The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Blowing Away The Cobwebs, Brushing Up The Leaves, Whilst Travelling On The Battle Bus, To Our Own Sobrieties.

[Mouseface]

Hello I'm Mouse

Welcome to the Brave Babes Battle Bus, aka Gerald. It's a lovely place for drinkers, non-drinkers, wobblers and thinkers...... we're a really mixed bunch who all have one thing in common, alcohol.

Whether that be past or present, it can always be our future due to the nature of the beast.

Everyone can join this thread, the support is unconditional. And it is here for anyone who wants it, now or in a little while, there's always a spare seat or three!

Why not take a look at the journeys so far at the link below, it'll take you back through the last two (plus) years, and also I've posted a link to the very first thread....... the reason that we are all on the Bus in the first place

PREVIOUS THREAD

FIRST EVER THREAD

Fwiw after various failed efforts, my weekend runs from Friday evening until sat evening (with permission for wine at Sunday lunch but in practice it doesn't happen as am usually busy doing something else). Top top: don't start making exceptions foe eg class drinks, someone was visiting etc etc - it's a slippery slope.

Ok.
Saving post to read from start in coffee shop.

Legal alien, do you only buy enough alcohol for the weekend? Can you resist if there is wine in the house?

If you mean do I make sure there's no white wine in the house other than on the weekend (other poisons don't tempt me), then not any longer. But when I was first cutting down then def helpful not to have it there. Otherwise there's a "why not just drink this bottle and that will be the last one" demon. And for similar reasons I find it helpful, if I've had a couple of glasses on a Saturday, to put the rest of the bottle in the freezer. A sort of "I don't trust myself" precautionary measure- but thinking about it there is an open bottle in the fridge from sat that isn't tempting me.

Got to dash but introuble2, for me you have it in a nutshell - I like the idea of the chilled glass of white wine with the meal - but the reality doesn't live up to the ideal if practised too often.

another one here who is planning on drinking only at weekends - in fact, only once a week, as I feel even twice would go horribly wrong. or would it? see how easily I could be persuaded?

However I have gone completely abstained, 6 weeks in the spring and another 7 weeks recently, and I would recommend it if you can manage it. It really helped me see where my triggers were, and find alternative coping strategies. whereas if I'd just cut down, I think my 'strategy' would be to postpone dealing with problems it until I could have a drink.

Just checking in. Good to see the newbies sticking with us. You do know, don't you that,"you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave"
My head has been better today ..just a few spasms.
How are you thurso rural obrigada silver Venus ?

Oops, well that didn't work very well did it? You know who you are!

Hello. I am new, hope it's ok to join in. I have had yet another crappy weekend made worse by the drinking I do to lessen the anxiety I always feel. I hate myself for it and I hate the wary looks I get from the kids, but I really need help to stop. I am a binge drinker. When things are ok I am a fitness freak and don't mind not drinking, and can even drink socially and be fine. My trigger is stress, and I get plenty of that at home with my husband. He has a short temper and can go off on one at quite trivial and unpredictable things. And sometimes I can cope, and sometimes I go off and drink to self medicate, but that just makes it all worse.I want to stop but cant get to AA and can't do it alone. I have 2/3 of a bottle of white wine to finish tonight then I want to stop - at least for a while. So of itii s ok I would like to check in with you. I lie about my drinking to everyone else so can't ask them to help me give up. I know, crazy right? But sick of making myself false promises and would love a little hand holding from those who have an idea what I am going through xxxx Thanks for listening x

welcome lookingforhope, wow this bus has picked up a few new passengers! You will find lots of support and advice here

Today when i see that thread title I feel relief that I am now beyond that first stage and I do accept what I have for so long denied. It IS the first step, I feel that very strongly now in a way I thought that was a bit cliched before

Something you are so right about that. Not only is it a huge relief to admit it to yourself but it's also empowering. You will learn all sorts of strategies to help you avoid drinking when you want to.

Some of us discover that we can't ever drink 'normally' and those people have been so successful in giving up (JWN, Bproud, MIFLAW and loads of others). They pop in from time to time to remind us how wonderful life is without the constraints of alcohol. Look for them, they BOING!!

The best thing I have found though, is that I can never go back to drinking like I used to. I am too aware now of what I am doing and how I feel about it. No more mindless guzzling for me

Welcome to all the newbies, stick around and get to know us and just share whatever you want to when you feel comfortable to do so.

Hi - yes, tomorrow is an alcohol free day. Just one day at a time as I feel really low at the moment. Ridiculously, when I am not drinking I am much happier. I think it has a depressing effect on me if I approach a drink for the wrong reasons. Anyway, day off it tomorrow. Then back to the gym on Wednesday! Or maybe I will go tomorrow and just do yoga. Going to watch tv with the kids for half an hour then come back and catch up reading this thread. Nice to meet you all.

Evening, tis me, Mouse

Ma!!!!!!!!!!!!! - norty!! xx

Koti - so far so good because TODAY WE GOT A YES FOR NEMO's STATEMENT FOR SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS!!!

At long last, we have it in the box. Now the hard part, separation. Will explain more when I get chance but after Christmas, I'll start to withdraw from his care at preschool and his worker will take over.

Operation wise? I am having horrific nightmares and flashbacks.

Need to go but welcome to any new Babes xxx

IsinDe - thank you so much for the quote xx

Hello lovelies, it's been a while. Room for a little fat-arsed one?

Mouse big hugs to you, hope Nemo's op goes well. And a big yay about his statement!

hope you are very welcome here. Take a seat and help yourself to a hot chocolate.

Hello all - and to newbies too (how nice that I only joined sat night but can say that already!).

V pleased for your news mouse!

Fairienuff - that is where I want to be - that j can't do it any more because I am too aware of what I am doing. One thing I am realising (more and more) is how much I have achieved. Baby steps - but steps nevertheless. Acceptance, guilt, understanding of triggers etc etc. As I have mentioned before I think this slow process of 'bringing about the change I want to see in myself' started a good couple of years ago - but it has really been my CBT (for anxiety, not alcohol ironically ) that has been been the catalyst. Or maybe by getting myself referred for CBT was a cry for help in the hope that help with my drinking would happen too. Anyway, doesn't really matter - just some of the things I am thinking about today.

About to go to bed and feeling boosted by another alcohol free day. I wavered late afternoon - not that I would not be able not to drink tonight, but with the alcohol-induced depression eating off I felt less resolute. But I realise now I was also trying to convince myself of that in order to start the process of justifying another drink (not today, but maybe another). Anyway - as you all tell me, it Is a process - and one which I feel is well underway for me. And that is a Good Thing.

To see JWN's name further down this thread was like spotting a celebrity - javig spent so long reading the first ever thread yesterday. What an incredible, amazing, inspirational woman. And I get get get be BOING!!

JWN was here? looks around for leopard heeled fashionista

A week or so ago I think - sorry to disappoint! (and sorry for all my awful iPhone typos - I still have not spoken honestly to my DH about all this so am still having to post in semi-secret on my phone)

Mouse thinking of you and little Nemo x

Have just sat up in bed reading all your posts with my (last for the day by day) 500ml of white wine. You sound an amazing bunch of aptly named brave babes, and I am readying myself to leap out of the sidecar and join you on Gerald bus tomorrow.

I want to say hello to you all individually, but need to go to sleep now so I do not go to the kitchen and look for scotch (which I do not even like but still feeling binge-ey so being vigilant).

But at least do want to wish Mouse and Nemo lots of love and luck this week. My DD had a heart op when she was a toddler.

It is so stressful, you are doing amazing x. Thoughts going out to you even tho I don't know what to say.

And thanks for the cheering dog photos, and of course the hot chocolate x.

To day 1 tomorrow then (hmm)

Morning all,,

Mouse I'll be thinking of you and your family today, am sending my love. xxxx T xxxxx

About to get up soon and face the day. Feel a bit shaky but realised I have not eaten for 3 days. Cup of tea I think, and hope you are all ok.

Good morning hope. It's one day. Just one day. 24 hours. Dont even think about tomorrow. focus on the day, the hour, the minute you are in. Once that minute has gone, focus on the next one. Step by step by step. At my worst I would set even "lower" challenges such as leaving just one mouthful in the bottle and emptying it away. then one glass. then drinking half a bottle etc.
I mostly ride in the sidecar but as I am down to two glasses a night, I think it's time I climbed back aboard Gerald and made some room for others.
Tidies up sidecar and plumps cushions
Golden nice to hear frm you - how are you?
mouse let others take care of nemo now. You take special care of yourself.
ALL BABES - look sharp! Gerald is heading off to the hospital shortly for an overnight stay so get your jammies and toothbrush and get ready for the road. mouse need us there.

Aye aye cap'n