The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Whacking The Wine Witch Round The Chops (With Barry The Squid).

[Mouseface]

Hello, I'm Mouse :)

I'm one of the Brave Babes who's travelling on this wonderful, magical, mysterious Bus, trying to hold onto my sobriety for me, and for my family.

I do drink but thanks to this Bus, I've kicked the vodka addiction into touch and the evil WineWitch has been banished far, far away so I now drink in a controlled manner, One Day At A Time. :)

By that, I mean that just for today, I won't be drinking. Tomorrow, however, I will be because it's a very special occasion. The day after will be dealt with when I wake, and the day after that, the day after etc.....

We're a Bus filled with some fantastic posters, some who drink, some who don't touch a drop ever and some who are on/off drinkers who have lovely warm seats in the side-car, some are hanging onto the roof-rack by the tips of their fingers and trying their best to resist the dreaded WineWitch's charms night after night. But they are trying, and that's all that any of us can do, is keep trying, keep starting again!

So, if you think that you're drinking too much (you probably are) why not come and say hi? We won't bite - unless you ask very nicely, manners cost nothing .

There's lots of seats so pick whichever one you like and have a . Just jump in, we're not a judgemental pack of quiche makers

And here's a bit of light reading for you.... our latest thread and the very first one, the reason we're all here.

PREVIOUS THREAD

FIRST EVER THREAD

ThisIs - you are fab, an absolute star for that, thank you so much for posting and helping..... I hope you don't think I'm patronising you, I am not, I'm in awe at how the BraveBabes rally round when there is a crisis. I'm thankful that you are here with the knowledge that you have to be able to help :) xx

In fact, people trying to help makes me love this Bus even more. No-one here has met Richard, this broken mad at his wits end. No-one has seen him sober, before he became the shadow of his former self that he is today but ALL of us want him to live, and ALL of us want Ma to be supported too. This will affect you too sweetheart. xx

I know that you might feel a bit bombarded by us all saying try this, here, call them etc but we all want the same thing, Richard to get the help he needs, be safe and be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of the state he may well be in.

Oh Ma - I can't begin to imagine how you feel but keep posting if it's helping you, you need a release, YOU NEED A BREAK! You need to eat, have you eaten today?

Can DH get involved at all, I know things aren't 'rosy' in the garden but ffs, this really is life or death now. You have done so very much to try and hep, to try and get the support, mentally and physically that he so desperately needs.... you've done so much you must be past exhausted now, running on adrenaline and fear......

We all want to help and hope that someone, anyone will please, please do something. And now.

Got to go and get Nemo

Big huggles? to you all xxxx

It's the least I cud do if you need me for any thing like wot to say to them or u want any info of the voices etc let me know hope u find the help let me know how u get on I hope your brother is safe x

Thanks mouse that means I lot as someone who binge drinks listening to Richards story make me realise what a dangerous and debilitating drug alcohol is x

Ma it maybe that u need to travel but I wud just turn up dont fone just turn up they have to by law help u x

Ma wishing you and Richard the very best of luck. Tried to look up stuff and help as best I could. Praying for a really positive outcome. xxx

I'm off. The Bus is fantastic but I've felt, over the past however months, a little hurt and left out at the lack, sometimes, of help and comments on my posts. Childish? Probably. The Bus shouldn't be my only form of support, but has been. The anonymity has been something that's allowed me to 'tell it as it is' and that has been invaluable.

Good luck to all but especially some of the people who I've especially close to - Green, Joey, Ma, Baby, Clutter and, of course Mouse.

Bye Lovelies and take care. xxxxxxxxxxxxx

*been

purple don't you dare leave us, we need you, I need you, maybe we have just presumed because of your constant support and wit that you didn't need us as much as we've needed you but if that's the case then you need to stay close more than ever, we all need each other, purple are you there? X x x x

That's a shame Purple . I hope you reconsider. Just sharing is, I believe, supposed to be tremendously helpful. As I understand it, in AA meetings, people just share - they don't discuss.

I think its impossible to comment on everyone's posts every time and just now Ma has got a crisis on her hands.

Anyway, I hope you will lurk or come back to the bus sooner rather than later.

Hold your horses there purple and don't leave the bus. I was just about to post to you actually to say something silly about your good news/bad news day. But sometimes the bus moves too fast and I struggle to find the time or the right thing to say. I always read and post if I can but I know I leave lots of lovelies out when I name check.

I promise that for every one of your posts there is someone lurking and reading and paying attention.Everyone gains and gives to the bus, so why leave? It is a place where we can talk and chat about rubbish and where we get given love and support for free, without conditions any time of the day. Wait til monday and see if you feel the same way. x

ma Hope that some of the numbers/ contacts turn into some real help for you. This has really opened my eyes about our health care system, I had no idea that there is so little care for alcoholism. I'm very sorry.

I've got fuck all to donate to charity but I'm going to make sure that next time I have a spare fiver I'm giving to an addiction charity. if that makes any sense.

Purps Don't you dare go! I love reading your posts, really. I know what you mean about not being name-checked or have anyone comment on your posts because I feel like that sometimes too.

{{{{{{{{{{HUG}}}}}}}}}} to you. I am so sorry if I haven't commented on your posts sometimes. I come on here sometimes feeling quite down and ashamed that I can't make it past Day 2 sometimes and I just don't want to make anyone irritated with me because my post is all about me....

I think everyone on this thread is so brave and battling away and we all need everyone else.....

I think that we're all on the bus/in the sidecar because we are a little fragile and that things cut a little deeper than if we had thicker skins....

kotinka you jolly well come back too....

I think it can be a little cliquey on Here but then I suppose that is the same in real life as well -

I know what u mean though - I have struggled for two days but come through it - no support in real time frm on here - have looked at other forums tbh and find it more supportive to look through older posts on the years previous threads. Think the thread has changed over the years from what I have seen !!!!

Anyway no desire to drink here :). So all good for me.

Ma sorry to be a voie of doom but your brother was offered help on Tuesday but he didn't want to take it - not trying to be critical same happened to someone close to me - ambulance turned up for and him and he wouldn't get in :( think it is important to Remeber that GP did offer help in case others are reading and are deterred frm going to doctors because of this !

purple I will really miss your kindness and humour if you decide to go. I understand if you feel it's not right for you, and I apologise if we haven't always been supportive when you needed it. You have been through a tough time, what with your Ex-husband, and the Ex-dog (and her Ex-fleas) but you're right the Bus does move fast and it's hard to keep up.

You've reminded me that I should post more often, sometimes real life gets in the way. But I love the Bus and all who ride in her.

I haven't posted very much recently partly because I'm busy but also I just feel so very,very different that I can't quite put it all into words,not without sounding like a massive prat anyway.

I'm 4.5 months sober. I still fancy a nice glass of wine now and again but I don't have it. I've taken part in some of the big book studies with AA and found myself talking about all the things that I've kept hidden and have been drinking on for many,many years. It's a huge relief.All those horrible things said out loud and no one fainted or ran away screaming

I have no idea where I'm going with this post I just wanted to say what's been happening in my life really. I'm a much happier laydee now and much less angry and resentful.Has to be said though, that without the bus and AA i'd be drinking night and after night and not be able to see a way of breaking that cycle.

My post is both pointless and self indulgent, but thank you bus for being here and making me happy.

Guggenheim love your post - When did you start to notice the benefits and when did you stop feel exhausted - I seem to be always tired !! Well done on 4.5 months sober :)

Blimey x-posted with lots of peeps!

I don't agree that the bus is cliquey. There are people who keep it running all the time, perhaps even when they are busy with their own lives. It will always be a place that people come and go from as they need to, because that's the nature of having a problem with alcohol. Hence it being a bus ,I suppose! This bus is here when we need it, doesn't matter who you are or what booze has made you do.

I know that I'm rubbish at name checking - sorry! I'm quite random (in rl too) so sometimes I post and post and sometimes I realise that other people say it better than me so I just nod in agreement.But I've only ever seen support and care for each other on the bus.

lonnika sorry I'm on a mammoth posting session now! Tell me to shut it.
I felt the benefits quite soon but I also missed alcohol. The first 3 weeks were very,very tough and then became a little easier. The exhaustion will go, do not worry The cravings began to reduce,slowly over 3 months but I had a big wobble at the end of 3 months and wanted to drink again. I'm so glad I didn't because i feel so calm now at 4 months.

Please stick with the bus and keep on not drinking, if that makes any kind of sense.

Righto, must take ds out. x

Thanks :). Enjoy your outing :)

Purple, please don't go:(

Just wanted to say I love every single babe reading this post right, yes you!!! I respect every one of you and am sending you strength and support, I feel as though I know every one of you and this thread is woven by every one of us, pardon the pun, RESPECT FELLOW BABES xxx

Hi, I have been watching this thread for awhile and thought of posting, but have never felt quite desperate enough to do so before now (!).

I have an alcohol problem and have known this for some time. I suppose I'm what people might call a high-functioning alcoholic - I have a demanding job and two DC, and I'm almost never noticeably drunk, but I'm very alcohol dependent. I drink a bottle of wine a day give or take a glass or two, and I normally start taking small sips from the morning onward. Most of this drinking is done in clandestine fashion, but my DH has known for years that I have a problem - he just hasn't quite known the extent of it.

I have tried to stop unsuccessfully. I'm not drawn to AA partly because I had a traumatic childhood featuring abuse by very religious parents and am not sure I could cope with any references to a higher power (not even a metaphorical, loosely interpreted one!). And my timetable is so mad already, I don't know where I could fit the meetings in.

Anyway, things came to a head two days ago when my DH was out at a work lecture followed by dinner (we're both academics). I stupidly bought a bottle of fizzy stuff on the way home from the school run, then drank half a bottle left in the fridge plus the bottle of fizz by about 8pm. Usually I'm good at not drinking enough to feel that I've lost control, but next thing I knew I was being violently sick all over the place. I was so upset with myself because I was home with the DC and wasn't in a fit state to look after them and put them to bed. So I called my DH and asked him to come home. I told him the truth and promised to stop drinking (I have never actually promised him before that I would stop; I have just promised him that I would cut down, which I haven't done. ). So he left the restaurant immediately without touching his dinner, came home and put the kids to bed, etc. He hasn't said a word of reproach but he is so happy and delighted that I am going to stop drinking.

I really, really want to stop drinking for the sake of my DH, my DC and myself. But yesterday I felt like shit and today I feel even worse. Headache, nausea and queasiness. (no shakes though; I should look on the bright side! ).

I want to go get one of those mini-bottles of wine so badly. Is it better just to go cold turkey, or to wean myself gradually? The problem is that if I have one drink, I know I will want more.

I know I should see my GP but I really don't want to. It's Friday and I don't think I have a chance of getting in to see him before next week now anyway.

I am about to go across the street to the bookshop now and buy the Allen Carr book and whatever else I can find on not drinking (even though I admit that as an academic, I am very suspicious of any book that offers a quick fix! I know that's horribly snobbish of me).

Oh god if only my head would stop hurting. I can't believe I have done this to myself - let things get to this stage. I honestly just want to curl up under my desk and have a cry. [pathetic]

{HUG} I have no advice, I'm afraid.... But didn't want you to go unanswered. Other babes on this thread will have some good advice.

marfisa well done for being brave and posting here. You've already made the hardest step. Don't think about next week (or last week) just concentrate on getting through tonight. Do you have something to do to take your mind off it, a good film, a chat with a friend? Have you stocked up on other drinks, herbal teas, chocolate?

Keep posting and talking, sometimes it does get busy on here...