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

[Mouseface]

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

Ps why good luck today enjoy your vist and baby my friend it's just a blip I had my biggest one recently and disappointed dh , mother and father so your not alone pick yourself up brush yourself of and start again my lovely

Hello This. Yes, I was very tearful around day 3-6. Hang in there. I ate lots of chocolate! Not sure that's a good idea or not, but I really needed to have something.
Good luck today xx

Thanks soc just want to cry day 4 is normally wen I feel better And have a drink but I'm just not interested love my family touch to disappoint them and really don't feel like drinking at all x

Hi everyone. I'm coming with my worries unfortunately . I'm on day 10 AF. I have been feeling ok until saturday then I felt completely shattered, without energy. Then this morning I woke with a big headache and I'm also experiencing vertigos. Do you think it's related to me stopping alcohol ? Also, I'm eating a lots of sugary things and drinking a lots of lemonade (I had about 8 liters last week:-(..do things settle ? I can't stop :-(

Morning babes, back on the wagon AGAIN. I've decided to use my fall from grace positively, I can see the triggers and learn from them. We are renovating one of the bedrooms and the house is upside down and it's untidiness makes me anxious, also my crohn's has been playing up and the pain wears me down. I now see these factors led me straight into the clutches of the wine witch. I will learn and move on. Thanks for all your kindness my lovely friends xxx

Morning, tis me, Mouse

This - yes, by day 3-4 the reality hit me of what I'd been doing and it scared me that my emotions were coming back to the surface again... Sweetie, Soc is right, it'll pass, it will and I can second come comfort eating. :) Lots of tea and biscuits or hot chocolate and shortbreads... Yummy!

Just take each day as it comes and let the tears out, you're starting to heal, you're starting to understand, you're starting to 'get it' and we're all here for you xxx

Why - MASSIVE HUGS to you today sweetheart, I can't imagine how you must feel before you see him, the emotions running through you must be overwhelming..... I have had to be without Nemo at times in his life when he's been fighting for every breath but never like this, my heart goes out to you, keep fighting lovely lady.

Keep going, keep looking forward, and remember why you are here on the Bus xxx I admire you so much xxx

Dame - are you okay? You sound really spooked by the dream...... I dream the most vivid dreams that I can smell things, feel things, taste foods and drinks and feel the sun on my skin, the wind on my face and the sheer terror when I have a nightmare...........

I'm so sorry if my post about my past and my drinking induced that dream, or rather nightmare. Are you okay? Please PM me if you want to, I've got to go out in a while - food shopping, exciting! - I hope you are able to clear it from your mind sweetheart xxx

I'll be back later - well done to all of you super duper brave Babes who managed another or their first sober weekend! :) Fantastic! And, if today is day one, then go YOU! xxx

Baby - Good for you, I'm really pleased to see that post from you this morning! KICK ASS!! :) xxx

Ratty - sounds to me as though your blood sugar is spiking and falling with all the sugar you're putting in and the lemonade won;t help..... you could be dehydrated. Try and get some plain water on board of reduce the sugary drinks... and make sure that you eat little and often, small varied meals.

If you're still feeling like this, a trip to the GP would be a good idea. xxx

ladame I love your sentence "If it was so easy, it wouldn't be so important" How true that is!

Bad dreams... hmm. Last week I had one of those night terrors (these are like weird nightmares that you don't really remember much about, other than a feeling of pure terror - more often suffered by toddlers which freaks out their parents)

I start screaming which causes my DH to nearly have a heart attack, and on one memorable occasion to put his hand over my month to try and shut me up (he was half-asleep, but it really didn't help my terror!)

I hadn't had one for several months and I know exactly what caused it - stress, alcohol and lack of sleep.

So I've got to make a strong effort to avoid these triggers. Apart from not wanting to be strangled by my long-suffering DH, our neighbours have got a new baby and they really don't need to hear that in the middle of the night. I've no idea why I hate going to sleep early but alcohol makes it worse. Early nights for me this week.

joey thanks x

Baby There you are, that sounds a bit more like you!

Ma hope you're feeling better today.

all babes wishing you all a nice, calm, unstressful Monday.

ladame I have never been to France but I imagine you often in a little stone cottage with chickens and growing your own veg and baking too. I imagine your daughter to have long flowing hair, amazing style and long brown legs!! How long have you lived there? Does you daughter speak French fluently? Feed my imagination my lovely friend xxx

Evening all.
Monday is over. If I make it to 8pm I'm generally ok. This bus is amazing. I'm sorry if I don't keep up with everyone, but I read everything and it all helps. I've never done this well before and it's in part to the bus.
:-)
I've eaten my weight in chocolate and have a jug of water handy to remind myself to keep drinking. Especially in the afternoon I start feeling a bit sick. I'm sure it's withdrawals, but chocolate and water seem to keep me going ok.
Good luck to everyone. xxxx

Baby Have PM'd you

It is Monday morning (for me at least!) and I have come through my first weekend sober in quite sometime. The headache and headcold are my current companions but they actually make it easier, my worry now (and I do like a worry) is that when I feel physically better I will really want a drink. I have this 'reward' thing that I have to watch out for.

Socfish you are doing so great and I am keen to stay on your heels (no pressure then )

I also find it hard to keep up with everything but read it all. I meant to reply to Indie/Inside the other day about my lovely wake up but then I got distracted and missed the moment. Being present with the children is EXACTLY one of my motivators.

ladame I also love your sentence "If it was so easy, it wouldn't be so important" Brilliant.

Anyway, from a new babe who said she would sit quietly Have a lovely Monday

beach happy to have you on my heals. It will keep me on my toes! And don't be quiet. Sometimes I post here with no other reason than to keep myself focused and someone to talk to.

I also worry about the weeks ahead and the 'reward' thing. At some point I know I'm going to want to reward myself. But I've got to keep reminding myself of how much better this life is than being either drunk and/or hungover and hating the whole fucking lot of it, but being unable to stop. I have not woken up feeling guilty for almost 2 weeks. That is pretty special.

Socfish Thanks You are so right too. That circular habit of feeling awful, knowing that drinking doesn't really help and yet felling compelled to keep doing it anyway. Madness and yet so easy to be in. Waking up IS fantastic when the shame and guilt fairies aren't waiting for you.

There was a thread on here yesterday in chat about drinking and i was honestly [shocked] at the amount of posters that said they never drink at home, maybe Christmas or a BBQ but wouldn't think about it otherwise. There are lots of people who don't drink, don't think about it much either and I am intrigued. Having alcohol as part of my life is so 'normal' I need to work on creating a new picture to work towards.

beaches you are so right many people don't even drink alcohol at all, look at Davina McCall she looks amazing, is full of fun, a great mum and wife and has a true zest for life and doesn't touch a drop. I'm Shamed to admit that when I meet people who say. " I don't drink" I presume they are recovering alcoholics, how bad is that!!!! I really want to go away for a nice relaxing weekend but keep putting it off cos I'm scared I'll drink, all I can think about is pub lunches and open fires, why can't I just Bag a Munro like a bloody normal person!!!! Aaaarrrrggghhh

Hi all
Day two here again for me going to cook a roast dinner with loads of choc cake for after need a full tum
X take care x

Hi babes,
To those who know me think I may have hit rock bottom.
Day one.
So glad you are here today.x
Love to all you fantastic ladiesx

Hi Rural I remember you. What's happened (if you want to say). Are you ok?

Hi Rural

Roast dinner sounds really good Tango

Baby Bag a Munro....like a normal person...??? I had to google it, couldn't come up with any sensible ideas as to what it meant! A climbing challenge, I now understand. While that sounds really appealing I know subconsciously I would be lining up the finish line at the open fire with refreshments. It is so embedded at times. When I meet people who announce they don't drink I am ashamed to admit I think 'well we won't have anything in common then' That is awful and says more about my insecurities than theirs. By the way I think Davina McCall is in recovery isn't she? But i agree she is a wonderful role model.

ladame thank you for PM I loved it. Everything I hoped for xxx

Hi, I have lurked on this thread for a long time but after this weekend I am reaching out for help. I don't drink every day but my binges are ridiculous. This weekend my DD, only 22 months, saw me drunk for the first time and the self loathing I feel is unbelievable. I don't seem to have a stop button and this time I've made myself very ill too. Spent all yesterday vomiting and haven't made work today.
I have told my husband I accept I must change. I realise I probably need to stop drinking altogether but I'm terrified the next social occasion I will think surely I can have a couple but it won't stop at that.
I am ashamed and hoping someone understands how I feel?

Hi (unhappy) you have come to the right place. The first post is always the hardest so well done to you
I am in much the same position as you at present so won't be much help but someone will be along who can there are some wise and wonderful people on this bus.
(ladame) remember you too, hope things going well, not read back yet just had to post and get back on the bus before my collapsing world totally disappeared. All I will say is have managed to fall out with, hurt and alienate the people I care about most and really don't know if I will be able to regain their love and trust.
I HAVE TO TRY. Day 1 so far so good but so hard.

Unhappytimes I need help too I do drink every day and I do it in secret too. Ive been lurking for a while but I seriously need help. I'm drinking earlier and earier and noone knows. I'm slightly sozzled by afternoon. I hate the guilt, I hate the feeling I just dont know how to stop. People dont even know how much Ive had I seem to hide it well. I cant believe its come to this, I used to be a vibrant young lass that loved animals and now Im a secret alcoholic mum. I need to sort this out. I used to be addicted to some thing else but sorted myself out when pregnant and I seemed to have swaped addictions. Counselling soesnt work either. I love my ds so much, this cannot continue, how do i stop? I live in a pub which does not help.