The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Starting the Summer Filled With Luscious Mocktails.

[Mouseface]

Hello, I'm Mouse and I used to drink far too much. Too much vodka to be exact, then too much wine, then too much cider....... you can imagine how it went.

This Bus is full of people like me, and people like you actually. Sober people, drinkers, a few not surers, and those who are simply 'somewhere'.

The one thing that we have in common is that we can/do/did/will abuse alcohol.

Some for a number of years, some months, some for their entire adult (and before) lives.

The support here is for everyone. Those in AA, those who are taking medication to help, those going it alone, those with the support of others. We're all here for the same reason.

Why not come and say hello? We are all so very different in our every day lives but we all have a common theme.....

And, for those who want to see where all of this began 2 years ago, HERE IS a link to all of the past Bus rides.

Welcome new boarders, I know you will find good advice and support here.

I've been sober for 6.5 weeks (apart from a couple of drinks on my birthday) and hope to continue. As soma said earlier it helps to kick the habit, and have ammunition to beat cravings ie. alternative drinks/hobbies. You may find that when you stop drinking emotions rise up which you had been using alchol to numb instead of dealing with.

I've been told I have possible CFS, if I hadn't quit drinking I would have blamed my symptoms on alcohol.

Soma I would just see how it goes with STM. Btw, in my single days I ended up having sex with a lot of people (both genders) that I wouldn't have done had I not been drunk. I shudder at the memory.

me too greyhound! Or rather, I would get drunk in order to go through with something I knew was wrong. And almost wrecked my marriage.

Did you manage to sort out the rogue dog?

theresafire, I was in a similar position to you, half a bottle crept up to a whole bottle and sometimes more....Lots of bargaining, attempts at trying to control, incessant internal dialogue, I was so tired and fed up with myself.

Antabuse has put a stop to it, for now at least. It's given me a foot up the ladder of sobriety :) And I haven't disembarked, I can't afford to do that, I'm just a bit quieter...

Afternoon, tis me, Mouse

Sorry I've not been here, hello and a HUGE welcome to the new passengers

IsinDe - I am so very, very pleased that your wedding went as well as it did. Lots of love to you and your gorgeous DP xx

This is only a very quick post as life here is totally hectic currently. DH is away (jolly watching cricket), DD is here to help, Nemo is gorgeous but having heaps if assessments to determine the level f care he'll need in pre-school, and subsequently school.

There's a huge delay thanks to the fuckwittery of one of his team

I just have no time to be here! Grrr!

I miss catching up with you all so once the dust settles here, I'll be back!

Nice to see that we're still going strong....... I worry when it's quiet that people won't post, then again, when it's quiet, people will post....

Right, dinner calls.....

Thurso - hope you're okay, not had a proper catch up for aaaaaaaaaaaaages.

Jesus - how's things with your DD and the wedding plans? Hope everything is okay lovely lady

Soma, Mia, Ma, Obrigada, MsGee, Silver, venus et al HELLO!!!!!!

And to the newer Babes.... keep going, keep trying! The posts on here are from real people with real drinking problems.

If you want it badly enough, and I mean really then you'll do it, you'll stop. Or cut down, however you want it to go.

Big (((((hugs))))) to those in need, back to the chaos for this little mouse.

Lots of love to you all xxxx

Soma my cravings (which were incredibly strong) started to abate within a few days of taking it and I can only put this down to how it's affected me psychologically - I find that if I know for sure, for absolute sure, that I'm not going to drink, I don't get cravings, don't even think about it most days. It's taking that decision and knowing that you can stick to it that is the key, imo.

As to SexyMan, I would just tell him you don't drink. It's true now after all. If he asks why, just say you don't like it anymore. No one would bat an eyelid at that. If it all works out between you, you can open up a bit more further down the line if you like.

Hi to new babes good to hear from you. Bit busy here too with one thing and another but will catch up with you all later x

I had a meltdown at the supermarket, couldn't find my bonus card. Spent 5 minutes looking through purse, wallet, handbag; apologising to cashier; talking to self etc.

DD was so embarrassed "you had your head right in your bag, muttering, then you started babbling at the lady behind the checkout - then put your had in your bag again... you were acting weird!"

I don't know if it was exhausted parenthood, the newly-diagnosed CFS, imminent senile dementia or just plain old age. What I do know is, it wasn't caused by being drunk or a hangover!!

PS. DD offered to carry my bag back to the car. She's clearly put her money on dementia.

Waving back atcha Mouse*
DH bought me a new drink today - M & S elderflower soft brew. It is interesting and I think if my memory is correct it tastes quite beer/lager like. For this reason I am not sure that I like it, I found it a bit scary drinking erzatz beer.
Soma good luck with your date, I think it is easiest to be honest (ish) with people, just saying I don't drink much...
joey make the most of DD helping you, for whatever reason!

Bproud M&S do some lovely drinks, isn't there a raspberry soda one? AND they are much cheaper than booze. It would be nice if the weather would improve so we could have some of those instead of hot drinks!

joey have to laugh at that, sorry! I often find myself in a flap like that.

soma I would be upfront and say you don't drink. I've told a few friends over the past few days because I've been 'expected' to drink. I had a girls night in and takeaway the other evening and I just told everyone that I had quit drinking. They were shocked at first, but actually I heard a few muttering "I should do the same"

I'll not be around for the next few days. I'm off on a little holiday with my kids. Just 3 nights, but the change of scene will do us good. Looks like I'm heading south for some lovely sunshine too.

Later babes X

have a lovely holiday daisy!

just a quick thought - i have never worried about telling people im not drinking, my friends and family have all supported me, never made a huge thing of it (well, my dm did at first, sort of blushing and twitching in a very irritating manner but i kind if expected that and just told waiters that i didnt want a glass as i was 'in recovery'! that embarassed her enough to make her stop! ) in over 2 years i have only come across 2 people who have either judged or made a big thing out it - at the end of the day, my health, my wellbeing, my sanity, my family, are worth so much more than worrying about 'what other people may think', i think we have to grow a thick skin and just think 'fuck 'em'! they can do as they wish, i wish to remain well, their lives are nothing to do with me and vice versa!

jwn I agree that we shouldn't worry about what people think... but I still couldn't admit it to my family. I feel (and I don't know if its true or not) they would judge me, compare me with my father - who was an alcoholic - and they would also worry about the extent of the problem. My mother especially would be a nightmare I think... I'd feel like she would be 'watching' me, maybe waiting for a relapse; she's really nosy as well, she'd ask loads of questions. She would have the best of intentions, but I'm a private person.

But thats just my family. It would depend entirely on your own situation, family dynamics and how you think they would react.

I've been taking these new anti-depressants for 3 days now... and I can't stop eating One of the side-effects appears to be increased appetite... really not sure about them anyway since they are supposed to be for depression only, whereas I actually had anxiety.

Picked up a leaflet in the supermarket about cocktails (no, I don't know why either) they use words like 'glamourous' 'holiday' 'relax' 'carefree'. James Bond, 'Mad Men' etc. It's... weird...

Evening, tis me, Mouse

It's that day of the week again that some of us fear the most; the end of the week, it's Friday.

But yesterday it was almost Friday and the day before, it was 2 days away. Most of us know that, still have that little peak of 'ooooh, it's almost Friday'

Well, it has the same amount of hours as yesterday and tomorrow. It has a 'y' in it just like the rest of the days of the week.

I'm not sure why I'm posting this..... I just know (because I've been there and am only ever 1 drink away from 'it') that Friday night can be 'fuck it I deserve a drink'

But it's never a drink. It's rarely 2. Probably 3, most likely 4 drinks...... 1 bottle, another few glasses after that.

If you don't want to feel like Deep Fried Dog Vomit, tomorrow, or any other day, then take the label off Friday and look at what you have in that glass in your hand......

xx

Great post Mouse, a reminder to all of us who think we can control our drinking but are fooling ourselves. For me at least, it seems better to just not drink at all. Have a cosy evening with DD.

Have a great holiday Daisy and thanks everyone for the advice about what to say to my date about not drinking. As it happens I've cancelled on him because I'd decided he was all words and no action and told him I want to leave it. More than once he hasn't done what he said he was going to do and that's a big red flag to me. This is a major benefit of not drinking - I'm clear-headed and trust my gut instinct.

Have a great evening everyone x

aaggh! just when I thought I was in control, and everything was going well... so far this week I've been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, broken the washing-machine and had a car repair bill for £100.

All this I could cope with, but the icing on the cake, the cherry on the icing on the cake - my MIL - was on top form this evening!

Interesting, I haven't really thought about alcohol for a few weeks, but suddenly my stress levels rose and I did want a drink. (Resisted though, nearly 7 weeks now - am NOT going to give in just because of bloody MIL)

Plan. Tonight: chocolate (lots). Tomorrow: smile, eat chocolate, go to bed early.

Saturday: I thought I would make mocktails! Details to follow...

ummm.... mouse today is Thursday, at least where I am. Still, great post

Joey you are amazing, you sure have some strong inner determination there! So sorry that things are piling up for you at the moment but, hey, that's life. Drinking won't make any of it any better.

Lovely Mouse I want to live in your world - Friday? I wish. Still, nearly there now

Love to all x

Thanks Soma , I really feel that if the decision is taken out of ,y hands to drink by the meds then I'll just do it because I have to. How childish is that. I'm not gettin any younger and I could really do with all that energy I'm wasting. So my plan I think is to see a GP after school hols are finished fill the script (is it expensive?) and then pick a day to start, maybe day after my birthday early next month. Good vibes to you Babes from Sunny Oz xx.

BTW my parents have stopped drinking for a bit, my Mum too lose weight and my Dad to help with lowering his cholesterol. So it would sound so normal to say youre off the grog for a bit in the interest of good health. As Fairenuff says no one would bat an eylid, no one else really cares that much do they? It's only us that wildly overthinks alcohol. Congrats on blanking STM for a bit, start as you plan to go on and all that. The man that gets you needs to be worthy. Let the boys keep playing i reckon!

i feel very alone and lonely and in need of a drink right now

turns out MIL was not the cherry on the cake, it is my work. I think they're going to sack me unless I can 'pull my socks up' and I don't know HOW to. sorry for this, crying

at least, not drinking eh.

Not yet anyway.

I am so awful at my job - and for those whoe say no you're not, you're a good person - well blah I 'm fucking useless - even I would've sacked me by now

Hi Joey, just seen your post, how are you feeling now? How long have you been in your job?

obrigada I have stopped crying, and started a thread in 'Employment' asking for advice.

I have taken some codeine for a headache and will now walk the dog as the last thing I need is MIL complaining that is bored and badly-behaved.

Although he is never naughty - just cheeky - and he licked my tears and he loves me [small smile]