The Brave Babes Carry On The Charabanc Trip - Leaving The Booze Behind!

[Mouseface]

Hello and welcome!

This is thread number eight!

The Brave Babes are all at different stages of quitting the booze. Some have stopped, some are thinking about it and some are just cutting down.

They are full of support and wisdom for those of you wishing to climb aboard the Bus or Charabanc!!

The Babes aren't an exclusive club, they never judge and they don't charge for advice either!

So, come meet them. I'm Mouse, by the way, and I've been sober since August 2nd 2010, something I would never have even considered without the support of these threads.

Here are the first seven threads, if you want a bit of history.

JWN's original thread

Thread two

Thread three

Thread four

Thread five

Thread six

Thread seven

Thanks JWN. Your post has nearly made me cry at my desk!

The best thing that I can say is that I have not had a drink since Tuesday despite everything. And there have been definite moments of wanting to drown in it. But I feel like this is my last chance - at life, never mind my marriage.

Thanks again for your lovely post.

Hi Red I decided to get on the bus yesterday - I had been watching it from a distance for a while. I come from a family that dfrinks very little and didn't have a clue about the havoc that alcohol can bring. I met my ex when I was 22 and thought that he was a heavy social drinker, but nothing more. It took me about 20 years to learn that he had major problems with alcohol, by wyich time my alcohol consumption had gone up considerably.
We sepreated 2.5 years ago, due to his continued secret drinking and the numerous affairs that he had embarked on. The whole thing was horrible and I upped the alcohol intake (mostly in the evening) just to numb the pain. That was OK as a short term strategy but in the last few months I have had to face up to the fact that I am hiding and minimising my drinking - the bottom line is I refuse to end up like him.

Red, I am so sorry you are feeling so shit. I have no words of wisdom, only support to offer.
Last Monday I was in a complete mess after a binge on wine so severe I passed out.
I am feeling so much better this Monday.
Is there any chance for your marriage if you canvince DP you really are determined to stop drinking?

Oh Red, I am so sorry to hear this. I wish I could say something to make it all better but I know that its just shitty at the moment.

I'm around this morning if you want to talk about it.

Hi to everyone else, been catching up on posts, hello to new faces, Mouse am so glad you got some slee, hope the dentist helps. Lucil, well done on getting through the weekend and your resolve - I really do think that 2 glasses shows that you have moved on from previous drinking, so don't beat yourself up!

All ok here, few wobbles, very anxious about house move, feel like pulling out. Lovely daughter very upset at nursery this morning, am worrying about whether to change childcare set up. Very behind at work. However, with not drinking I can see what the problems are and think about how to address them. Or decide to leave a couple because I can't address them. At least I am thinking rationally.

Hello lucil thank you for your kind words. I feel OK today as it's Day 6. If you had asked me about DH even on Friday I would have said that there was no hope but he has thawed slightly over the weekend when I have seen him (I have been staying at my parents). I am moving back in this week at some point but into the spare room... I will just have to wait and see.

Red - I have sent you a message, at the top of the screen, you should have a yellow envelope with a red dot on it, next to where it says inbox.

It's my number again for you. Click on it and you can read it!

New function on MN and it's free!!!!

Thanks mouse I just found it and replied a moment ago! Was very confused when I first saw it!

Never mind!!

Morning Red, welcome back and sorry you are going through a rough patch:( have missed you on here!

Thank you desire. It's lovely to be back.
How are you doing?

Not too bad Red, had tonsillitis and had to cancel counselling but they are getting back to me with another date so fingers crossed:)
Upside to tonsillitis and anti-depressants is that when I had a glass of wine in my friend's house it sickened me so had to pour it down the sink.
How are you feeling this morning?

I am OK thanks desire. Am just really, really weary. Fed up of the whole fucking thing to be honest. Sick of drinking, sick of not drinking, sick of thinking about drinking or not. Moan moan moan!!

Sorry to hear about your illness. But good news on pouring the wine away!

Moan away Red, we are all here for you if you want to talk, understand if you don't!

Red - HI first of all here is a great ((big hugxx)) I am sorry you are having such a crap time, life can be a bitch!!
As for the 5 year thing, I decided to give up drinking on my 40th Birthday...I am 45 I really missed you last week, you have really helped me in the past just by being here, I hope I can do the same for you xxx

Mouse thankyou

Red I am so sorry to hear that.Alcohol was the root of my marriage breakdown but it sounds like all may not be quite lost in your case , lets hope not.

Totally echo what MissP says Red, only difference being that I am 47

Thank you MissP, getting, SAF and desire. It's so lovely to have all your support behind me once again. I have just been to the bank to try to sort out the mess there (yes it's still going on!) But despite everything I have not had a drink since Tues. Which has to be worth something

waves manically at Red.

Please notice me!

Think that makes us even... . I have missed you!

Hello MsGee!!! Ha ha! We are definitely even now I would say

I have missed you too. I have missed being on here with all the chat, laughs and support. Saw DH at lunch time in our flat. All a bit awkward as he was having a shower and I was not sure if I was 'allowed' to see him like that anymore, ha!

Hello everyone, missed the bus on the weekend, was at my folks getting some mummy love! Have had fatman's (DS) cold and toothache too ( Mouse hope yours is fixed, mine coming out on Thursday).

It's my birthday tomorrow and while I no longer have any desire to drink I do get a bit whistful thinking about the raucous parties of old - then I remembered my last drinking B'day - it was only me being raucous, getting into a bar room brawl and sleeping in a graveyard. Horrific not cool.

Luci well done for not going OTT at the weekend, and how fab that your DH helped you remove yourself from a tough situation. Don't be annoyed that you didn't do it all by yourself, sometimes we need a hand and it can be difficult to accept help.

M I was staggered at how many famous faces I saw in the rooms (did you ever go to Soho on a Wed? Think its closed now). Just so gutted that I'm not free to gossip about them!!

Red tee hee, was worried that you might not be in the mood for a joke, so pleased you didn't mind.

Do you think that you can sort things out with DH when you move home?

Not the same at all but DH and I split up for a few months a number of years ago. At the time I couldn't see how we could move things on but we did and here we are. We met every week and talked and talked, even if some weeks it was very strange and we didn't know what to say. Do you think that it will work ok you moving back into the spare room? Can you make a set time each week or couple of times per week to talk?

Also, I think you are amazing for getting through this without drinking. x

Awww, Dizzy!!! Happy Birthday for tomorrow. xx

I have mega antibiotics - Metronidazole - so if I drink on them, I'll die!!!

Well, not quite as bad as that but I will not be feeling well.

Thankfully, it's no longer an issue to be given antibiotics. A few months ago, I would not have taken them and risk God knows what so that I could continue to drink.

Clever.

Anyway, I'll live! Thanks for all the well wishes. You are all brill!

Red - How are you holding up lovely? xx

Thanks MsGee! Every time I have seen DH since he hared around town seeing solicitors and freezing the joint account(!) we have got on a bit better. Once he makes a decision he tends to run around like a headless chicken but he seems to be slowing now. He was adamant about divorcing but is now at the 'don't know' stage. I think it will be fine going to the spare room because we will be around each other and even if we do finally split I think we will be able to do it with kindness and love by then (I have asked for 6 months) rather than the rage and bitterness of the moment.

Re drinking: maybe I have finally realised that if I were to drink everything would just be as shit - and indeed worse - in the morning.

Sorry - hello dizzy and happy birthday for tomorrow!

Glad you are doing OK mouse. I know what you mean about taking stuff, I would NEVER take painkillers despite the toothache or whatever because I did not want to cause my liver any further stress. JUST STOP DRINKING THEN YOU LOON!!!!! Total madness.