The Continuing Support Thread for Anyone Trying to Lead an Alcohol-Free Life Summer into Autumn 2026

[REP22]

Hello and welcome. I’m glad you’ve found your way here. We are a bunch of people who are trying to give up and keep off alcohol. No judgement, just honest support and kindness.
The original thread was started by @drybird2020 in 2020 and we have plenty of veterans and newer members who can offer advice, solidarity and signposting. You are welcome here, whether you post several times a day, once or twice and then never again, or if you only just come to read but have no intention of ever posting.

Whatever your stage on the AF journey, and whatever you’re going through, someone here will have gone through it too. We love to celebrate your successes of whatever shape and size - and will support you when things get challenging. We get it, we've been there too. You're here because you are strong and want to pull free. However ashamed and wretched you are feeling right now, as you read this sentence, I can absolutely guarantee that someone here has felt exactly as you do now and knows what you are enduring. It can change. You are not shameful. You are strong and you CAN do this.

All we ask is that you’re genuinely trying to abstain. We don't encourage moderation-only here, as it can be triggering for some to read. If you’re looking to moderate your drinking rather than quitting it altogether then MN has another long-running and very active moderation/abstaining thread that’s always near the top on the alcohol support board. Lots of fine support there from those worthy people too. Keep trying. Sobriety may not be easy - but I guarantee you that it is worth it.

I started trying to give up drink in 2018, succeeded (mostly) in 2019 but had a few “wobbles”, one of which led me here in April 2023. I still struggle sometimes but the posters on this thread have been an absolute godsend of wisdom, support and encouragement, along with my dog - known here as Sid (not his real name), and they keep me going. I hope you find strength and comfort here too. This thread and its wonderful posters has been a lifesaver to many, and have certainly seen me through many good and not-so-good days.

These books were particularly helpful to me and I still go back to them from time to time: The Sober Diaries by Clare Pooley (Amazon - Sober Diaries) and The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray (Amazon - Unexpected Joy). Others have found This Naked Mind by Annie Grace (Amazon - This Naked Mind) helpful. There are Apps that help track your AF journey, including Reframe and the ones I use, I Am Sober and TryDry. Podcasts can also be helpful. I have found One for the Road by Sober Dave to be a good listen. But different things work for different people. Feel free to post and ask. There is solidarity, wisdom and support here. This is a safe space where your voice will be heard, understood and valued.

Evenings are drawing in, the season of hot chocolate approaches. Power up with your favourite anthem (The ever-fabulous Dolly is reminding us "Better Get To Livin'"; and the Wilson Phillips girls "Hold On" in hot pursuit) and find your safe space here. Pull up a chair, and make yourself at home. It's going to be alright. x

Hello Shipmates,

Hector-dog is gorgeous @needastrongone - Sid would love him! (Arthur as well, I'm sure).

Sorry for radio-silence lads. I have been in a fair few bits looking after Sid. Heard this morning that the recent lump removed from him was thankfully benign and the prognosis is good. But The Cone of Shame has had to go back on - he is an inveterate fiddler with himself - he lasted about 2 hours and then steps had to be taken. All his treatment over the past couple of months will not see too much change out of £2000 and I'm damned if I'm going to let him unpick £992-worth of it in a few seconds of gleeful, ecstatic scrattin'. And, to compound it all yesterday, a load of tourists suddenly stopped their walk and started pointing and taking photos of him. He was not amused. Usually he is happy to pose for snaps; but not yesterday. Gah. Blinkin' paparazzi...

But I protest too much. His outlook is positive - and I will not drink with you today. Thus we have much to smile about.

Strength and courage brave friends. It will be alright. xx

Well I've been out lads and ordered three new pairs of glasses. Tortishell, red and pink .
Apparently I should be wearing them all the time (Shades of Mr Magoo).

Delighted to hear the bungalow has sold so I won't be guilt tripped into that!
Just waiting on our sale before I offer on the 'pink garden cottage'.

Hello all

I have fallen off the wagon

After a conversation with my mother

I won’t bore you with the details but suffice it to say I won’t be going home in two weeks’ time.

I honestly don’t know which is worse…my parents pretemding they want to mend bridges or me falling for it

Maybe things would be easier if my husband’s family wasn’t equally toxic (his reason fir joining the Military st a young age, to get away).

Or if we had children ourselves. That is my biggest regret in life (well, that and trying yo fix things with my parents when its obvious it isn’t going to f/ing work!)

My mother truly hates me.

Thevl way she spoke to me todsy leaves no doubt.

And she is the reason I never wanted children

Ah well, its all too late now anyway

Big squshy hugs Sid ❤️

Hi everyone. I’m back here for some support.
40 year old, perimenopausal, full time working mum, anxiety ridden grey area drinker. I gave up last year for 4 months. Then it slowly crept back. I’m fed up of the hangovers and the blackouts (when I drink far too much) I’m fed up
of it taking away my confidence and I hate drunk me. Xx

Ladies one foot in front of the other.x

@WendyWagon is right. Carry on carrying on. Blips happen to the best of us (although we don’t discuss them here in any detail), but all we can do is accept it and start again the next day.

If they are occasional ones they probably won’t do much damage, but if they are most weekends it’s probably a good idea to talk to the GP.

@TiA303091, welcome aboard. We are all doing our best here, although sometimes the waters get choppy. This is a good time to join us, as you have a while to get your sober muscles ready for Christmas. Have you met Sid? He’s our lovely mascot/cabin boy, and he keeps us in check with his soulful eyes.

My boy (still miss him)

I was a mess and in tears when my husband came home.

He didn’t reprimand or lecture me…instead we watched Slow Horses.

I have loved Gary Oldman ever since seeing him in Bram Stoker’s Dracula back in the day (and yes, I know he’s beyond gross in Slow Horses).

I was lucky enough to meet him in York last year after watching him perform ‘Krapp’s Last Tape’ on stage.

Evening and welcome @TiA303091. Lots of support here.

Get well soon Sid. I was so pleased to read he's on the mend @REP22- that must have been such a worry. Good to see he's still going to be tending to the cannons. We can let them get a bit dusty for now. He won't be much use with that cone - although it may be good for storing chops?

Tomorrow is a new day x

Another one

Hello

😭

Morning.

Hello @TiA303091 - I’m new too.

Poor Sid, who of us would like the cone of shame? Luckily Hector-Dog is a sensible soul and rarely has to suffer the indignity of one, but our other spaniel (Stupid Spaniel) was all too acquainted, mainly due to his own actions rather than poor Sid (no fault of his own).

@WendyWagon - Good luck on the sale and the offer on your Pink Palace!

@GunnelVallquist - today is a new day. We can only move forward. Hopefully the blip will strengthen you and you can move forward from the family situation if able. Love the photos of your Spaniel.

So today is our last day. I’m feeling wholesome after All Creatures Great and Small returned to our screens last night. We are having a quiet day. I can’t believe the lack of mess that no dog or DC means! Hot chocolate on the sofa again tonight.

Morning all.

Welcome back @TiA303091

I am in awe of your marathon times @needastrongone !!

I would have loved to see Gary Oldman in Krapp’s Last Tape @GunnelVallquist . I saw John Hurt as Krapp years ago - amazing. Love a bit of Beckett, me: “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” Keep going ❤️

Morning all.

Feeling very ill.

So angry with myself.

Back to square one.

I will not drink today

Thank you @needastrongone .

Did you have a nice time?

That’s a great quote @Onewildandpreciouslife .

Morning all.

You know God* loves a trier.
Every day that the liver is not trying to pump out the Devils piddle the better.

• Other beliefs or none are valid.

And I know everyone on Mumsnet hates Live Laugh Love but it is a good strategy.

Live for today. Tomorrow is in the past.
Laugh, it's the best medicine.
Love is for sharing and is perhaps the meaning of life?

I'm looking after the DD who's poorly. eBay shopping too😀 I measured myself for the first time in about twenty years.

Good morning Shipmates, sending love from the train - off to London to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (both parts). M is looking after Sid.

Some really good news - the lab results are back; Sid's lump was benign and they got enough margin around it to hopefully prevent a return. The vet will see him again tomorrow and hopefully after that the Cone is off for good. Thank you for all your good wishes.

The Lesser Spotted Brother is turning up tomorrow. That will be fun.

Keep going. You're here and you're wonderful. It's going to be alright. xx

I have finally had something to eat (some toast).

Still feeling rough.

One and a half bottles of wine I had. And while there have been times I’ve had way more in a single day I don’t think it helped that I started at lunchtime.

And had no lunch beforehand.

Stupid, stupid, stupid!

Hope your daughter gets better soon @WendyWagon 🌺

Oh and it’s not that I bought two bottles and only drank half of one…I bought one big bottle and two small ones.

Have fun @REP22 !

Hope Sid feels better soon xx

Day 34, feeling a bit better, just need to stick to one day at a time, I think I got in my head a bit and was thinking too much of the future. It really is a rollercoaster some days I am so certain and others I question everything.