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

Good morning Shipmates.

I hate coming back after being away for a bit @Onewildandpreciouslife - I usually have to scale a work email inbox the scale of the North face of the Eiger.

I love a Victoria Plum @WendyWagon - hope the hound's snuffles mend well.

I will not drink today either @mermadeincornwall. Every single sober morning is a mighty victory and something to take pride in. ❤️

Sid is not speaking to me. The vet said that, although the ear is healing well and almost there, a small scab containing sutures remains. It should drop off within the next couple of days and, if all is well, the cone can come off then. The risk of opening the scar (if open it still may be in some small way under the scab) is hot worth the risk. Sid had a fistful of Sizzlers from the vet (and me) AND a special walk in the park afterwards. During which the only discernible words were "frankly" and "unacceptable". He has also hazarded "I shall not be swabbing the decks tonight."

He will.

Strength and courage brave friends. We shall endure. It will be alright. xx

oh dear Sid. Hope you're sleeping alright @REP22. Whenever Arthur has had a cone he likes to clatter up against the wall in the night. It's important that we're both sleep deprived you see.

What a lovely friend you have @Dibdibbob- clearly you're worth the effort.

I've had some cravings this week as the weather has turned. It's the fake memory of autumnal evenings rather than the reality. Have bought a posh candle instead.

I will not drink today

Good morning Shipmates,

I think Arthur and Sid would get on well @Lavrander; I sense kindred spirits. Sid is also a cone-clatterer and now master of "accidentally" hooking it on saplings and street furniture in an endeavour to pull it off. I am not deceived. That roll of Gorilla tape has paid for itself. Garage bill came in last night - £865. Still grim, but £200 less than expected, so very positive. Happy days.

What a wonderful friend you have @Dibdibbob and a lovely DH too. I know it is so very, very hard to cut through the negativity we heap on ourselves, but good support makes such a difference. ❤️

Strength and courage wonderful shipmates. It is going to be alright. xx

Good evening lovely people.

Thank you all for your kind words.

Tomorrow is October and I am determined to try again with a clean slate.

I hope Sid is doing ok @REP22 . 🌺

Morning all.
Welcome back @GunnelVallquist - you can do this.

I saw a lovely post in instagram yesterday- will try to post the photos below if the site lets me!

Good morning and happy October.🎃

I'm allowing myself a little bit of excitement on the house front.

Glad that Sid is improving @REP22 .

I've been Christmas shopping online. We don't do big presents but I do like to get them bought in good time. However I have never wrapped anything before Christmas Eve so that's a habit I wish to break!

Welcome back @GunnelVallquist you can do it.

I will not drink today

Thank you @Onewildandpreciouslife , I love this.

Thank you @WendyWagon .

How are things going with the move?

Pinch and a punch!

It's sober October. Let's keep going ladies x

Yes…day one done ✔️

Morning all.

I will not drink today

Morning all.

Huge dilemma. Favourite cottage of all time back on the market. I'm torn (not really) but I'm mighty peed off nobody told me.
Has everything including a beauty studio. The arse estate agent (him of your house needs gutting) hadn't put it on my requirement list. I couldn't sleep a wink.

The DD and I are viewing tomorrow.

Eyes down for a good Friday.

Friday's dog of the week.

Happy Friday, shipmates. I've got my tail between my legs just now. We've had a death in the family, and I'm afraid I didn't deal with it well. I really should know better, but today is a new day, and I am determined to make it the start of a new me. I've worked out that there are 84 days between now and Christmas, so by then a new habit will have been formed, and the holidays will be easier. This weekend I plan to have a huge wardrobe sort-out, and get the house made presentable. That always inspires me to do everything well. I find that if I lower my standards in one way, it's much more tempting to lower them in others, and the reverse is also true.

So, onwards and upwards. IWNDWYT.

Lovely dog, @WendyWagon. Is he yours?

@ShyMaryEllen tis my dog. Mr Tiggle. Absolute thief.
His non Mumsnet name is really outing so I use this moniker as we do for Sid.

Very interesting thread in AIBU re alcoholics. Not shouty yet but could get there later as it's Friday 😁

I am so sorry for your loss @ShyMaryEllen 🌺

He is beautiful @WendyWagon .

Ah yes I saw that thread. Interesting. Occasionally shouty but hadn't descended yet!
there was a really nice thread in S&B a couple of weeks ago where the OP wanted ideas of what to get for herself after doing 1000 days AF. That was a nice one to read but I've lost it now and don't know what she bought.
Mr Tiggles is very handsome.

👋🏻

Hello all.

Sorry to hear about your loss @ShyMaryEllen .

Live Mr Tiggles curls @WendyWagon

Thanks for steering the vessel @REP22

Hi to @Lavrander @Onewildandpreciouslife @pinkclouds26 @mermadeincornwall

And nice to meet all the others.

Much news here. All very outing so can't share 😢 but our very rough patch of the last year is getting a little smoother if through a lot of compromise, turning the other cheek and taking the high road in relation to those who have cause us real heartache and upset .

Put our house on the market (basically to test it and see - I really want to move into the big town. ) But it will mean giving up a lots of space and moving into a cramped town house -which isn't entirely without its own merits (less space to keep clean, forced decluttering, fear possesions). Have had some interest already and a couple of viewings with "proceed able" buyers.

Kids not keen (but also keen).
Going to see a few.opriins ourselves tomorrow. Might put me right off the idea when I am standing in a tiny little sitting room and having to face the reality of no garden (basically no garden) with 2 dogs

I saw your contributions to that thread @WendyWagon - very good and very calm and measured. I hope it helps direct anyone who needs it to this thread.

It was interesting to see how many people had a particular view of what is an alcoholic - an idea that probably wouldn't fit any of us posting here.

I will not drink today