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

I am, thank you @needastrongone .

Thanks @FiloPasty .

That’s what I’m focusing on now; just one day at a time. Not thinking too far ahead

I will not drink today

Hope you feel better soon @REP22 🌺

@GunnelVallquist well done on not buying the wine, so many of us here know how you feel but I promise it does get easier and it is so worth it. One day at a time is the right attitude. I found hot chocolate (and chocolate!) helpful at the start as your body will be craving sugar. I had a wobble yesterday as I was at a fancy work dinner and thought I might be able to moderate; but I resisted and I’m so pleased I did, I know there’ll be some hangovers today but I left when people started to get loud/repetitive so I feel fresh as a daisy! 🌼

Thank you @TwoNicePuppies and well done yourself for resisting when people around you were drinking.

I am definitely craving chocolate/ biscuits more at the moment, but I’m not going to deny myself anything for now.

Staying off the booze is the main goal just now.

Morning all.

I've just had a bit of fun with a recruiter.
He only places men in his job roles.
I applied for something and bingo even his bots are filtering out the women.
I've just given him a hand slap on LinkedIn. It tickled me. Sexist arse.

I'm off out for compost and to get my nails done. Big meeting tomorrow. I might go full babe and put my hair down.

• My current LinkedIn picture had some 'technical help' and I look like a very old Pamela Anderson!

Have sober day my dear shipmates.

Wow! Amazing @Teaforthetotal and @VanGoSunflowers. Well done!

Well done for walking away from the wine @GunnelVallquist. I'm sorry you're feeling like shit. It sounds like you're really trying to make a change. You've done this before, you can do it again. You're checking in here because you want to change. That alone is a massive step.

Deciding enough is enough, NO MORE ALCOHOL has been so much easier for me than just having a break from it. In the past, whenever I've tried to have a break from alcohol, in my head I'm counting down the days until I can drink again, justifying to myself that if I can make it to X days then I can have a drink. Then old habits would creep in and I'd be drinking more alcohol, for more days in a row, so I'd try to cut back for a few days, or a week, maybe a couple, but the end goal was always rewarding myself with alcohol. Round and round. Madness.

Now, I'm counting my sober days without the end goal of a drink at the end, because there is no end, and it feels far easier.

I can't believe how calm I feel, like I'm half asleep. The ball of anxiety in my chest has gone. I have a clear head for the first time in forever. I'm no longer snapping at my kids.

It's my day off today and the skies are blue, so I'm away to take my scruffy mutt on a walk.

Good morning shipmates,

Well done for not buying the wine @GunnelVallquist - that's a real victory. Keep going. One day at a time - one hour at a time if needs be. Win the small ones first.

Is that even legal @WendyWagon?! I'd be tempted to report his misogynistic arse to Trading Standards. You'll knock 'em down with your powerful armour on. Like a modern-day Boudicca in killer heels.

That's a great post @CrazyCatMam - you're absolutely of the same setup as me. I cannot moderate, I cannot "just" have a bit, so absolutely none at all is the way for me too. You're amazing.

A sad item on BBC news website today: Women's alcohol deaths are increasing - my daughter died alone after fighting for decades - BBC News. There are no winners with alcohol. None. Well, apart from the companies that profit from it.

He's at it again lads. What can it all mean...?

Strength and courage. xx

Well done @GunnelVallquist, not buying that wine is another brick of strength in your wall of resilience.

Bloody wind - driving me mad on my runs at the moment. It’s exhausting! I’m only low level grumbling though.

One foot in front of the other people, ‘‘tis all we can do x

Evening all.

Well, I’ve made it through another day. Not going to lie though; it was a challenge, more so than yesterday.

It’s my mother’s birthday today and I sent an email with good wishes…for my sins.

Terrible news coming out of Spain. My husband and I actually went to Toledo a few years ago. We stayed in Madrid and took the train to Toledo for a day trip. It’s so sad, all those poor people.

Have a good evening lovely people.

Hope you’re doing ok @pinkclouds26 (on the off chance you’re seeing this).

🌺

Gosh, that’s a sobering (pun intended) read @REP22 .

Love the photo of Sid. ❤️
He’d be no good as a traitor though, his face and eyes are much too honest. 😇

Hello all!
I seem to have well and truly started preparing for winter. Eating everything in sight. I darent step on the scales.
@GunnelVallquistbloody well done for making it through another day. Now you know you can do this and we're all here for you. I have Pom poms!
And to everyone else - @mermadeincornwall- you're doing so well and every time you post I nod and think - me too. Thank you. Well done @Teaforthetotal
and @VanGoSunflowers.

Welcome back @WhatMaggieDidNext. I, like you, suffer most with feeling like I'm a bore or letting people down. There is a great line in a tv show I watched recently where one of the main female characters when she's asked how she's feeling says 'Look, I'm a girl, I have to find out how everyone else is feeling before I can work out what I'm feeling'.. and I thought YES that's me!
All we can do though is practice putting ourselves first and over time we get better at it.

Must be something in the air @Lavrander I’ve been early non stop this week too… have to reign it in somehow!

Morning all.

So tired again.

Thanks @Lavrander . Pom poms 😁

Morning all.
Big meeting shortly. The nails are done.

Go get ‘em @WendyWagon !

Good luck @WendyWagon ! 🍀

All the best, @WendyWagon

That was meant to say eating, not early. Can’t edit for some reason.

You're going to smash it @WendyWagon!

Good morning shipmates,

REALLY rooting for you @WendyWagon - all power to you. ❤️

I won't mention pom poms to Sid @Lavrander - it will remind him of the certain popular gentlemen's operation, of which we do not speak... 😉 He's never fully forgiven me for that particular vet visit...

Strength and courage. It will be alright. x

Morning everyone. Well done making it through another day Gunnel.

I'm doing ok. Had a lot of drinking dreams last night. I also spent a bit of the night awake worrying - one of my children is looking for a job, another wants to change jobs, the dog is very very elderly and I have to go away for a week in november and am not sure how that will work. things always seem worse in the middle of the night. I had to remind myself that nothing would be made better by a bottle of wine.

onwards.

@anewyearthisyear nighttime anxiety really sucks. I used to get crippled with it sometimes, but once I realised it’s caused by my overtired brain going into overdrive, I was able to tell myself I just need to get some sleep and it will all be better in the morning. And it did!

Hugs 🫂

Hello all.

Sorry to hear about your worries @anewyearthisyear .

My anxiety has been absolutely horrendous today and I was ready to pop out and get myself some wine (a nice Sauvignon Blanc or maybe a Pinot Grigio…I so desperately wanted a glass of ice cold wine).

I didn’t though.

Hopefully tomorrow (or maybe even later on) I’ll be glad I didn’t.