The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Carry On Past The Christmas Party (part 1)

[TheMousefaceBeforeChristMouse]

Hello.

Welcome to The Brave Babes Bus. I'm Mouseface and I used to abuse alcohol and to be honest, there is always a risk that I'll do it again.

This is a bus journey for those who drink too much, or drink now and then, not at all, or actually aren't quite sure what their drinking means to them.

Come and meet the other Brave Babes, everyone is welcome.

Here is the history so far -

Thread 15

Thread 14

Thread 13

Thread 12

Thread 11

Thread 10

Thread 9

Thread 8

Thread 7

Thread 6

Thread 5

Thread 4

Thread 3

Thread 2

JWN's original thread

noteven hope you managed to sleep and that you wake up rested and full of determination for the day ahead. You are doing exactly the right thing to plan ahead for your AA meetings and to make it possible. Good for you.

donot have re-read your posts, and my opinion is that having an alcohol problem is related as much (if not more) to how you think about it, as to how much you actually drink.

My sister, for example, is not an alcoholic. Sometimes, she would like a drink, sometimes not. When she wants a glass of wine she thinks about having a glass of wine, when she wants a cup of tea she thinks about having a cup of tea. I would be more likely to know at 11am in the morning, what time would be reasonable for me to start drinking that evening, I would know how much wine / gin etc I had access to, I would have a cup of tea and think about having a glass of wine.

Does that make any sense?

Mind you, venus, I wouldn't. I love tea, elderflower cordial, juice, you name it. But I just really, really like wine. When I told my friend I thought I was an alcoholic, she said 'no, you just like wine'.

It's tricky I guess ... but I wouldn't want to paint too clear a picture of 'What An Alcoholic Is Not'. Last time I was on here someone clever (diabolik, MIFLAW?) posted a link to someone's description of how being addicted makes your own brain trick you into rationalizing your addiction. So for every time we start saying what alcoholism is not, I think it gives an excuse to someone who is trying to keep in denial.

(Btw, donot, I don't mean to imply by this that I have some magic way of telling you do have a problem - I have absolutely no idea, so don't think I am arguing that. I just wanted to take up the point venus made as it stands, rather than as it is a response to you. Hope that makes sense.)

Sorry I fell asleep ! Venus thank you and I agree with what you said about thinking about drinking can be as much as of a problem as the drinking it's self. All the comments have given me a lot to think about. Thank you all. (I thought the gov guidelines was 7 - if it is 14 that means I can up it to a glass a night lol)

I think the reason I even think about how much I drink is because i get panic attacks about dying. So drinking can make you die which makes me anxious - I think I posted here so help me explore separating the two issues iyswim. Sorry that I sound so confused.

I feel terrible - just want to crawl back into bed.

Hi noteven sorry you are feeling so bad. Have you had something to eat?
x

Morning. Feel a bit rough today as had a couple too many last night.

HOw are you Noteven

On the plus side my neighbour popped round for coffee last night (his suggestion). He is still just as lovely but definately doing the right thing by being there as his friend, carrying on with my life and see how things stand in a couple of days months

morning everyone!! - feeling suitably 'boingy' this morning!! , i had a really good day yesterday - lunch was fantastic, the business people i met were great, got loads of new contacts and a possible bit of new business (god, its hard work in this climate!) - after lunch i did a bit of shopping, wandered round my favourite shops, bought a couple of christmas decs in fortnums (i did get a pair of shoes, black wedge very high ankle boots, but they were reduced! ) sat on the train with a lovley hot chocolate and read a magazine - absolute bliss!!

now then!, those of you feeling rough today could feel just as 'boingy' as i do today - all you have to do is say NO to the first drink!! - i know that makes it sound simple and easy, i know that actually its very hard, but really, saying no to the first drink sorts out all the rest - you are only saying no to the first glass of wine - dont even think about the 2nd or 3rd, just the first one, cut it into manageble slices and i promise it gets easier!

Morning all!

Nice to meet you DoNot or Googled!! What would you prefer the nickname of your nickname to be?!

How's everyone doing today?

Its my Xmas lunch/party today so I'll be mainly avoiding wondering hands

zany good luck with that!

Where is everyone

Afternoon all:) Do you finish early today for your Christmas party?

Question was for Zany

Yes, hopefully finishing in about 10 mins so I can get glammed up ready. The restaurant is only 2 mins walk away.

How are you

desire and zany I am here!! Have you gone zany? Have a good time and hope you are not grabbed/ grappled with!

desire how's tricks?

popping in to say hi

Google

I would say that you drink very little.

However - and it's a big however, so please read on - the fact that to do so requires considerable control on your behalf and the fact that you clearly obsess about your drinking is in itself a massive problem which will make your life a misery if you let it.

I drank daily for the last three years of my drinking career. On one of those days I drank only a small glass of wine, largely because that was all that was available to me. It ranks up there as one of the most miserable and tense days of those three years.

Hello ma and MIFLAW. How are you both doing?

HI REd
I'm ok - lost my mojo with the not drinking but am trying to keep it moderated at least.

MIFLAW ... just the person I hoped was on here.

Q for you. I had a medium sized glass of wine last night. Aside from the stupidity of this generally I am confused about something - I feel really awful today. I have a banging headache, feel sick and generally ugh. This might also be related to the fact that I had about 5-6 hours sleep (not so bad I know....).

So Q is ... is it likely to get a hangover after one drink? I've drank a handful of times since August but never had a reaction like this. Or should I prepare for some other illness?

ma I am currently drinking on and off (not at this precise second but you know what I mean!) What's your pattern at the moment? Is it a struggle to remain moderate? At the moment I seem to be doing OK as opposed to previous so-called 'controlled drinking' periods.

Sorry, very rude to just jump in. hi Red and ma, hope you are both ok.

ma am feeling loss of mojo in general too. Perhaps we lost it behind the sofa? xx

Hello MsGee! Sorry to hear you are feeling so shit. Hope you feel better soon x

I don't know how likely a hangover is - but I can tell you that, if you were a heavy drinker, tolerance and habit have a lot to answer for. Once you stop, these wear off quite quickly; the next time you drink, it hits you with both barrels. It's a bit like sucking a lemon after you've cleaned your teeth; you don't realise how dirty they were before, or how much that dirt used to protect you, until you put it to the test.

That said, of course it could be another illness too - your body is quite vulnerable to infections and feeling run down in the early days. Just remember that, whatever is wrong with you and however bad it is, drinking is guaranteed to make it even worse.