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

That’s good @Conteffi, I’m glad you feel rested, you are in the right place for as much support as you need here! 😊

@GunnelVallquist you are managing sober days - 3 out of 7 is great - you will get there.

@TickleMeElmo1 dh going away was such a trigger for me (not that I didn't drink when he was here - I did) there was such freedom to drinking exactly what I wanted when I wanted - meaning I passed out early and risked falling down the stairs. He still travels a bit for work so managing those times this year felt like a real achievement for me. now me and the dog go to bed early and watch shows like Rivals.

I also am fascinated by sober celebrities. Jamie Curtis's drinking felt like how I drank - alone on a sofa, removing myself from my nice life. Liam Neeson is another one who felt he was losing himself in wine. I heard Tom Holland describe his sobriety recently. Basically he did dry january and was shocked at how hard he found it so thought maybe I have a problem here.

Wendy, I hope your house sale goes better. It is such a stressful thing.

Love this photo of Sid, so cute 💕

Thank you @anewyearthisyear .

There have been some weeks I managed more than the three days (only started doing the app in November).

I also did Dry January and that was the longest period off the booze since last year, where I managed three months over the summer. That was when my depression was at its worst and my husband took extended leave to be with me.

I read about Tom Holland being teetotal last year. I think his generation are definitely more alcohol aware.

I haven’t heard from my sister, which has really upset me.

I thought things were improving between us (we emailed back and forth since the beginning of the year).

She unfortunately took my parents’ side during the fall out and I have not seen her in eleven years either. Despite desperately trying to have contact ever since.

Had a bit of a cry earlier on and really didn’t want to do anything, but the weather is lovely und sunny and my husband is taking me out.

I just want today to be over.

Sorry, that was very self-pitying.

Just a thought for those finding it hard.

'Wine is just rotting vegetation in water!'

Think manky cucumber and slimy beansprouts.

It's not self-pitying @GunnelVallquist - birthdays (and Christmas) can be challenging for lots of us. Have a wonderful time with your husband. x

Thank you so much @REP22 .

What are you and Sid up to?

I'm working today, lucky me. Sid is at home, waiting for the Vengabus. Going out for a meal tonight and then Traitors x

Vengabus 😁.

Looking forward to The Traitors tonight.

Enjoy your meal out. x

Happy Birthday REP xx

I used to really dislike my birthdays. I think it was the whole low self esteem thing. I now just treat them as me days - I decide what I want to do and don’t give in to pressure as to what I “should” be doing. And if the answer is “nothing” then nothing it is!

I’ll often do things I do anyway, but if I enjoy them I’ll do them (like going for a run or eating my favourite bun), rather than put pressure on myself to do something “special”. Looking forward to a booze free one this year!

Congratulations to the birthday girls.

Lovely Sidpic, @REP22. I love his enthusiastic face😀.

Happy birthday @REP22 & @GunnelVallquist.

Thank you for that clip @anewyearthisyear. Hearing others speaks about sobriety so positively really does help.

I slept so well last night and woke this morning before my alarm feeling cosy and clear headed. There really is no feeling like it. Even waking after a sober night, my brain usually jumps to 'did I drink last night? No? Phew!' but this morning I didn't question it. It was a nice feeling.

I will not drink today

Morning shipmates.

Another reasonable sleep.
I was watching Downtown on ITV3.
I think because I'm feeling better but not working I'm not tired at 10pm.

Still no exchange.

Morning.

Cosy and clear headed is a great feeling @CrazyCatMam.

Nothing to report, one foot in front of the other here.

Good morning Shipmates, thank you again for the kind and lovely birthday wishes. You're all wonderful. ❤️

Storm Austen is kicking in a bit here. There was mutiny in the air when I told Sid to disembark from the Sidmobile.

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

I will not drink today

Good morning chums.

A really tricky day yesterday with more house shenanigans. I think the buyer is looking to pull out and is creating a smoke screen.

A quite weekend for us and I'm glad of it. A bit nippy here.

I had a dream last night in which I drank!! I actually said to myself (in my dream) that I will still mark it as a dry day in my app as didn’t want to ruin my streak - but I felt guilty!! I woke up a little panicked and then realised it was all a dream 😅

have a good weekend everyone.

Good morning shipmates.

Sorry it was tricky yesterday @WendyWagon - you carry the hopes of us for less-troubled negotiations on the property ahead.

I sometimes have drinking dreams @TickleMeElmo1 - they range from mildly amusing to utterly chilling. I think it's a fairly common theme. A few threads back there was some discussion, I recall. Virtually everyone who commented had had experience of drink-dreams! It's a blessed relief to wake up from them.

Sid and I have engaged in domestic chores this morning. Now we are M's while she is off at a church thing. Utilising the fancy CD player that was my DDad's to play the soundtrack CD from Harry Potter and the Cursed Child that I bought at the theatre last month. Dear God - it's powerful stuff and takes me right back. Music can do that to me. I'm off to see the revised single part version early next year.

Strength and courage brave shipmates. It is going to be alright. Sid is sending especial love to anyone who is finding it a struggle today. You are amazing. You can do it. We believe in you. x

I've stayed in bed today after a murderous week. I'm just listening to the storm outside. It's warm under the covers, though the air has a little chill...

I bought some snacks, Covent Garden soup and bread rolls last night for my children and me to have while watching The Traitors. It came to £20, admittedly a cheap Friday night nowadays. I felt a bit stung looking at the basket of not-very-much-at-all, but in the old days there would have been a bottle of wine in there and £30 would have seemed fine.

It would have been a shared bottle - but the EXPENSE!

@taylorean I would have had two in there, one for Sunday- probably started on Saturday!

I just had a Gordon's af and fever tree rhubarb tonic. Lovely.
My DIL to be (I see a Christmas announcement) has a rhubarb patch at her mother's. I'm waiting for my cutting.

Curry tonight and the DH will finish the crumble.

@REP22 good to know about others having weird drinking dreams too. This was my first one. I’m the same with music, it’s amazing! GoT soundtracks is one that really moves me. I also still play cds! It just sounds better to me ( despite having a really good Bose Bluetooth speaker that I use for Spotify) there is just something about putting an actual cd on and letting it play through

@WendyWagon I hope this week brings some positive news

We had the Asda bistro meal deal today- lasagna with chips and lemon cheesecake. DH will have the starter tomorrow ( king prawns) It’s actually a really good deal £12 for 4 courses and some yummy food to choose from. I had a San Pellegrino as my drink.