on most days. Who needs the other boards?! But it makes me stay alcohol free at the same time as I know that this is what, ultimately, I came here for.

No need to be embarrassed @pinkclouds26. I've been there and have been where you are now. Keep going.

Ahhh. our work cafe offers coffee grounds @Lavrander - I might snag some to try. Sid would certainly patrol. However, this would consist of him sitting at the gate with a little cap and satchel, selling entry tickets. He'd have made at least £4 last night. x

Good afternoon. Well done @pinkclouds26 on day 15 and @Gribouille day 67. And everyone else, whether further along or still in those extra difficult early days.

Last evening we had a last minute invitation to go out with another couple. It was so, so lovely to go and listen to a live band and chat for hours in a pub. I was driving, so that made the decision easy for me. I enjoyed the evening so much. The others had some shots with coffee and something alcoholic, Guinness I think. Those smelt amazing and were the only temptation the whole evening.

I use face creams intermittently. I buy something, use it for a week or two, then forget or get bored. However, as an empty nester in a few weeks’ time, I’ve planned to look more after myself. I’ve registered and booked at the local leisure centre for a couple of classes this coming week.

We have an extra day off work. Hurray! Though @taylorean I hope things are looking better on the job search front for you.

Forgot to add, I entered a competition for a year of cider. Why, I don’t even like cider. I suppose I can donate it to a local school for their Christmas or summer fair.

@REP22 I laughed my socks off over the pumpkin!

My nieces and nephews have told me my favourite word was 'bastards' when they were kids and shouldn't have been listening!

My DD who's a posh boarding school girl swears like a Navvy. She does make me laugh though
I've had a long road with her over 8 years and I've been out and bought major pink stuff for her birthday tomorrow including a Connie cake. I'm blinking ecstatic.

Two orange juice with bits has been drunk. I love that stuff. I was too tight to buy it when I was a drinker.😀😁

Happy Birthday for tomorrow to your DD @WendyWagon - I'd love a Connie cake! OJ with bits is lovely - that with lemonade is so refreshing on a hot day. 🎂🎂

Had to crack out a jumper today for our Sidwalk!

My husband has been out with our guest spaniel, and they've come back soaked. I have ordered pizza as I cba to cook. I'm not sure how I'll manage to eat it unmolested, but where there's a will, I suppose😉

High chairs for adults, or a second-hand cage-fighting cage spring to mind... the spaniel could probably pick the lock though. Bon appetit!

Day 67, @postcard ? I wish! But I am on Day 42 which is a grand 6 Weeks, and I'm happy to be so! 😄 Glad you had a good sober night out - would be ironic if you won the cider! I wonder what they calculate a year's supply of cider to be...?

I fucking love a good swear, me... always happy to learn salty new words... I hope your DD enjoys her bastarding birthday, @WendyWagon ! 🎂🐛

The spaniel, at least, will be delighted to be wet @ShyMaryEllen ... though the pizza might smell a bit better than wet dog... I don't imagine Sid is a smelly boy because he's wipe-dry, @REP22 ?

Advice on skincare is wasted on me, I've been a greasy-face since I hit puberty, and menopause and decrepitude has done nothing to reverse those big old shiny pores, but at least I look younger than my little sister who always had dry skin...

Loving the colder, wetter weather. It is lush. 🌧️🥰

I will not drink today 🌴

I love this thread to.
Coffee grounds are really good for the garden, chuck it o the borders to help the soil retain moisture

Good morning.

@Gribouille I was anticipating 😊 you’ll get there too. I checked that cider competition. It’s 24 cans per month for a year. Now fingers crossed I don’t win it.

Morning all.

The plot thickens. I'm writing a huge list of all the furniture that must go to squeeze into the bijoux cottage. It's about half but as @ShyMaryEllen says you do realise you don't need so much as you get older. It's been in store or the garage for 7 years!

@Gribouille you are funny. My late mother who was seriously posh had a acid tongue especially behind the wheel. My lovely dad never swore, ditto the DH and DS. They both lecture me on 'using better words'. Hum.

I love autumn. I shall be very happy tomorrow when I can start packing up my linen clothes. They don't look nice when it's darker even though it's muggy.

@Gribouille try Kanzen. It's for congested skin. I bet you £10 it works. Boots now have it I believe.

I shall be blowing up balloons later and putting out the bunting whist the DD is out.
I got her a peach af can from marks cocktail range.
Lots to look forward to this week.

Morning Shipmates, and happy birthday to @WendyWagon 's DD!

A low-key bank holiday weekend for me as I've spent far too much money lately (on vintage jewellery). Nothing outrageously expensive by itself but it all adds up. I love finding something unloved and grimy, taking it home, getting all my polishing stuff out and transforming it into shiny sparkles.

Went to nearby market town on Saturday, got rained on - went to nearest large town yesterday, got rained on again. We're planning to get rained on at a a heritage railway today😄- will just be platform tickets to save money.

Coming up to my 2nd year AF anniversary. I had an oddly-sparked moment of temptation on Saturday evening - we were watching a film and one of the characters said 'this calls for some wine!" and I suddenly really wanted wine. It passed quickly enough.

Some hospital tests coming up. I really like it when they ask me if I drink alcohol and I can truthfully say 'no' rather than in the old days when I'd be calculating an amount I said I drank that sounded plausible but not excessive. Alas the doctor's notion of me as a clean-living person is quickly kiboshed when I have to admit to being a smoker!

Hoping everyone enjoys the bank holiday.

Morning!
Love the sound of the heritage railway @PhantomOfAllKnowledge.

Happy Birthday to your daughter @WendyWagon. Am very happy for you.

Watched the first practical magic film with some friends last night. We bought AF Margaritas for the occasion - they were nice and prevented any pangs.

Feeling a bit low today for no real reason. Probably hormones. Going to have a relaxing afternoon and just read. I know doing some exercise or getting outside would help but I just cannot be arsed.

Wow @PhantomOfAllKnowledge - nearly 2 years?! That’s amazing 👏👏👏

Today would be nine years for me, if I hadn't had a blip about 18 months ago. The blip led to several more, so I can't really ignore it and pretend they didn't happen. I could kick myself, but I know the only way is to look forward, not back, and keep putting one foot in front of the other.

I hope you get the house, @WendyWagon. It's a real picturebook cottage. You can wear floral dresses or tweeds and solve murders.

@ShyMaryEllen nine years is a fantastic result.x

Well, it would be if I hadn't lapsed after seven and a half 😀. I always remember, as my 'last drink' was on August BH 2017, so although I stopped counting ages ago I can easily work it out, and remember when it comes round. I honestly thought I'd never drink again, and wish I hadn't, but it just shows that we are never immune.

I will not drink today 🌺

Good morning all.

I had a funny turn health wise last night but I seem ok this morning.

Cottage viewing today with the DH then making your mind up time.

Hope the birthday was fun, @WendyWagon , and good luck today! I wonder if, like me, you get a little hyped up before a busy day and that affects your health? I'm finding, with AI stuff, that I have to treat myself like a fucking princess these days, and it was about time too... 😄👸 Lots of pacing and rests... And thanks for the steer on Kanzen, doesn't look too spenny either, will look out for it...

@PhantomOfAllKnowledge , I always think it's so lazy when alcohol is used as a beat in a film or TV prog or book! 'How do we convey a time of tension, or relief, or personal problems in a sensitive and complex way? Aww, fuck it, let's just have them swill some alcohol, bosh, that'll do..'.

LOVE the start of a month, and September most of all because it is the 'new term'! All the exciting possibilities, in my favourite season, and here on Day 44 with shiny eyes and good sleep and calmer mood under my belt rather than sickness, despair and the same old groggy promises... 🤩

Mind you, I predict DH will soon be slipping from his place beside me on the wagon... he has already started recasting it as 'my Dry August', is snappy and dismissive when I extol the benefits, and besides, he always becomes an irritable bog monster at the start of the new academic year... But this time, I am strong and steady enough not to put up with any brattishness. 💪

A pinch and a punch, you fabulous bunch! On! On! Into September! 🍂🤗

I love the new fresh feeling of September too, feeling much more positive and my sleep and energy are improving every day. Day 17 here and my longest streak this year!

Well the DH liked the cottage. It has a boarded loft with a ladder. Result for out of season clothes & Christmas decorations.
He even went up to the elevated garden.

Now the fun begins. Are we going to be told they all want it?

Evening all and happy first of the month and new term!
Good on you @Gribouille- let your DH find his own way. I do wonder whether men are less likely to seek the support of others when they want to do something and therefore it's less 'sticky' for them. And if he's anything like my DH it will have to be three work colleagues and his mother extolling the benefits before he becomes interested in sticking with anything. Fabulous work on day 44 and those sparkling eyes!

@ShyMaryEllenyou are right in that I think I'm in the clear clear until I'm not. I can definitely see myself throwing care to the wind one day if I'm not careful. Especially as when I first stopped I could really bring back the feeling that I didn't want to feel, but now I can't. It's harder to rustle up the emotions and horribleness that made me never want to drink again. Anyway.. something I'm pondering.

I shall avidly wait for updates on the cottage @WendyWagon. You may need to spread around a haunting or some such.

Well done @pinkclouds26- I'm really pleased you're still feeling the benefits.

Hope everyone else is doing alright. Even if you're not feeling brilliant right now, the benefits will come and build over time. Keep going x