The Brave Babes Carry On Past The Easter Booze Offers.

[NotTheMessiahJustMouseface]

Hello,

I'm Mouse, well, I am usually!

Welcome to the Brave Babes Bus.

This is a journey of sobriety, started almost a year ago by the wonderful jesuswhatnext. So why not come aboard and find a seat. There's heaps of support on here whether you are sober, drinking or somewhere in the middle.

And, for those of you who want a bit of history, here are the Previous Threads

Was - spots are par for the course I'm afraid! And yes, it's all the crap coming out of your system. Glad you went to the gym too, I miss the gym and can't wait to be fixed so that I can get back there!

Ma - oh my lovely lady. How on earth did you not smack your GP in the face for that little gem?

What I have found with the Citalopram, is that it's great for anxiety and for 'panic attacks' but can make you a tad jumpy when you start out.

Also, you might not be able to sleep so be aware of that. I took Boots one-a-night sleeping tablets for a few days and let DH do the night shifts with Nemo.

When are you going to take them? If you take them at night, you'll miss the jumpiness with a bit of luck.

I really hope that they start to help you Ma. Don't be afriad to say to your GP if you feel they aren't, they take a few weeks to kick in. Hige hugs to you xx

I was given citalopram - but it didn't work for me - I think it's quite a basic one that most people do respond to. I do hope you start feeling better soon. My completely insane mother (who has suffered depression all her life but won't do anything about it because the doctors said something to her in 1976 or something that she didn't like...) braved her GP two years ago as she was very down. He gave her citaolpram then, unbeknown to me. Anyway, I was round there the other day and she showed me the still unopened packet saying 'well I don't like to use in case something happens'. Hmm, yes, mum, Like you might feel better She really is bonkers...

Red wine is my main problem with regard to drinking, anyone suggest any alternatives?

Shloer red grape juice - it's like a rose. Or just grape juice? Mine is white wine, so i tend to drink the white grape or elderflower drinks.

Thanks Changeling:) Did try cranberry earlier in the year but might give the grape juice a go! How do bananas fit into the equation with regards to the booze

Changleing - you are on form today!

Obrigada - cranberry juice. Or blackcurrent. You need something with a good flavour, like red wine.

DH is a red wine drinker. He likes to have squash/cordial in place of it when he's not drinking.

For me, it's just the idea of having a nice drink, a treat.

So, tall glass, stacks of ice, straw, slice of lime/lemon etc if you want and juice of your choice.

I like tonic or lemonade/soda with chopped mint and lime juice in. Really refreshing.

Faux Pimms is nice for the summer too, everything in it, except the booze! Another fave of mine is a tall glass of real, fresh orange juice, orange slices, crushed ice and a dash of lemonade or tonic.

Roll on summer for the Mouse's Mocktail Bar and it's grand opening!

"Red wine is my main problem with regard to drinking, anyone suggest any alternatives?" yes - don't drink it!

Seriously, while alternatives are all well and good, they are only ever going to be effective up to a certain point. The fact that you someone is a problem drinker means that, at least in part, they are drinking to get alcohol into their body. However you cut it, a non-alcoholic drink is not going to deliver that; it's like trying to run a car on water.

This is not to say that Shloer etc can't be nice because they can; but if you are looking for an actual alternative, you will be disappointed, and that can be dangerous; the head starts saying, "well, just one can't hurt ..."

In my experience, what works better is working on changing my attitude towards drink.

My own "alternative" to red wine is Coca Cola.

I am aren't I? and I do agree with MIFLAW too - I used to drink 'non alcoholic' wine and such but it just sent me straight back to the real stuff. Not sure about bananas, just find they give me energy and i donlt feel like drinking!

Miflaw, "don't drink it" wow what a surprise, that never dawned on me

Alternative is obviously the wrong word where you are concerned, I meant in a visual sense!

Advice to all who drink, don't! Simple!

Obrigada

Sorry for being silly.

Nevertheless, I think it's worth looking at Changeling's post which contains the serious point behind my flippant post.

It depends why you want an alternative really. If you want to avoid awkward questions from imbeciles at parties, then Shloer is great - though much easier and cheaper to fake drinking spirits by getting ginger ale or soda water in a short glass.

If you are hoping to fool your own tastebuds, then my point is it doesn't work - when you drink grape juice, for example, there is something missing and your body will soon tell you this. So the whole point of drinking grape juice pretty much goes out the window.

My serious, considered advice would be to choose a drink that you like the taste of and that you find refreshing. My own experience, and that of many others, is that drinking "imitative" drinks can make things harder, not easier, because they can make you nostalgic for the "real thing", though I know some others disagree with this.

Incidentally, you will also find that large quantities of fruit-based drinks will give you wind or, in extreme cases, the shits. If you have previously been drinking a litre of wine or more a night and are looking to replace that, then this is worth factoring in to any decision you make.

I hope this is of some help.

Get back on Mouse, am not fighting, just stating the obvious:)

FWIW I really like Shloer. But I drink it as grape juice, not because it looks like red wine - and I think what I'm really saying is that intent is all in this context.

Obrigada

I'm here lovely.

MIFLAW - I do the same, I don't drink the drinks as substitues, I drink them because they taste and look delicious.

For what it's worth Miflaw, I don't really like the taste of red wine so heaven knows why I drink it

:):) Isindie - that must be it:)

Hello ladies (and bloke)

I don't drink alcohol alternatives because I reckon they'd send me straight to the offie. I do drink fentimans ginger beer, but that's because I like it and it tastes nothing like any alcohol I drank.

When I first started posting a few weeks ago someone mentioned that there was a bristol AA'er on here, would it be ok to ask who it is? I was wondering if I'd come across them at a meeting.

I'm off to a newcomers step meeting tonight, anyone know if it's likely to be a small meeting or not? (I prefer bigger meetings).

Today has been a good day I have done the organising for my youngest to start her new school next week (paperwork/tour of school/uniform sorted) and found out that she's going to be in a tutor group with her best friend, wahayyy! She's very happy indeed

Golly

Re the new school, DD ended up by chance in the same tutor group as her best friend when she moved up to senior school last September which was a huge help!

Enjoy your meeting

"For what it's worth Miflaw, I don't really like the taste of red wine so heaven knows why I drink it"

Well, I can only speak for myself, but personally I drank it because it "destressed me" (i.e. got me drunk) without driving me mad like white cider does, disappearing too quickly like spirits do, or keeping me pissing and taking too long to work like beer does!

MIFLAW

Strongbow. Now that and Diamond White is fighting juice for this Mouse. I can't drink it. More to the point, I shouldn't drink it. Ever.

Maybe that's why my DH enjoys red wine so much?

See, red wine makes me violently ill. I can maybe handle a glass with a bloody good steak at somewhere liek Goucho Grill, but anything younger than 2008, and less than 12.5 - 13% abv, sends me scurrying for the loo.

Rose is my fave for the summer. A nice sparkling Pinot Grigio blush. Again, only a glass, two at a push after a day of eating and walking in the sunshine, or on holiday. It's a treat now. Not a NEED!

I find it funny how as I have aged, my tastes have changed. Or, maybe, my desire to get pissed and the time that has to take has changed.

Do you know, I think I may have grown that little bit more and changed the priorities in my life

Typos, sorry!

Hello you lovelies,

just checking in.

I went back to work yesterday after the hols, and it wasn't good news, so have been fighting my corner all yesterday, and today. Unfortunately, everything comes down to money, which rather pi**es me off where vulnerable children are involved.

I got home and felt very down, so, instead of going to the off licence, have prepped myself to death!

Avocado and smoked salmon starter (left over from Easter, botulism alert!), and chicken parcels with julienne veg, and roasted tomatoes. At least it kept my hands off the car keys!!

DH still quite up, but I still had to think of an uplifting email to send this morning, which made me feel quite sad. I used to do it because it was fun, now I do it because I think I need to.
By the way Citralopram? made DH feel like his skin was on fire, anyone had that effect?

Mouse BIG BOY'S BED what an achievement! Give Nemo a big hug from Auntie Thurso. I'm hoping it will give you some sleep as well. FWIW, I wouldn't worry about having it in your room, tiny steps and all that!

qo you sound so much brighter, I have been thinking of you, and worrying, actually, but others on here have much better advice than mine. Have a good evening.

Ma any chance of DH talking tonight?, I know I'm going against all other poster's here, and if you've truly come to the end of the road, I apologise, but is there anything that can be salvaged?

Speak later babes, and Miflaw
xx

Just popping in to say hi. Day 2 (again) for me. Had a lapse at the weekend. Had my usual guilt-ridden, shitty day yesterday and woke up today with a feeling that I have really turned a corner in my mindset.
Drinking really does (for me) make everything so much worse.
Can't see substitute soft drinks ever working for me. I don't see them as a treat as I only ever drink to quench thirst (and anything will do) or to get off my face.
Welcome to all newcomers and a hello to all the regular babes.