The support thread for those trying to lead an alcohol free life - Summer 2026

[Lavrander]

Hello and welcome!
This thread is for anyone who is trying to live an alcohol-free life. It was first set up by @drybird and has grown into a safe, supportive space to share thoughts, ask advice, swap experiences, or simply check in as we give up and keep off the booze.
There’s no judgment here – just encouragement. Whether you post every day, once in a while, or just read along quietly, you’re part of the group. Many of us have found this thread invaluable, whether brand new to abstaining or years into AF life.
Wherever you are on the journey, someone here will have been there too. Don’t be shy about posting – we love celebrating successes of all shapes and sizes, and we’ll support you through the tougher times as well.
The only thing we ask is that your aim is complete abstinence. If your goal is moderation or a break, there are a couple of really good threads on this board that will be a better fit. That doesn't mean that slips don't happen, and we'll support you in picking yourself back up and carrying on.
So climb aboard and join the shipmates (as well as our dog mascot Sid!) and see how good alcohol free life can be.

Hi ladies, feel like we're starting to come it the other side of this heatwave. Heatwaves are another instance where it's helpful not drinking.Old me would have been quite dehydrated.
Welcome @VanGoSunflowers and a non-alcoholic cheers to your decision. Sounds like you're coming to it with lots of clarity and I think that will be really helpful. I loved reading everyone's reflections on the best thing about not drinking, they really resonated. For me the best thing is not having hangovers, mine were horrendous and a closely linked second is how I am now prioritising my health, physical and mental.

Morning all.
I had to go to bed early last night as I was knackered. I'd been weeding and I've nearly finished!
I was smothered in factor 50 due to the meds but a bit of sun got through.
I found my cherry tree under the wisteria so I'm pleased about that. I think I bought it a couple of years ago so I need to give it a proper pot.
I've spotted that a lot of plants at the Tudor cottage are in pots. I hope they're not going with the current couple. They're going into a home so perhaps not.
The DS is not happy about it. After poo pooing the flat he doesn't like the parking set up. He thinks it will be parking wars. We're going to buy the DD a allocated space. The DH and I will take our chances.
Nearly all my married life I've had extended family living with me on my dollar. I'd just like to choose a house I like and not to suit others.
One friend has already been sniffy. I miss my mum when people are bitchy. She had a tongue like a viper!

I'm off to buy indoor plant pots this morning. I ordered one of those house plant mixes for the 'staging'. Seems okay but I now need pots.

I've been mainlining juice.

05:38 @WendyWagon !!!

I thought I did well waking at 7am on a Sunday!

Hi everyone. Quick check in as I’ve been quiet but reading the posts. I’m two weeks dry and feeling great. Reckon I might just crack it this time.
Went to two gigs this week - enjoyed the music, danced, didn’t fret about going to the bar, woke up feeling good (well as good as you can in a heat wave) and am genuinely pumped about life!
Keep going gang. Also I have the Since I Quit app and those £££ are adding up!

Afternoon shipmates. Apologies for silence I’ve been offline for a couple of weeks. No major reason -just a couple of weekends away and getting stuck into my new job.
Still ticking off the days -217 currently. Can’t quite believe it but thinking about alcohol has just taken up less and less space in my brain. Something that seemed impossible back in November.
Will catch up on the thread now and hope everyone is having a restful Sunday.

Afternoon all.
Good to hear from you @Carpetburn- how is the new job going?
Glad you're feeling great @Booksandstuffand proving that you don't need the horrible stuff to have a good time . I have the TryDry app and it says I've saved £2680!
Have you put an offer in on the cottage @WendyWagon?

I was feeling a bit meh this morning. Hormones and period pains. My sister dragged me out for a walk along the river and I feel a bit better.

Evening all. Just checking in. Day 28 here, been MIA the last few days, just been so busy with life! But I am now in my happy place, a lovely overnight spa break. I’ve just been for a swim, a sauna and I’m back in the room to get myself ready for a lovely meal tonight.

Hope you’re all doing well x

Welcome @VanGoSunflowers . For me the best thing is not having to decide when and if I can have something. Does 1pm on a Sunday count as afternoon? Is it too early? What if I need to drive and pick up some food or give a DC a lift? Can I rely on DD’s friend’s mum always bringing them back as it’s too late for me and I’ve had a glass? I’ve had some embarrassing moments but I don’t dwell on them or remember them too well. It’s mainly the day to day of juggling that first drink and the lassitude that follows and procrastination.

I did some gardening this weekend. Still more to do, it’s such a disaster zone and I’m no good at it. I was thinking of planting some lavender. I think it’s supposed to be easy to grow and will look better than weeds. I like the idea of plants in pots @WendyWagon !

@Adsy1988 enjoy the spa!

Hi all. Long time MN lurker. I have known that I've had an alcohol problem for a very long time, but I drink infrequently so it has stopped me from addressing it properly before now. I am autistic and crave social connection. Drinking acts as a confidence booster and a social lubricant, but the problem is that I don't know when to stop. It has caused multiple problems at work, sabotaged friendships and relationships, and led to intense anxiety and regret. I didn't drink for 9 months because I was pregnant. I hoped that having a baby would change my relationship with alcohol, but unfortunately I'm still the same person. I got blackout drunk on a night out yesterday and put myself in a really unsafe situation. My husband sat me down and told me, in the most loving and supportive way, that this can never happen again.

I have found an AA meeting to attend tomorrow and I have also ordered a naltrexone starter pack. I am desperately hoping that this works because I haven't been able to successfully manage it by myself before. I love so many things about alcohol but I have realised that I cannot safely manage it. :(

Welcome @circe94 I’ve got adhd but strongly suspect I’m probably AuAdhd.
All the things you think you love about alcohol aren’t real it’s all such a facade and I promise that if you keep to the non drinking sober life you will feel so much better.
Download the Try Dry App it helped me so much just checking in each day. Keep posting here we are a great bunch :)

I just got my 40 weeks badge, that’s 9 months of sobriety which is actually longer than I’ve ever done, as even when pregnant I was still having the odd glass of wine, I’m sad to say.

Welcome @circe94 I’ve got adhd but strongly suspect I’m probably AuAdhd.
All the things you think you love about alcohol aren’t real it’s all such a facade and I promise that if you keep to the non drinking sober life you will feel so much better.
Download the Try Dry App it helped me so much just checking in each day. Keep posting here we are a great bunch :)

I just got my 40 weeks badge, that’s 9 months of sobriety which is actually longer than I’ve ever done, as even when pregnant I was still having the odd glass of wine, I’m sad to say.

Not sure why that posted twice

@Adsy1988 your break sounds wonderful, enjoy x

Welcome @circe94 - your husband sounds lovely. You must have had a rotten day today. Tomorrow will feel much, much better. Chin up - you're not alone here 💗

Morning all. Welcome @circe94

Welcome @circe94 , and well done for acknowledging you need help dealing with alcohol. @FiloPasty is spot on - everything we believe about alcohol is usually wrong, but we can only find that out by putting a big enough distance between us and alcohol so we can see it clearly

Your post reminded me a great quote from Laura Mckowen about dealing with alcohol issues, and the inherent contradictions

“Only you can do it.
You cannot do it alone.”

I’ll go and dig out the full quote because I haven’t posted it for a while

It is not your fault.
It is your responsibility.
It is unfair that this is your thing.
This is your thing.
This will never stop being your thing until you face it.
You cannot do it alone.
Only you can do it.
I love you.
I will never stop reminding you of these things.

Someone sent this (“9 things about addiction”) to Laura Mckowen as the list of things they wish someone had said to them when they were in the depths. Different parts have spoken to me at different stages

Welcome @circe94. @Onewildandpreciouslifeand @FiloPastyare right. How can you love so many things about alcohol when it's caused so much pain? It's like a bad boyfriend where once you put some space between you and it you'll realise it didn't make you happy at all!

I hope your AA meeting goes well. Another support to try (as well as here) is the Alcohol experiment by Annie Grace. It's free and 30 days.

One year no beer for me today! Bloody hell I cannot believe it.

Wow @Lavrander 1 year!! Many congratulations 👏👏👏 Just think of all those “firsts” you’ve ticked off.

Congratulations @Lavrander 🙌🏼 🥳❤️

@Lavrander an overall bookworm most definitely. I switch between genres all the time. Congratulations on 1 year sober! Do you (and others) find it’s easier to continue being sober the more days you have under your belt?
Yesterday was the first day in a while I woke up with some energy. I was so happy about it I nearly cried as I was dancing around the kitchen to music (much to the delight of my DS and Ddog!) I took them for a long walk in the Peak District yesterday and slept hard last night.
Day 11 for me, the real test will be Thursday evening when I see my friend. She doesn’t even drink when she comes over to mine! I have stocked up on my trip drinks in advance!

@Lavrander 1 year! That is epic :)

Good morning shipmates!

So glad the cooler weather is here - Sid is much happier.
Glad you have found us @VanGoSunflowers and @circe94 - you are very welcome here.

Congratulations on 1 year @Lavrander , that's epic! Brilliant.

Love that quote @Onewildandpreciouslife .

Strength and courage. It will be alright. xx

Massive congratulations @Lavrander, one year, what a wonderful achievement, I am so pleased for you.

I have had a wonderful day/night/morning at the spa. Been for a swim, a sauna, breakfast and I’m just getting ready to go for a back and shoulder massage before driving home. This has been exactly what I needed; the two week break from work that I have just used to relax and recharge my batteries. I don’t think I have ever got to the end of a holiday where I am ready to go back to work, and I feel fantastic for it. Normally I would have used time off work as an excuse to drink from 12pm onwards with zero judgement, I’m on holiday after all.

It will just be brilliant logging on tomorrow and getting stuck right in.

Hope you’re all doing well this Monday x

Amazing @Lavrander . Many congratulations

Thank you so much for the kind words everyone, and you're completely right. The things I 'loved' about drinking are the things that end up getting me into a total mess. The false confidence and lack of inhibition that makes people judge me, that makes me say and do things I deeply regret. The feeling of belonging when ironically it is actually an intensely isolating experience. I have spent so many years wondering why I can't just handle my drink like other people and I'm finally coming to the realisation that my brain chemistry just does not mix with it and I need to stop just hoping I can drink in moderation, otherwise I will lose everything.
@Lavrander 1 year is absolutely amazing, you are my inspiration right now!! ❤️