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 @TwoNicePuppies , hope it goes well at the hospital and well done on 292 days!

Morning.

Good stuff, @GunnelVallquist - we can only keep trying.

Hi @TwoNicePuppies - one of the reasons I decided to go AF was my concern for my long term health. I’m lucky - I seem to have good health genes (DF just recently died at 94, DM still going strong and fully independent at 93, neither with any health concerns other than age) there are no hereditary risk factors. Why on earth was I chugging a bottle of red a night down my neck? Anyway, we can’t change the past, we can only make better choices for the future. And we are doing that.

I’m tired today after running long yesterday but going to drag my sorry ass into doing some weights and half an hour on the treadmill.

Have a lovely day folk.

@GunnelVallquist Sending you positive thoughts to stay strong!

Good morning Shipmates and the ruggedly gorgeous Mr. Tiggle. He's gorgeous @WendyWagon. x

Sid and I have decamped to Dartmoor for the week. M is also with us, so activity is muted but we did have an excellent walk yesterday.

I'm sorry to learn of your diagnosis @TwoNicePuppies - that's not great. There have been great strides forward in recent years, particular in the realm of breast cancer. M has had it (actually twice), the second time about 23 years ago. All power to you for your healing and recovery. 💖

Sending love to you from the land of the pixies. Strength and courage. xx

Evening all.

Thanks again for all the kind words.

Just had a huge plate of pesto pasta, followed by a rather large slice of M&S carrot cake.

With tea and sparkling water.

Feeling very tired now.

That sounds like a lovely dinner @GunnelVallquist - especially the carrot cake 😍

I had crusty bread with sliced beef and Payson Breton cream cheese, with a bit of Branston small-chunk, followed by Yeo Valley honey yoghurt on some Bran Flakes. I'm drinking 7-Up Zero Pink which is on offer 3 x for £3 on Tesco Clubcard.

Maybe we should make this a daily thing…reporting what we had for dinner 😁.

I love a bit of food inspiration. Me and meal planning is like Katy in 'What Katy Did' when she first becomes housekeeper "I can't imagine where all the things to eat have gone!"😆

Never read that but it sounds funny!

I love the What Katy Did books.

I'm still doing ok. Had a fight with my daughter last night (she is an adult and it was about my reaction to a new outfit so nothing major but she was MAD) and I was so glad that I wasn't 2 glasses in when it erupted - I gave her the wrong reaction stone cold sober with no excuses :)

I was looking at the How Long Would It Take You To Drink Half A Bottle of White Wine thread. Answering honestly could have been 15 minutes in certain circumstances.

Hi All,

Haven't read back yet but plan to tonight, hope everyone is well.

Made day 50.

Just had to comment as I was reading the half bottle of wine thread, it reminds me of the competitive undereating threads and the famous mumsnet chicken...

We had steak fajitas tonight. Thought it my duty to report on my evening meal.

And @REP22 i had a beautiful 10 mile walk on Dartmoor today. Glorious weather. If I'd known Sid was in the vicinity I'd have been on high alert!

I'm sorry to read of the trials of others up thread. What always strikes me is the warmth, positivity and strength of spirit shown by all to all. 130 days here. Your collective wisdom has helped so much xx

Morning all

I made the best apple crumble yesterday - had black treacle in it and chopped hazelnuts and oats in the topping.

Sorry for your loss @ShyMaryEllenand hope you feel a bit more centred after a clear out.

When my mum had breast cancer the doctor was fully supportive of her continuing to drink - he actually said 'if it makes you feel better' - imagine if they said to someone with lung cancer - carry on smoking! It's odd that even though it's known carcinogen it's sort of hushed up. Makes me quite angry if I think on it too long.

I will not drink with you today.

Morning all. Up early again due to cottage dreaming. I've placed all my furniture in my mind. I just need to push through my sale.
I've only loved one other house in my 17 moves. The DH will see the cottage later this week but got excited as it has an extra freezer which I had forgotten about. He loves his yellow labels.

I had lamb chops yesterday with rice and peas (out of a packet). DD is dieting again as she's seeking to get a boyfriend. She had the same one for years. Fruit kebabs and cheese for her. Hopefully she won't take it too far.

I love the autumn particularly as summer took its toll on my plants. I'm mainly in pots so I've done a few hydrangea cuttings inspired by Instagram.
They're blinking expensive so hopefully free plants.
More eBay for me today.
I was working out how many years I didn't work outside of mat leave. It was only two after the crash. No wonder I'm knackered!

Keep up the good work shipmates. We'll get there.

• Half a bottle of wine? 15 minutes starter for six!

I will not drink today

Morning everyone,

Today is my two year sober anniversary 🎉. So happy with my decision and hope I can make it through another year. For anyone new, it does get easier, to the point that most days I don’t think about alcohol at all and when I do it’s not for the taste but rather because of an emotional trigger such as sadness or stress. I drink an awful lot of tea now, mostly decaf, around 10 mugs a day! I’m having lots of elderly parent issues and am making daily hospital visits so life is very full on at the minute. 🙈

oh and good luck with the cottage, Wendy 🏡❤️

Well done and congratulations 🎉 @CarrotSeeds

Two years is fantastic.

Good morning shipmates,

Hearty congratulations on 50 days @pinkclouds26 and two years @CarrotSeeds ✨✨ - fantastic; what inspiring achievements!

Glad you enjoyed your walk yesterday @MagicalCrocodile - Dartmoor is such a special place. Sid has managed to hurt his paw, so won't be bothering the pixies today. He is now cone-free, happily, so is quite buoyant. You can see him below, giving himself a "Dartmoor massage"...

Glad you are still with us @GunnelVallquist. M, Sid and I had a pub lunch yesterday, so my tea was a cucumber and cheese sandwich, made with a home-grown baby cucumber that I won at Slimming World last week, enjoyed while watching Marble Hall Murders on the big holiday telly. Happy days.

Sorry about your spat with your DD @anewyearthisyear but glad you are still doing OK. Magnificent. I never really read the What Katy Did books. I liked the Famous Five. I always wanted to be George. Sid is my Timmy - though I'd have a right job prizing him away from a friendly farmhouse bounty-laden table in order to follow wrong-'uns down a secret tunnel. He'd be happier sitting with Anne doing some dusting, table-laying and doll-management.

I'd give myself ten minutes to polish off half a bottle of wine probably, back in the day. But then I would not have bothered with wine. Anything less than 25% would have been wasted money for me. 😟 On a more positive note, there was cider in our holiday "welcome pack" and it has not triggered me at all.

Strength and courage. All you have to do is just not drink tonight. That's all. It will be alright. xx

I saw that thread and read through the first couple of pages.

About 15 minutes for me too when really upset @anewyearthisyear .

Hope you and your daughter have made up. ☺️

The mumsnet chicken that can feed a family for two weeks? 😁

Congrats on 50 days @pinkclouds26 . 👏

Last time I managed that was over a year ago (and it feels a lifetime away).

Congratulations @MagicalCrocodile

You’re right, people really are so lovely on here 💕

That is a bit shocking about your mum @Lavrander .

Your apple crumble sounds lovely.

Congratulations @CarrotSeeds ! Two years is amazing!

I can't have nuts in a crumble due to the DD. DH & I have jars of the lovelies. They're my go to if I'm feeling nibbly.

However I do make a chicken last two days, roast then risotto.

If we go to the beautiful thatch I'll have so much more kitchen space.

The one I never get on MN is the loo brush etiquette.