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

[thurso1]

My lovely Mouse

"under 10 stone" .

You sound so much lighter than in times gone past, even with difficult anniversaries coming up, and no sleep, you still sound more upbeat. much love my friend. xxx

[thurso1]

Gah, didn't even to make the link to your weight dropping and your mood "lightening".

I really need to think before I write .

[venusandmars]

joey interesting about your Feeling Good technique, and also interesting that you wrote this "I don't feel any real desire to drink though (well it is only 10.30am!) but unless I get this mood sorted then by Friday the idea of that 'weekend drink' will be obsessive."

When I read that, I read that you have no real desire to drink now (great!). But I also read that you have projected from a good feeling now to a bad feeling by Friday. Can you use your technique on that and think about whether there is any chance that your anxiety may be false (take each day at a time and maybe by Friday you will still have no real desire for a drink), or whether some of it might be exaggerated and you might have a few cravings rather than feeling obsessive?

[aliasjoey]

venus you are probably right - as usual! - i am just projecting. actually i am already feeling better: just theidea of finding a tool to help has given me something to focus on.

[dippyDoohdah]

hi.has anyone on here had a chlordiazepoxide detox? gp gave me 30 x 10Mg tablets and told me to take 3 a day.not sure she was very sure and I know it should be a reducing dose.any advice? asked her for antabuse for after and she seemed reluctant though said lets see later next week.coping strategies for my current situation are so poor I need some back up!

[Mouseface]

Dippy - no, sorry.

Thurso - will PM you tomorrow re respite and statement issues, can't put them here. Too public for the current situation we're in now. (Me, not the thread!) and well done on the penny dropping re the 'lighter mood'

Night all, school tomorrow xx

[dementedma]

Thanks all. The college said she will be welcome back next year.she is being very brave but had two black mascara streaks down her cheeks when she came home tonight where she had been crying. My heart is sore for her.

[guggenheim]

ma that really isn't fair- poor girl I wish I was rich and could pay her fees.

mouse kind words as always hope life is good to you and little nemo

dippy sorry I don't know either. What are your coping strategies? What's happening now? I know that some of the babes use anatabuse (sp?)

Right, made it through tonight. I'm very glad that the bus is generous enough to accept lapsed babes back on.

night all - going before I get too slushy!

[greeneyed]

Night night babes you are all inspiring thank you. Wishing everyone well for tomorrow. Purple did ypu have your appointment with alcohol services today? - hope it went well

[ohcluttergotme]

Hi all
How is everyone doing? Not been on bus for a week or two. Started counselling for alcohol addiction & thought if I can just give up wine I'll be fine! Started drinking vodka (again) and ended up drinking bottles of the stuff, took quite a few days of sick & cycle goes on. Feel for me it had to be no alcohol. Cancelled 4 separate sets of plans last weekend that all would of involved drinking & felt so good having an alcohol free weekend & felt fine for work yesterday for first time in a long time. Have cancelled plans for this weekend with an excuse that I can't waver from. I am so sick of alcohol/hungover cycle. My toddler is such hard work & I'm sick of being crap mum to him & teenage one. Been thinking I've spent nearly the last 20 years with alcohol being a big part of my life & ready to try & see what life is like without alcohol.
When I went to see my counsellor I spoke of how helpful this bus & all people in it are, he was really interested to hear about it & thought it sounded a really good support
Not had a chance to read over all messages so hope things kinda ok for people

[greeneyed]

Ohclutter, well done for the weekend, I am now in the mindset of cancel or drive for parties though having done this on Saturday, on Sunday I managed to convince myself I deserved two thirds of a bottle of wine and then a couple of measures . So day two for me babes, I will not drink today, will probably be back later between 7pm and 9pm to ask you all for help! Xx

[ohcluttergotme]

It's so hard greeneyed I've tried taking the car loads of times as my deterrent then just end up leaving it where I am. Went to a wedding last summer 40 miles from our house, took the car so wouldn't drink then had one glass of wine which shut off my rational switch, ended up drinking all night & got on courtesy bus home...leaving my car at hotel!

[greeneyed]

I know, did have the conversation re leaving car in town on Saturday, would have to have been up at crack of dawn as on a meter. Fortunately we had a baby sitter to be back for and by the time I was considering this it was only an hour or so before we would have to leave so managed to hold off. 40 miles nightmare!

[SobaSoma]

Morning early birds. Clutter I think it's a very wise decision to cancel social plans for the weekend - your sobriety is what comes first. I'm not going to the work Xmas party for the same reason and am quite happy at the moment to stay in most of the time and meet friends for coffee or an early supper. I was heartily sick of the alcohol/hungover cycle too, it's just long drawn-out agony, day after day after day. Being fully present for DD (12) is probably the best thing about not drinking and my relationship with her is so good now. Just try to think how you'll be able to enjoy your kids, even if they're still hard work, and you won't have to live with the guilt.

It is hard though and it's not something that changes overnight. For the last few weeks I've been getting really strong cravings, usually around 2-3pm when I'm at work, and yesterday they were so intense that I decided I was going to come off Antabuse so I could drink again. Of course once they'd gone (and they always do), I was appalled that I could think like that and was mighty glad of the medication, because without it I would have had a binge.

Have a good day Greeneyed and see you later!

[aliasjoey]

morning all

really struggling at the moment, work and family. My DD is a normal 10-year-old (I think) but for some reason I feel I can't cope with her. She is not violent or swearing, just the usual backchat and attitude but I am really miserable. Thank god I'm not drinking otherwise I'd be having a bottle every night.

soma I am SO glad to hear you saw the voice or reason in the end - the cravings must have been very strong to make you consider stopping the antabuse! anything you can do for yourself the next time a craving hits? TBH the best thing for me, is literally just coming on the Bus. As soon as I 'step on board' the urge to drink just goes.

Unfortunately that urge has now been replaced by an urge to run away, just get in the car and drive away. I think I might be depressed.

[dippyDoohdah]

guggen..I have worked out the reduction regime..am planning on getting antabuse after, especially as have a big city break weekend with a load of friends later this month! am so looking forward to a child free weekend... live alone with 2 and 5 yr old ds..eldest showing lots of aspergers traits and b hard work..just going through a divorce..work almost full time.totally relate to those of you that want life back and relationships and presence with dcs

[aliasjoey]

koti I'm 42. old enough not to burst into tears (at work) over a news story about a gorilla.

[SobaSoma]

Joey {{{{{{{hug}}}}}}}} glad your sense of humour's intact though. Pre-teen girls can be hard work, I have to be tough with mine when she back-chats but she knows I won't tolerate it. How do you respond to her when she gets like that? And you're right, it would be so much harder if you were drinking so bloody well done. Time to see the GP again about your pills maybe? I haven't been my usual grounded self for the past week or so and am beginning to wonder if my pills aren't working as well as they used to. I don't want to up the dose though if I can help it so will hope things settle back down.

Hi Dippy, looks like I might have an Antabuse buddy then? I had one before called HelpYourself but she hasn't been around - if you're lurking Help hope things are going well for you. It's been a very useful medication for me, basically I've hardly drunk since May apart from a few relapses which I shared with everyone! I'm a single mum who's been through a divorce too, it was hard at the time but apart from my battle with drink (which I feel I'm slowly winning), it was the best thing that's ever happened to me.

If I get a craving later Joey I'll try and come on here, even if I'm at work. I just can't believe how strong it was yesterday because right now I don't want a drink at all. I am on my 4th Millicano of the day though (instant/ground coffee) which is bad isn't it? :)

[dippyDoohdah]

hi soba...sounds like u have done really well.did u have any problems getting your gp to prescribe it? have got 2 Weeks to sort self as have this time off work...I can't get counselling support for this problem as is too close to home in work context iyswim..so am def reserving a seat on the bus! have do much to get strong about relationships, money...but alcohol undermines it all!

[SobaSoma]

Dippy yes it was a bit of a performance getting the prescription. Basically GP didn't want to or couldn't do the prescribing initially so I was referred to the D&A team and had to see a psychiatrist. She then told me my GP should do the prescribing so I burst into tears during the consultation and basically told her that someone needed to take responsibility....She reluctantly did me a prescription and my GP took it over from then and it's now on repeat for as long as I need it with regular reviews.

I hope it won't be that difficult for you but if you haven't seen your GP about it yet make very sure from the outset that you understand and are happy with, how it's going to be prescribed. And you're right, drinking too much undermines everything so all the very best of luck. Any more questions about Antabuse or anything else, ask away.

[dippyDoohdah]

crikey soma they did put you through it! saw gp yesterday and have 10 days librium now, asked about antabuse and I could almost see her wriggling and she said "well lets see how you are next week"...I do know there is another gp at the practice who basically prescribes anything tho! can't go to local d and a team unfortunately.....did you have to change all your toiletries because of alcohol when went on antabuse and do you notice any side effects? thanks!!

[aliasjoey]

thanks koti I had loads of tests done (twice) last year and they said there was nothing wrong with me. I get fed up of going to the GP (and am sure they get fed up of seeing me)

With DD, well I try and stay calm, explain about consequences etc but after a while start to lose my temper. I seem to get wound up sooo easily. I want to enjoy having a daughter. I get frustrated, its like theres a total lack of respect. Then afterwards I feel so down, knowing I over-reacted and dreading the next argument.

Thanks for listening...