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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Carry On Past The Park Bench!

1000 replies

HammerMouseOfHorrors · 18/10/2010 10:54

Hello Smile

I'm Mouse and one of the Brave Babes on the Battle Bus.

The bus is never full and you'll find a real mix of people on board, all with the same goal.

To take control of their drinking. Whether that's to stop completely or cut right down.

Everyone is welcome to get on the bus at any point. You will receive a warm welcome and plenty of support.

Some come meet the others.........

The journey so far.

JWN's original thread

Thread two

Thread three

Thread four

Thread five

Thread six

Thread seven

Thread eight

Thread nine

Thread ten

OP posts:
venusinthehauntedhouse · 25/10/2010 11:49

So today is my first day 'back at work' and all I've done so far is catch up with reading this thread. I have done no work at all, and I haven't even opened any of the big bundle of post.

It has been lovely looking at more than a weeks worth of posts and seeing the variety of issues raised and support given, and also the humour, warmth, friendship and caring that is offered. It really makes me glad that I am part of it. Thank you all for being here.

dichotomy asked in one post about being flamed, and I have to say that one of the most lovely things about these threads is that I have never seen that happening. I read threads on other topics and I am sometimes horrified at the OTT (imo) reaction to some minor misdemeanor regarding care of dcs, and I think 'Fuck, if they knew the state I'd been in when I was pissed in charge of my dds, or driving after drinking, or risking my own and/or their lives in a myriad of other ways, then the MN mafia would flame me to hell and I'd never be allowed to post again'. Fortunately, despite some of the truly awful admissions that have been made on here, no-one has been on here being anything other than supportive. And in fact other people do seem to read some of it, and suggest this thread to other people if they are clearly posting about a drink problem.

I post on other threads using my venus name and I have never been flamed there either, although I am not part of the MN 'club' so mostly whatever I post gets ignored anyway [hgrin].

That said, like dichotomy I do worry sometimes about other people recognising me - particularly in the early days - and I would hate to think that people I know in RL would ever read all the posts I've made on here. The longer I'm sober though, the more I feel OK with it. Probably something to do with feeling better about myself and more willing to admit to the problem I do have.

HammerMouseOfHorrors · 25/10/2010 11:49

Thanks.

diabolik - what's up? PITAs?

OP posts:
venusinthehauntedhouse · 25/10/2010 11:53

Mouse 4 months - bloody fantastic. I remember when you didn't even dare imagine a day without a drink. You are amazing woman.

venusinthehauntedhouse · 25/10/2010 11:57

Is redmoomin still around - I didn't see her posting on this thread.

Miss you moomin - your daily posts while you were at work were such an important feature for me. When the summer afternoons were stretching out ahead and and a chilled glass of something was calling, I relied on knowing you would be around until 5pm.

HammerMouseOfHorrors · 25/10/2010 11:57

[hblush] venus

Not amazing, just wanted my life back. [hsmile]

OP posts:
diabolik · 25/10/2010 12:04

PITA's ?? -- whats that

HammerMouseOfHorrors · 25/10/2010 12:14

Pain In The Arse(s) [hgrin]

OP posts:
diabolik · 25/10/2010 12:16

ahhh ok ... was wondering what bread had to do with anything ...

and yes pain in the back side ... doing database set ups forget 1 thing and your looking for a needle in a haystack when you start testing ..

witchetychicky · 25/10/2010 12:40

Hi Dichotomy just sent you a PM.
x

Dipso · 25/10/2010 12:47

Venus, I can relate to your experience SO well, the giving up, the going back and the
eventual inevitable relapse. I do know that if I can control the craving and try and ride it out, that it does eventually pass. I know I must try anything to stop the craving and not give into it and knowing I can post on here will I hope help in that regard.

venusinthehauntedhouse · 25/10/2010 14:10

daddywillbehomesoon I have read your recent postings and just wanted to add my own thoughts....

I was married and in a relationship that was emotionally (and eventually physically abusive). In my situation I used alcohol as a way of blocking out sex that I didn't want, and as a way of rebelling in a life that was otherwise controlled. At the same time, I was increasingly promoted at work, and the better I did career-wise and the more money I earned, the more my exh felt the need to exert control within our marriage.

I think it is great that you are tackling your issues with alcohol (I wish I had done that years ago), but I post this, because in my experience as I became stronger and less dependent in one sphere of my life, my exh reacted by trying to exert more control in other areas. Please carry on with your plans to reduce / stop drinking, but also please be alert for changes in your dh's behaviour, that may not be positive/supportive.

Like witchetychicky, once I decided that enough was enough, it WAS a surprisingly easy decision, and I never looked back and regretted it - my dds were 6 and 1.6 at the time - although it was tough work (over many years) to ensure that they had a good relationship with exh. My own dparents, although understanding of my great unhappiness, would have preferred if things could have been magically sorted out, so they were not supportive at all of my decision. I see that your parents are coming to visit later this year. Please do not let your decision about your future rest with them - they are not living in your life.

I think I recall that you posted in 'Relationships' about your situation some time ago and got some excellent advice about the steps you could take. It may be that being in control of your drinking will not solve your current situation, in fact it may allow you to see more clearly the damage that it is doing to you and potentially to your ds's. If that happens then please think about posting again in relationships and putting into action some of the plans that others there (and on this thread) could help you with.

I hope you don't think I am interfering here, but MIFLAW always talks about tackling our problems in the order in which they are killing us (or destroying our own sense of self / self-esteem). And I sense in your posts something about your current situation that reads as though that in itself is destroying you. It sounds as though you are doing well in exerting discipline and self-will in reducing your drinking, perhaps now is the time to think about how you can use those strengths to address your realtionship issues. Take care x

daddywillbehomesoon · 25/10/2010 16:29

Mouse that's amazing - i am so in awe of you

Venus you are echoing advice from other very knowledgeable people on the bus and I am - he is not really DH at the moment because he is doing exactly what you have all suggested.

witchetychicky · 25/10/2010 18:12

Evening everyone [hwink]
Trying to resist slobbong in fromt of the TV and going out with the dog instead....I know I will feel better but it's SO Cold!

It's brilliant to hear how well you are doing luci - onwards and upwards.

Are you back on the bus with us today loopy

How's it going Dichotomy? Hope your day was OK and you can find a nice way to chill out this evening.
x

witchetychicky · 25/10/2010 18:18

Slobbong??!!

BBwannaB · 25/10/2010 18:34

Home alone and feeling a bit low - see I was too smug yesterday Sad
Tell me what you have got planned for this evening

HammerMouseOfHorrors · 25/10/2010 19:19

Hey BB - I'm celebrating tonight as Nemo (my DS) has put weight on despite puking for weeks.

Not with alcohol, just doing a tiny Mouseface dance around the lounge. Grin

About as exciting as it gets here!!

Why are you low today lovely? Smile

OP posts:
witchetychicky · 25/10/2010 19:21

Hi BBwannaB....why do you think you are feeling low? You did really well this weekend...try not to loose site of that.

Nothing much planned here...managed to get out with the dog....Need to get some work done then TV is calling.
I always find this part of the evening the hardest...once I get to about 9pm I am safe from the call of the wine/beer.

I may not be able to chat....2 teenagers to wrestle from the computer!

witchetychicky · 25/10/2010 19:22

Fantastic news mouse - kids never fail to suprise you do they.
x

Silver66 · 25/10/2010 19:22

Hi BB

I'm having a quiet night reading my book and maybe a bit of knitting later if I can bear the excitement [hgrin] xxx

Mouse Excellent news re: Nemo

BBwannaB · 25/10/2010 19:29

That's great news about nemo, I am picturing your dance, is it like the sugar plum fairy? Just work getting me down a bit, that's what caused the blip last week so fighting against it. Also a bit anxious about this week, have a 'drink' with the girls in the week and a weekend away to cope with. Getting stuck into some sudoku and then off to bed to catch up on iplayer I think.

HammerMouseOfHorrors · 25/10/2010 19:45

Thank you Babes. x

Off for dinner, back later.

OP posts:
TheAntiChristi · 25/10/2010 20:46

evening everyone. 29th cup of tea here. Have defrosted fridge freezer and cleaned oven though. I can't believe one bottle of oven pride has managed to cut through two years of grim oven buildup. Absolutley amazing. Honestly just so satisfying!

Silver66 · 25/10/2010 20:46

off to snuggle up in bed and try to get warm!!!

Night Brave Babes xxxx

zombieinhighheelswhatnext · 25/10/2010 20:51

evening everyone!, quiet evening here too, done some baking, makes the house smell lovley, now off to do my nails in front of whitechapel, i love it!, do you know?, they all talk like me on that programme! [hgrin]

later babes!!

L XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

btw, nice to hear about nemo mouse!, love his little heart!!

lucilastic · 25/10/2010 21:05

Struggled a bit tonight. Really fancied a cider or two.
Sipping sparkling water instead. Now it's after 9pm I feel calmer.
My danger period has passed.
God it's so hard sometimes, isn't it?
Mum and dad have opened a bottle of wine. Am going to take my book upstairs and read in bed.
Goodnight. Wishing a peaceful evening to all.

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