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.

Good morning shipmates.

@ColdFeetat60 - I was a devil for the chocolate milkshake when I was giving up the hard stuff. Sainsbury's TTD White Chocolate and Raspberry Ripple. Not great for the waistline but it got me through and definitely the lesser evil! Another very worthy read that has been helpful to many of us is the post on Clare Pooley's blog (MummyWasASecretDrinker on Blogspot) titled The Obstacle Course. For some reason MN will not permit the link to the blog post. I'll try this link to CP's FB link to it Here (fingers and declaws crossed). If the link doesn't appear, just Google "clare pooley blog bunnies" - it'll be the top several results. Always worth a re-read, at any stage in the journey.

Good luck in London @WendyWagon - stay safe in the heat.

Sid would like it known that he has endorsed a candidate for Clacton. Let us all register to vote there and get behind him.

Strength and courage. All shall be well. xx

@REP22 the link works so I'll definitely be reading Clare's blog. I'm enjoying the alcohol experiment and read each chapter over my early morning tea, but they are short. I could certainly benefit from more reading. Thanks for passing on the tip.

Brilliant, I'm glad the link worked @ColdFeetat60 😊 I found Clare's book "The Sober Diaries" really helpful when I was going through it at the beginning. Also "The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober" by Catherine Gray. Occasionally I dig them out for a re-read! x

Hi everyone, I’ve woken up with another hangover and I refuse to waste my summer away feeling this way.
Can I please join? I know this is going to be tough

Welcome, @Dreamcakes.

If you are new to abstinence, please get yourself some Thiamine (Vit B1)? It can help to stave of possible brain damage that can happen when people stop drinking after a long period. Take high doses for 6 weeks or so at least. You can't overdose, as you excrete any excess in luminous wee (don't let the luminosity alarm you - it's perfectly normal).

Things may be tough, depending on your history, but honestly, most of us find it's not as bad as we might have thought, when we've made the mental switch from drinker to non-drinker. That's the hard bit. You have to let go of any idea of yourself as a moderate or occasional drinker, and reframe your life in the light of the fact that you will never drink again. That might seem impossible, but it's easier if you think of it in terms of giving up one thing (booze) so that you can have everything else.

Is it safe for you to go cold turkey? Most of us on here have, I think, but if you've had a long period of high intake you could get withdrawal symptoms, so be aware of that, and consider tapering down more slowly.

Cautions over - come on deck, it's good to have you on board 😀.

Thank you @ShyMaryEllen for such a lovely welcome. I will pop out tomorrow and get some VitB1.

I wanted to try and moderate my drinking but unfortunately I just don't think that's as option as once I open a bottle of wine I will drink until I black out. It doesn't help that I live in a country where the weather is fantastic and the wine is flowing.

No problem for me to go cold turkey. Have any of you read some interesting books or listened to any good podcasts that might help reframe my thinking towards drinking?

Hi @Dreamcakes , I'm new to the thread and have been given some good tips just a few messages up.

I would recommend this naked mind by Annie Grace. I was looking for help to cut down and this book helped me realise that wouldn't work for me. I was panicking and scared at the prospect of never drinking again, but I'm now 30+ days sober and looking forward to continuing. Another book that's helping is the alcohol experiment by Annie Grace.

Welcome @Dreamcakes - I'm glad you've found us. Sorry about the hangover. Grim any time but especially horrible in this heat. I can't moderate either. You're in the right place now. Lovely people here. Look after yourself. xx