The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Driving Through The Autumn Scenes, Searching For Our Sober Dreams.

[Mouseface]

Hello, I'm Mouse :) Welcome to the Bus, (aka Gerald ).

I'm one of the Brave Babes on board this fabulous Bus of travellers, all in search of their sobriety in one form or another.

We have those who drink in moderation, those who have a set pattern of days on and off the booze, and we have posters who have been sober for minutes, hours, days, weeks, months or years.

There are two lines that the Bus has painted down the side, one on each -

The Vulnerable Need Our Support, Not Our Judgement and Alcohol Fosters Inertia

So, if you think you're drinking too much or you're worried about another person, then come find a seat.

We get through our days chatting about all sorts of things, life is, after all, full of plenty of things to fuel our desire to drink, and we're all very different people

However, our common goal is sobriety. :)

The Last Thread

The Reason We're Here - The First Thread

Hi all,

Wondering if it would be ok to join you all on the bus. It's taken me a long time to actually persuade myself to write this post because I'm up to my eyeballs in denial - but - the way I drink is making me miserable. It's a problem. And I really, seriously, need to do something about it.

Hello all, okay for me to come back? Managing my drinking is not working for me, and is seriously affecting my depression. So I'm not drinking today.

Afternoon, tis me, Mouse

Well blow me over and call me Fernando! This Bus is bursting to the rafters!

Fabulous to have you all here :) I love how busy this Bus is, with all of the lovely newer posters, and of course the returning ones and indeed, let's not forget the fab ones who are here, holding the fort day in and day out!

I am so sorry that I've not been around to support you all and give you warm Huggles™, hot chocolate, bacon sarnies, fleecy blankets, fluffy pillows, etc......as I said, I've become entangled in a bit of a bullying situation that I can't go into but one that has made me have to fall on a very spineless man's sword to cover his jelly like back. And that is NOT a euphemism. Not in the least.

Anyway, well done to you all for posting such honest posts and for coming back. I know that MN are running an alcohol awareness Blog at the moment which you can have a look at JUST HERE to see if you agree with the five point test....

I think for most of us, if we're here, then we already know why.

Anyway, It's fab to meet you all, sorry not to name check back, I'll be back later on as I have to go back into Battle now!!

Good luck *Mouse, give 'em shit!! x

GreenEggs and Sunshine Welcome on board. Everyone is entitled to a Bus ticket (and/or a sidecar pass if necessary). Take a seat and the Babes will be along shortly to give you support and advice. Will be back later, have a parent/teacher meeting. Well done on not drinking today Sunshine. Green Admitting that you have a problem is a great starting point. Laters p'taters! x

• GreenEggs

Hi babes, welcome newbies, hi to

Hi to oldies (that sounds bad) can't stay for now, lots of running around today just wanted to say this bus is sooo amazing and will catch up later, love to mouse I'm a very competent rider (steady on filthy babes) any problems I will gallop down from Scotland to assist, how the hell can a mouse ride a horse!!!!!!! Xxxxxx

Hey Baby, as a competent rider myself, too, we could flank Mouse on her ride into justice! The sight of a horse riding Mouse, Wolf and Baby should scare the beejesus out of anyone! Lol! xx

Afternoon babes.

After a sleepless night, I got myself to the community alcohol team and referred myself. Got there sober so was shaking and vomiting but thought it better than under the influence.

They did actually ask if I wanted to have a drink before the assessment to calm down but i declined.

2 hour assessment with 2 lovely nurses who coped with me vomiting through it. Was completely honest.

They want me to do an inpatient detox which is the last thing I want. I want to beat this myself. Just a little less every day and I can do this. I know I can.

They won't do a community detox because of the seizures.

Am seeing the doctor at the centre next week and having some blood tests (they can even book me in for a smear ).

They did not judge. They were direct. They sent me home for a drink which I have just had so it is time to get up and clear up this tip. Saving the rest for later.

Could not have taken this step without all of your support. Will repay it forward when back on my feet.

I will fight this and I will come out stronger.

Hope you are all doing ok. Too many posters for me to even remember who has said what.

THANK YOU ALL x

Sharpkat, that was an awesome thing that you did, well done.

I have a GP appointment on Friday, not sure whether to be honest or not. I'll be back on the Antabuse by then & can't really see the point in raking through the relapse when I will have done that at a SMART meeting before then anyway.

sharp you rock! So pleased for you today!

Welcome new babes, make yourself comfy.

Can't nc as brain too slow at the mo to remember what's going on up thread but just a couple of mentions. Thank you baby :) purps good to have you back wise lady and hi to guggs well done babe!

Well I am literally drowning here in shopping, washing, cooking, cleaning, working, home work etc etc it's like a massive mountain I can't see over. Even the bloody dog is sat here barking at me and making demands! Little wonder mothers turn to wine... Thankfully O have non in the house but I have just committed major diet fail and stuffed myself with chocolate!

Demonica - think it is best to be honest about the relapse.

I have learnt that honesty is the best policy with regards to the alcohol.

Look - I've told my Mum the truth

Good luck on Friday x

Sharpkat, you rock:)

Bloody well done Sharp!! It took such guts. I'm hoping you feel less alone with this insipid problem now? Sounds like you've had a hell of a day - but all in a good cause, you must be worn out love? Do you have anyone to phone if it gets bad? You done good, girl!!

Hey Greensback. Shut the dog in the garden, shove all the shopping in a spare space, grab a coffee, put your feet up and watch something indulgent on iPlayer. Then - tackle the rest of it all. If it's still daunting, do the 'advert break clean/sort' method. Watch something on the box and everytime the ads come on, leap up and achieve something in the 3 mins. You'd be surprised how much you can get done that way.Works for me. Good luck. xx

Thanks so much typhoon

I have washed up, taken the rubbish out, changed the beds and hung the laundry up to dry.

Not a lot but more than most days. Tomorrow I need to get it clean.

I think unfortunately I need to drink little and often during the day but at least I won't withdraw.

You just watch me beat this

Sorry Green missed your post. Thank you x

And purps I missed your post as was posting.

I feel a lot more positive today.

And that is all down to the being on the bus and the support you have all given me since I hit rock bottom

Wow, so many posts but want to respond to demonica's question re my bro's rehab. The drugs were provided by the gp so no cost and he was taken in by the salvation army as he was technically homeless and my elderly mother was unable to supervise the taking of the rehab drugs. He moved into a homeless men's hostel and got a counsellor and links to all the medical help he needed. By the time this happened he was dying...couldn't walk, couldn't stop crying, had the shakes, couldn't recognise own family or know where he was etc. The sally cared for him when no-one else would help and we couldn't afford private rehab. He is still there, but now in a tiny flat owned by the SA so he is living independently but still able to access support. He goes to AA three times a week, works in a community garden, a local charity shop and with the SA workforce doing gardens.
He has joined the local philately group, the local, history group and has just been referred into training to become a facilitator within his mental health group. He is happy, well and approaching six months sober.
sharp and others struggling....it can be done!

sharp you rock. so glad you came here. keep going forward brave babe, take the residential rehab really think that sort of thing will help win the battle .

sorry sharp mean't inpatient detox. You sound so positive, keep going, keep posting, as you said you are going to beat this. XXX

Thanks rural. That has made me cry.

I would love to do inpatient detox but it would break my mum's heart. I know that. She would never forgive me for not beating this myself. I have no other family.

I have asked her to pay for it before and the answer has always been no.

Not sure i can let her down as she has so much going on in her life.

I do really appreciate all of the support this thread gives me. I had never realised that there were so many people out there who care such for people they don't know in RL.

I could not have done it without you brave babes x

aww sharp sorry didn't mean to upset you. Sort of want you to take all the help you can get. You sound strong brave and ready to beat this, so you just keep taking steps forward, beat it your way. Keep going and whatever happens keep posting. XX

sharp inpatient detox IS beating it yourself. It is recognising when you need help, asking for that help and then accepting it.You still have to do the hard stuff yourself. You still have to refuse to lift that glass, day in, day out. You still need to find that inner strength. You are being strong enough to accept the help of others.
You CAN do this!

Hi all, haven't caught up with the thread yet but wanted to just give a wave to ma as we bumped into each other on another thread but didn't want to derail

See you later x

mouse I cant pm on this tablet for some reason. Are you OK?