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.

I have just had a beaker of blue top and it was gorgeous 🤩

Evening all.
They should employ you for a new got milk campaign Wendy.

Always one day at a time @Booksandstuff. Sounds like you have some great support to tap into. Being aware of how much time you wasted hungover is useful but berating yourself for it isn't! Turn that into thinking of all the possibilities with the time that you have back. The focus you'll have for your presentation. Be aware that sleep is going to be a bit iffy so a good evening routine (I love what @ShyMaryEllendescribed) is a must.

Honestly @TickleMeElmo1I was in your position reading the six month, 9 month and one year posts and was absolutely in awe - what trials they must have gone through to make it to one whole year! And now I'm almost there I think it is a mere cakewalk compared to earlier days. If I failed now it would be down to just forgetting how important being AF is to me and having a real fuck it moment.

In the early days it felt like a constant nagging - a constant all relentless nagging of should I, I shouldn't, what will they think, what shall I do, what shall I say, was it that bad; add your own.

Now I just occasionally have an interesting pang, or have a worry over holidays, or a big gathering. But it's a worry, not an all relentless heavy weight of a nag around your neck. Just keep it at bay and it will eventually turn into the tiniest feather that floats around your body as you walk. It will always be there and very occasionally it will give you an enormous sneezing fit or itch your ears, but it is of course, only a feather!

Thank you @Lavrander 🥰 you’re an inspiration .

@WendyWagon I must admit, I wondered what the blue top drink was and planned on googling it until I saw the Got Milk comment 😂

those who mentioned meditations there is an app called Insight Timer that has really good range of meditations, talks, breathing exercises and you can set small targets to get started. I haven’t used it in a while so have just redownloaded to check it out and did a short 10 minute meditation about stopping alcohol. Was really lovely and I’ll send a pic if anyone wants to try. I don’t have the paid version and still plenty there and I love the sleep meditations too.

Morning all.
I'm off out to see a friend for breakfast.
She can be tricky.
The beauty of breakfast is you don't get caught by the ' just the one' of lunchtime.

Hello shipmates,

Sid and I had a quiet weekend. Still bimbling on. Welcome @Booksandstuff - I'm really glad you've found us.

The best milk-type advert for me was the Cravendale "Cats with Thumbs" one - . I won't show it to Sid; he already shudders at the appearance of Parsnip his feline nemesis.

Strength and courage. It will be alright. xx

@Adsy1988 - I love the idea of an extreme day trip. I say go for it! I once did Dartmoor and back in one day (4 hour drive from me); did me the world of good. My DB used to do them quite frequently when he was a student. He'd phone and say "I'm ringing from Calais". Him and his friends would just decide that morning, took a toothbrush each and set off. He had some wonderful times.

I'm a spur of the moment type of person. I decided the day before the final day that I would go up to London and queue up to see the late Queen's coffin in state. I've also done a last-minute jaunt to London to audition for Mastermind, complete last minute stuff (I passed it!). If the temptation seizes you and you can do it, then go and make those memories. 😊 x

Hi all. My daily check in. Anxiety has eased today. Busy day with work so that helps. I have a couple of work events over the next two evenings but won’t be tempted by drinking because of the big old work presentation on Friday.
Energy levels are low though and sleep has been a bit wonky. Going for a park walk later with a friend to hopefully clear my head before bedtime.
Already feel like this forum will be a really good force of accountability for me. Thanks everyone for being so welcoming. Hope you all have calm evenings ahead.

In the early days @Booksandstuff what helped me was just indulging in other areas, cake, icecream, chocolate bar. The truth is that alcohol is so calorific that they didn’t count and weight just fell off me.
So keep logging in, walk with a friend sounds perfect x

I’m playing freezer bingo trying to eat some of it down before we go on holiday.
Salmon, pork belly bites and chips is the random meal of the day. Haven’t been shopping so it might be pickled onions or sauerkraut on the side!

Salmon, chips and sauerkraut sounds nice actually @FiloPasty. Maybe pork belly bites and pickled onions as a starter?

Would it be too outting to tell us what your specialist subject would be @REP22? Mine would be the Harry Potter books. Or I would try and pick something quite niche like the life of John Ruskin.

Yes go for it @Adsy1988. How exciting! I've never done a long way there and back in a day as I hate being tired and rushed, however I do sometimes do a detour when I'm travelling somewhere on my own and I see a brown sign / landmark. I'm a sucker for a castle.

Harry Potter was one of my choices @Lavrander (you have to pick four options)! I think they've banned it from the non-celeb version because everyone was picking it, hehe! My other ones were RMS Titanic, Anne Boleyn and Marie Antoinette. I ended up not doing any of those though - others had picked them within the previous two years, which is apparently also vetoed.

It would be a bit outing to say what I did for my specialist subject - I'm not sure if it's still wafting in the ether, but "my" episode was used for testing the BBC's emergency warning broadcast in that year and someone sent me a link to the Youtube clip. Particularly chilling to think that, had it been for real, the last thing anyone would've seen on TV before the "Alert - Seek Shelter" message and the sirens was my ugly fizzog. 'Twas John Humphries on the questions, and the black chair is surprisingly comfortable. Sometimes I think about applying again. But I don't think "Sid's movements" would be an acceptable subject either. 😉x

I've been freezer-diving this evening too @FiloPasty - teriyaki salmon for me. None for Sid.

Morning all.
Up early as I was as hot as a piece of toast.
Ive no plumbing so it's not a meno thing. The DH had shut all the windows (I hate being sealed in). He's back to work today after ten days annual leave z😁
Bff here today and we're having salmon or prawns. Freezer fodder as we won't have a separate freezer at the flat. It might curb the DH and his yellow label obsession.
Family arguments over the period flat. The posh estate agent sent me the most beautiful cottage yesterday but no loo downstairs and they've opened up the stairs (not ideal for nice but dim Mr Tiggles). Fabulous kitchen though.

Good morning shipmates, I was finding the heat a bit oppressive yesterday @WendyWagon - since I've lived by myself I don't think I've ever slept with the bedroom window closed! The right new place is out there somewhere.

Barrel o'fun at SW last evening. Last week I helped an older gent new member to install the app on his phone. Took ages and it was... odd. Bursting into singing and trying to get me to join in, unusual conversation, but friendly. Last night he reappeared in very gaudy tropical shirt, sat by me and announced to the room that he was there to secure a girlfriend. Everyone knew who he meant. I was quick to depart at the end and some of the other ladies were giggling about it ("Leaving in a rush tonight REP22...? heehee..."). I may have to take Sid in with me next week. He likes going but gets a bit bored and "chatty" sometimes. Oh bottoms.

I'm struggling with sleep and odd dreams again at the moment. But sobriety is worth fighting for. I will stay true for Sid. Here he is, reminding us that sometimes the path is rocky and a bit difficult to traverse. Stick to it though - the way ahead gets smoother if we keep following the right path...

Strength and courage. xx

I love a good freezer clear out- that sound like a delicious meal @Adsy1988

@REP22 your escape made me giggle!! Definitely bring Sid, love that pic of him. He looks so serene

@Lavrander I‘m the same when travelling and often take myself out for a long walk to explore. I’m an early riser and leave DH sleeping and explore

Day off for me today so been cleaning and listening to more sober stories podcasts. Also braved stepping on the scale and since watching my food intake and despite my 2 overeating days last week I’m down 4.5lbs in 12 days. Really given be a boost to keep good going.

have a great day everyone

Hi all. Brief check in today. Day 4. Rushing out for a work event - I’m doing a bit of public speaking but actually the stress of that is a good distraction. Got my anxiety meds today and hopefully they kick in soon.
@REP22 Sid is a mighty fine dog.
well done @TickleMeElmo1 - maybe I’ll venture on to the scales after a week is complete.
Have lovely afternoons. It’s that sort of gross close heat where I am, windows defo open tonight.

Top result @TickleMeElmo1 - brilliant. I also had a positive result at SW this week; a decent loss. It's a bit up and down at the moment, but I will do my best to defend my loss. A good 'explore' walk is nice. Sometimes, especially when I was first trying to stay sober, I'd pick a parish I'd never been to in the area, look up a circular walk route online and head out with dog for a wander and a coffee/meal in the village pub or tea room. Might restart that with Sid, actually... we went to some lovely places and interesting sights. I sometimes used to scour the local rag for fodder in order to pick parishes that had contentious local parish council or infighting shenanigans going on, to see if we could spot any hornets buzzing about their business... 😉 We've seen wonderful little churchyards, met an amazing eccentric elderly gent who was selling jars of his and his wife's homemade chutneys (which were absolutely delicious) on a village green and some unforgettably hilarious "keep off my land"-type home-made signs on the public thoroughfare ("Gerry, you b~st~rd, I can SEE you from my turret!" being an especial highlight).

Thank you @Booksandstuff - that's very kind. Sid is very touched.

Day 4 is fantastic. A REAL achievement. Hope the speaking goes well. I'm sure you have got lots to say that is very much worth hearing. All the best. x

That sounds like a potty mouthed Margo @REP22. It made I laugh as we say here in Wiltshire.
Nothing on the new car. I know they've been delayed but this is getting ridiculous. It was like doing a Fosby Flop to get in the sports mini! The DH drives it like Michael Cane.

I've added to the success of the milk industry tonight. Two glasses down.

Another agent tempting me with a pretty cottage today but it's in the village where the infamous Mumsnet scary story was alleged to have happened. Not on your Nelly. Big bold Wendy is scared of the supernatural.

What's the infamous Mumsnet scary story Wendy? I love this kind of thing. I've had a thoroughly lovely summery few days. Just back from a neighbour's party and had a few glasses of Real non-alcoholic fizz , really recommend it.
Thanks for the recommendation of the meditation course @Lavrander my thoughts have been more centred .

Good morning Shipmates,

Was that the Savernake Forest thread @WendyWagon , @Lavrander ? If so, I don't blame you - that was terrifying.

Although perhaps that is a possible destination for Sid and I's reignited "random weekends". We may investigate and report back...

Hi everyone. My day five check in. I had the most brilliant call with a sober friend of a friend. Quickly scribbled some notes and have put them here in case they’re helpful for anyone else navigating this journey. Hopefully they make sense. She told me she is excited for me and I thought that was really powerful.

Being sober gives you power and control and time.

Create resilience for the decision - remember WHY you have chosen this. Never question this decision.

Name it “wine fiend”, “booze hound”, “spirit monster”. Name it for it is and name the voice in your head. The reality is not what you think it is. That glass of red wine with dinner? That G&T with friends? It isn’t just that - it’s feeling anxious, hungover, not being able to work, not being about to parent, not eating well, not exercising, not having a nice time with friends you can remember. Drinking isn’t worth it.
The time you get back is a gift and it’s joyful. Be proud you’ve made this decision.

Power to us all!

Afternoon all.
That sounds like a great call @Booksandstuff and your notes are very helpful.

I love that she said she was excited for you. It’s so true. You have so much to gain by getting sober

Afternoon shipmates and Sid.

I'm late today as I was tidying for the cleaners. They did an hour and bogged off!

@Teaforthetotal it is indeed the Savenake thread. Scares the bejesys out of me!

Another abode has been substantially reduced so I'm going to see it next week. Very ancient. Posh kitchen.

Another one for the list is acid in a glass. Wine thins teeth enamel,

Wonderful @Booksandstuff. Thank you for sharing. Never question the decision is so right. We didn't just on a whim decide not to drink. I'm excited for you too!

Watered down petrol.

Glad it's helping and thanks for the fizz recommendation @Teaforthetotal

Since we are on for bbq weekends I thought it would be remiss of me not to recommend the AF martini rosso with tonic. If you were a fan of aperol before its similar flavours.

@REP22a lovely idea about picking a parish. We've got plenty of those league of gentlemen type places around here.

Good morning all. Shockingly hot night here. I was mutinous. The DH was in serious trouble
The new cleaners downed tools and said my house was too big and they don't move 'stuff'.
I shall have to have the grumpy but brilliant Brazilian back.
Out to breakfast with my champagne socialist friend. A large inheritance changed her but I go hoping she's changed back to the kind thoughtful person she used to be. Eggs Royal I think. I love a cooked breakfast but it doesn't love me.

New estate agent this afternoon for possible joint agency.
I'm not seeing the cottage until Wednesday.