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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Travelling Far And Wide, With Sobriety In Mind.

1000 replies

Mouseface · 04/09/2013 15:02

Welcome to the Bus one and all! I'm Mouse, one of the Brave Babes :)

We have a new line that we're taking with us on every journey, thanks to one of our wonderful Babes, Curry -

Alcohol Fosters Inertia.

So when you're drinking excessively, nothing changes, or improves, the sharp edges of our lives just becomes that little bit less in focus, blurred and all you feel is numb. Then like shit (emotionally, as well as physically) if you're honest! Who wants that?

You are only ever better/pacified/happy whilst the alcohol is in your system. And that doesn't last........... it's not a cure, it's a quick fix. A sticking plaster.

So, if you think you're drinking too much, and want some friendly advice, or just to come and have a chat, get to know others who are just like you, who won't judge or criticise you, then hop on board! :)

We're a really mixed bunch and all at different stages of our journey to find sobriety or certainly drinking in a more controlled, less dangerous way.

And, if you'd like to see where we've been so far, have a look at the links below :)

LAST THREAD

THE STARTING POINT AND WHY WE'RE ALL HERE

OP posts:
aliasjoey · 19/09/2013 09:51

ladame our dog sits in the suitcase too! He worries we might leave him behind! Last Christmas when we were all over the place, he actually took to sleeping in there...

aliasjoey · 19/09/2013 10:11

ma good to hear about your brother, but hey don't beat yourself up because you haven't done the same. He was in such a low place before, the difference to now is much more obvious - whereas you keep having little successes - smaller ones maybe, but more ongoing... I hope that makes sense. Smile

SocFish · 19/09/2013 10:24

Evening here. Thanks for all the good wishes. Going to yoga tonight so that's tonight sorted and then tomorrow off to my first AA meeting. I'm completely terrified at the thought, but I think I need to go. Especially as they meet on a Friday night. I want all the ammunition I can gather to get through the next few weeks and months.

Sobriety is incredible. The lack of guilt is amazing and not having to wonder where I hid those bottles. Or try and bluff my way through conversations the next day that relate to the night before that I can't remember them. And remembering going to bed and being able to read again! There's nothing good about drinking. My brain seems to be functioning again too which helps :-). What's left of it anyway.

Good luck for today everyone. And thank you again. This is a really nice place.
xx

babyjane1 · 19/09/2013 10:57

soc your doing brilliantly, you sound so level headed and calm and prepared, that's a great start and yoga us amazing, I'm new to it but thought flippantly it would be easy since I used to do lot of ballet, the next day I felt like id been run over I was so sore but thats good cos it took my mind off the ww!!! It also calms me, I'm very highly strung!. inside my cocker spaniel is looking at me thinking why am I laughing hysterically while alone, your "butch bitch" made me
Laugh for ages. I wonder what it would be like if we all met up, every one of us, I think my pelvic floor would be worthless by the end. "Why" show yourself? Thi may be a bit fromagey but I LOVE YOU GUYS xxxx ps flumpy my high kick stills cuts it so CC and WW are about to receive a scissor kick from a strong, scottish lass,,, HHIIIIIYYYYAAAAAA, nae bother at aw x x

babyjane1 · 19/09/2013 11:00

louisaaa I did giggle at bit at your story, a nervous laugh me thinks, great to hear from you xxxxxx

MrsMiniver · 19/09/2013 11:08

Hello Babes, really need some support, have been here before but not for ages. Can't share with anyone in RL - too ashamed :( I referred myself to the charmingly named Crime Reduction Initiative (formerly Drug & Alchohol Services who I'd used before) because I was concerned about my on-going problems with binge-drinking. I'm not a danger to anyone (or myself) and made that clear to them at the assessment. However following my assessment I decided not to engage with them because I felt totally out of place and that their services weren't right for me.

I thought that was the end of it but was called by Children's Services yesterday because CRI had got in touch with them as they had safe-guarding concerns re: my 13 year-old DD. At the beginning of my assessment with CRI I'd been told categorically that they wouldn't share any information with a 3rd party unless I was informed first. Spoke to Children's Services and advised them DD was well looked-after and happy and no problems on that score. But they want to talk to ex-H to get his side of the story. Am totally mortified because he used to have a real go at me for drinking. Children's Services were also involved about 6 years ago around the time of my divorce because I had some problems around drinking, but after they'd investigated me and pronounced me a fit mother, I heard no more.

I'm terrified this will escalate and just need some hand-holding please or advice from anyone else who's been where I am. Am not drinking BTW - this has made me really knock it on the head. Thanks for reading.

CrabbyBigBottom · 19/09/2013 11:33

Ma I'm going to post your virtual kiss up the arse on here because I don't particularly want to advertise my excessive drinking on the other thread any more than I have done already. Hmm

I used to post on here regularly (Mia, for anyone who remembers) but I didn't feel like I had a lot of advice to contribute as I didn't want to stop drinking entirely and am pretty crap at cutting down, too. I just lurk from time to time now, but it's still great to keep track of the faces I remember and read about people overcoming their demons.

I was going to post to LaTrollope too, but you seem happier to do SW instead and I figure that this WOE doesn't work for everyone - there's more than one way to skin a cat, etc.

But Ma, I kind of feel like I know you a bit, having read your posts for a couple of years. I remember you when you were DeterminedMa, and you were bloody brilliant - so focused and positive. You can do this, I'm sure of it - you've just got to put your mind to it. You did a 5k run if I remember rightly, and there's no way in the fucking world I could do that!

Bootcamp is really hard for the first two weeks. Your body craves the sugar it's used to and you're in withdrawal, basically. I personally think that drinkers have an even harder time of it as we are used to getting an easy source of energy in wine - your body will use that before it turns to fat burning, as it's much easier to process. I'm not 100% convinced by the whole 'ketogenically adapted' thing, tbh, but I do know that your body adjusts within the first couple of weeks and the sugar cravings go away! Honestly!

BUT... This doesn't happen if you cheat!! I can't reiterate this enough - cheating just prolongs the unpleasant symptoms and the cravings. If you can accept that you will feel like absolute crap for 2-5 days (treat yourself as though you've got a virus or something) then you do start to feel better and when you feel good on this WOE, you feel brilliant - clearer, more energetic, much less hungry, not craving sugar and wine all the time.

When I'm eating 'normally', I drink pretty much every night. We aim to have Mon and Tues AF but I usually manage one day if that. The amount of time and energy I spend thinking about whether or not I'm going to drink, bargaining and arguing with myself, then feeling crap afterwards because I failed to stick to my resolution yet again, is staggering. Plus the health implications of drinking 30+ units a weeks (at a very conservative estimate) and the anxiety from the drinking and the worrying about drinking.

But when I low-carb, I find it 100 times easier not to drink. I find that I don't start that dialogue (which always ends with a glass in my hand) nearly so often. It creeps back up again the longer I do it, admittedly, but it does make a difference. I've only had two glasses of wine (Sunday) since I started BC and I feel sooooooooo much better for it. Saved a shitload of money too. My point is, that if you can accept that for two weeks you're not going to drink or eat carby stuff, and that you'll probably feel like shit, and miss your usual emotional crutches and comforts, and just keep your head down and get on with it, then at the end of that fortnight you'll feel pretty amazing. It's just two weeks out of your life! Cancel any social stuff, batten down the hatches and look on it like having the flu - all you've got to do is rest, drink buckets of water and only eat/drink what you're supposed to. Take some supplements and maybe some herbs, warn your family that you're in a bit of a fragile state (I know your DH is a bit of an arse but just avoid him! Grin) and hide from the world. It's just two weeks!

After that, if nothing's changed, you're still craving wine and sugar/carbs and feeling crap, then you've got the whole rest of your life to drink wine and eat whatever you like.

CrabbyBigBottom · 19/09/2013 11:39

Oh and while I'm here, Joey I'm sorry to hear that your DD is in such turmoil at the moment. It must be really hard for them starting secondary school - having to renegotiate everything that they experienced in primary school, dealing with all the social stuff as well as finding their way around a bigger, more intimidating school and facing up to all the academic expectations and pressures. I totally would let the school know and find out about counselling from them - they must be used to the Yr 7s struggling to adjust and it's better to tackle this sooner rather than later, imho. Mia xx

Ladame · 19/09/2013 11:47

Hi Crabby - I should have mentioned before, I have Lupus and the protein load of LCing can affect my kidneys. I do like LCing and have tried Atkins before, but apart from carb flu, I tend to get bad backaches with my kidneys iyswim, so not for me I'm afraid Smile

Indie Yes, the house will be empty but cleaner, tidier and no huge arguments between strong opinionated stroppy teenager and strong opinionated stroppy husband (peace will reign, bliss!!). Thanks for the offer though xx

CrabbyBigBottom · 19/09/2013 12:04

One more thing, whilst I'm avoiding the housework on a roll...

LaTrollope I know exactly what you mean about that feeling of being able to face another meal of fat or protein... Quite often at the beginning I actually gag eating fatty foods. I get so that I'm hungry but have no appetite for anything I'm allowed to have, if that makes any sense. I used to have doubts and think 'oh this is my body telling me that this isn't the right WOE for me' but then I thought about the fact that following my body's impulses had led me to be two stone overweight with a drink problem. Grin

I found that this only happens during the day, really - I very much enjoy my evening meals - so the answer is to find something that I can always eat. For me my lunch most days is mozzarella, baby tomatoes (3.1g carb so just about ok for bootcamp), a slice of ham and a bit of homemade pesto if I've got any. Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the mozzarella. I can always eat that as it's so mild and fresh tasting, and it's easy to stick in a lunchbox too. Bootcamp light is easier as we can eat nuts, berries, occasional more carby veg etc. I know it seems really restrictive, but there is method to the madness, honest! Also, after two weeks completely without sugar, your tastes change quite radically, and strawberries/raspberries that you would have put sugar on previously, taste incredibly sweet and luscious. Especially with a huge dollop of clotted cream. There are plenty of treats on the WOE once you get used to it.

A final thing. I know I've said this before, and I know it goes against the status quo advice given to people trying to quit drinking, but I think that replacing alcohol with sweet stuff and junk food is really counterproductive. It doesn't tackle the sugar addiction that I suspect is a component of many people's drinking, which leaves the door open for the booze cravings to keep knocking on the door. Also, I know the oft repeated mantra that you should 'tackle what kills you first', and I totally agree with that in people whose habit is seriously compromising their health. But for people (like me) who are functional drinkers, drinking too and sabotaging their health, but who aren't physically addicted, then I think that replacing one damaging habit with another is a bad idea. Obesity and a high sugar diet have a whole host of health risks associated with them - just as much as moderate to heavy drinking, I'd say. Eating crap and putting weight on after you stop drinking is more likely to make you feel shit about yourself and drive you back towards your comforting, unjudgemental friend alcohol, too. Wink

CrabbyBigBottom · 19/09/2013 12:42

Cross posted with you LaDame - could have saved myself a lecture there! Grin If you have SLE (sorry to hear that btw - horrid disease) and compromised kidney function, then no, a high protein diet wouldn't be suitable at all! Have you tried eating a low GI diet? That, to me, is the most balanced and sensible way of eating long term. You won't see such dramatic weight loss, but it will happen and it's much less restrictive. You can't eat loads of fat, cream, cheese etc though, obviously!

Anneisnotmyname · 19/09/2013 13:10

Very interesting post crabby. I fond that my sugar cravings are worse after drinking the night before. For me I'm pretty sure that drinking sends them into over drive although I know that's not usual. I tried boot camp light a while ago and felt better for it but it's too expensive for me unless I live off eggs!

babyjane1 · 19/09/2013 14:34

mrs can you search my old posts (babyjane1) including words " social services" I went through something very som

Greeneyed · 19/09/2013 14:36

mrsminiver I'm sorry this has happened. baby has been through this and I'm sure when she see's this will advise

Greeneyed · 19/09/2013 14:37

Oops cross posted!

LRDMaguliYaPomochTebeSRaboti · 19/09/2013 14:46

Hi babes. I fell off the bus (though not off the wagon, completely, as I've done pretty well with no-booze days this month). So picking myself up and getting back on again.

MrsMin - so sorry to hear this, how scary. I expect it is just routine that they have to follow up, but I do think it's difficult because it makes you think twice about asking for help, doesn't it?

I am nerving myself up to refer myself to the same thing (they call it Lasars round here, but it looks like it is the same).

I don't know if this sounds silly, but when I spoke to my GP, I explained I was part of an online group (I didn't mention which one) where we were all trying to control our drinking, and he said that was a good sign I was properly trying. I wonder if perhaps you should say that? Because I do think often they are trying to get a sense of how much we're committed to really trying to stop.

babyjane1 · 19/09/2013 14:49

something very similar happened yo me after going to the doctor for anxiety and mentioned my bottle a night habit to cope with anxiety and I wanted advice, you can read what happened next, if you need to talk or want reassurance you are welcome to PM me, it's standard procedure now, it's against the law to be in any way inebriated with a minor in the house, the law has changed and it's causing us poor sods who want help to get witch hunted!! I'm so sorry for what's happening but it's just procedure, everything turned out fine and I stopped drinking, wrong motivation but I was duly humiliated xxx

aliasjoey · 19/09/2013 14:51

crabbymia thank you, it's swings and roundabouts here, this week DH and DD have been much happier... but now I've got work and money worries. There's always something I do wonder if other people just have an easier life (moan, moan)

Picked up my prescription yesterday, and there was a note that said

  1. seroxat not included because I'd requested it too early (well duh, they were the ones who messed about trying to tally a 28-day prescription for 1 drug with a 30-day prescription for another) and

  2. an essential piece of medical equipment which I need had been discontinued.

babyjane1 · 19/09/2013 14:56

ma you just need to get your mojo back, I agree with our other babes, if you can run 5k against Scottish wind, your a feisty Scottish lass, don't put all this pressure on yourself , I followed your every post with Richard and your a bloody star and don't you forget it!!' Xxx

Ladame · 19/09/2013 15:06

Crabby I'll look into the low GI diet, thanks x Sorry you went to all that effort when we cross-posted, but it was much appreciated quand même cherie Grin

Ladame · 19/09/2013 15:06

Ma stop it, do I have to come over there? Do I?

Isindesidecar · 19/09/2013 15:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Isindesidecar · 19/09/2013 15:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Tanggodown7 · 19/09/2013 15:51

Someone stop me from going shop ;( iv just been in bought just dinner but I just need/ want a bloody drink I'm so tired wanna curl up and die right now ;(

Tanggodown7 · 19/09/2013 15:56

I think I'm in 'fuck it mode '
Feel so sad wanna cry and run away don't think I can do this ;(

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