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Original poster

Old Bags No More - The Brave Babes & the Battle with the Booze

982 replies

MoominMags · 15/07/2010 09:26

Well, here we go ladies (and MIFLAW)! The new thread to follow on from JWN's 'me and alcohol have ruined my family'. I hope no one minds that I decided to go with 'brave'? I just think that it describes us!

As a quick recap, I am 33 and on day 22 of sobriety (on this occasion!)

OP posts:
Original poster
MoominMags · 22/07/2010 11:24

Hmm, have now seen MIFLAW's last post! Maybe jakey is connected to that though??

OP posts:
jesuswhatnext · 22/07/2010 11:40

the old chap talking about it is an ex rough sleeper, i suppose it must once have been his drink of choice from the way he refered to it, he has a very black country accent, so it may be a 'local' expression iyswim?

MIFLAW · 22/07/2010 11:45

Maybe, though in the context I find "choice" an odd word to use! I imagine that offered a free triple single malt in a snug bar or a swig of jake in a pub car park in the pissing rain he might have been swayed by the former ...

Original poster
MoominMags · 22/07/2010 11:49

I did wonder about where the term 'jakey' had come from but it makes sense now!

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jesuswhatnext · 22/07/2010 11:52

miflaw - dont get on at me!, its just an expression, im quite sure in his non-alkie brain his 'choice' would have been very differant1

MIFLAW · 22/07/2010 12:06

Just joking. My own drink of choice was red wine - but I ended up drinking a lot of wine that, in the free off-licence in the sky at least, I wouldn't ideally have chosen.

wineisthedevil · 22/07/2010 12:40

Thank you for the nice welcoming ! I'm going to change my name. How should I start ? Cold turquey ? If not, how shall I decrease my intake ?

Gloupgloup · 22/07/2010 12:51

Right I'm no more Wineisthedevil, I'm Gloupgloup (dont ask me why)

MIFLAW · 22/07/2010 12:52

For the quantities you drink, cold turkey should do you no harm whatsoever (though it will probably not feel that way for a few days!)

But if you are in any doubt, see your doctor or phone NHS Direct and ask for advice.

The main thing from here on in is to stay honest, especially with yourself.

Original poster
MoominMags · 22/07/2010 12:55

Hi gloup!

Agree with MIFLAW with the amounts you have posted about cold turkey should be fine. the main thing I have found is sleeping - or the lack of it! It won't feel fantastic or anything but once you get past the first few days it will get better, promise! Just keep posting to us all and let us know how you are getting on - even if you do drink no one will chase you away!!

Good luck, everyone is rooting for you x

OP posts:
Gloupgloup · 22/07/2010 13:02

Thank you very much ! So tonight I wont drink !
I'm going to completely change my routine and buy some lovely soft drinks, I got few ideas from that thread.

Alcohol could destroy my life if I carry on like this, I mean I drink already one bottle, what if my tolerance build up and I end up drinking 2 bottles a day ??

algee · 22/07/2010 13:09

hello all!
H...a...t...e...d...it! I think I must try again, I just sat there convincing myself that I didn't belong, and I had my buttocks clenched the whole time. Room full of stangers ok if I've had a skinful... REMEMBER no judgements here, don't tell me off please! I know I need help, really i do, but...

Removals firm coming tonight to give me a price, so must have a little tidy. PAssed my last skills test today, and a million screaming 'angels' at this picnic thing tonight...I've bought my flavoured fizzy water already!

Good to meet you gloup...

Original poster
MoominMags · 22/07/2010 13:10

It only gets worse unfortuntely - not better! You are so doing the right thing by getting to grips with this before it gets even worse. Well done for taking this first step - it's a huge achievement. You are now one of the computer fairies - always ready to support each other!

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Original poster
MoominMags · 22/07/2010 13:16

algee - sorry you found it hard! And definitely no judgements, of course! So no tellings off here.

All I can suggest is give it another go... try a different meeting... look for the similarities etc etc! Did people speak to you? I know that when I was first going and people were talking to me or offering phone numbers I was like, "Back off, you freaky alkies! Give me some room here!" I also thought they were mad, I didn't belong and I was 'different' to them. Ha ha! No lectures - just give it another shot!

OP posts:
Original poster
MoominMags · 22/07/2010 13:18

Well done on passing your skills test by the way!! And the best of luck for the horror-picnic, yikes!

(Was not trying to be bossy on other post, really hope it did not come across that way x)

OP posts:
algee · 22/07/2010 13:19

'Back off'...oh yes!

God knows I belong (me too) but ooohhh...

Original poster
MoominMags · 22/07/2010 13:25

I totally know what you are saying! Really reminds me of what it was like to begin with. The most mad thing about it now is that I really love it! (It'll come, honest!)

OP posts:
MIFLAW · 22/07/2010 13:42

"what if my tolerance build up and I end up drinking 2 bottles a day ??" Not if. When.

MIFLAW · 22/07/2010 13:43

Algee - what made you think you didn't belong? Was it actually just that you didn't know anyone or was there something more fundamental that you could pick out?

Gloupgloup · 22/07/2010 13:43

You are right Miflaw..You have helped in the past under a different name and here I am..I fell off the wagon

MIFLAW · 22/07/2010 13:56

That's the problem with wagons.

That's why I have never been on one. Nor have I taken the pledge or sworn off. Nor am I teetotal.

I don't drink alcohol. For today.

Simple as that.

Gloupgloup · 22/07/2010 13:59

I get what you are saying, you are not swearing you are never going to drink for the rest of your life but you take one day at the time..and have been doing this for 7 years.

MIFLAW · 22/07/2010 14:07

That's right - but also I am not adding anything else to it. Being "on the wagon" makes it sound like one is taking some sort of stand, joining a gang, etc.

I have no stand to make against alcohol or against anyone else's use of it. It is just an observable fact in my life that I do not drink it.

jesuswhatnext · 22/07/2010 14:21

i may drink again, but not today! - forever seems like a long, unattainable goal to me, so, a day at a time it is!

nice to have you here gloup! ime, a bottle a night can become 2 very quickly and easily - in fact, some days i would have described that as a 'good day' i never really drank spirits but my gawd, could i put some volume of wine away! even after the first few days i noticed that i felt physically better, less kind of bloated iyswim? feels very nice actually

algee - maybe AA is not for you? - it is not obligatory! - give a couple more a try and if you still dislike it, then so be it! you sound like a quite reserved person and i can understand the buttock clenching i can well imagine that for soem people, all this sharing and stuff could be excruciating!

algee · 22/07/2010 14:21

i felt a fraud...like I was attention seeking or something. I don't know. I'm not good with people being friendly I guess, freaks me out a bit. Nothing to analyse, just the way I am. You lot on here are experiencing an openness which would stagger even people I've known for yonks.

Back on to tidying...if I don't see you again before the grand picnic see you later.