The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Kicking The *Wine Witch* Into Touch, Because Enough Is Enough!

[Mouseface]

Hello, tis me, Mouse :)

This is a thread for those who are worried about their drinking habits towards alcohol, or/and drugs.

Even if you think that you are drinking more tonight than last night or this week than last, come and have a chat, find a seat, we don't bite!

We are a supportive Bus, full of very different posters, from various backgrounds. Some of us drink in moderation, allowing ourselves the odd glass or two as a treat, or just because we're in control of our drinking for that day.

One Day At A Time.

We have those who abstain completely, and those who wake every day to Day 1 and hope with all of their hearts that they can, and will, make it to Day 2.

If you've followed our journey to date, you'll know who most of us are by now :) and we kind of have two 'sayings', that sum up who we are -

1. • The Vulnerable Need Our Support, Not Our Judgement
2. • Alcohol Fosters Inertia

That said, we will not have any bashing of support groups, such as AA or Community Support Teams or even your own GP.

This Bus is a place for honesty, sanctuary and safety, something that has taken four years for a number of very special, very lovely, very honest and caring Babes to establish.

So, come find a seat, grab something warm from the supply cupboard at the back of the Bus as it's going to be cold tonight! Brrrr!

And, if you'd like to read back over some of our history, HERE IS THE LAST THREAD

And, HERE IS WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

We hope to meet you soon :) xxx

PS Isinde wasn't the Martini slogan 'Anytime, anyplace, anywhere' . That must have been when the brainwashing started. I blame the 70's

Adverts like that made my parents feel sophisticated by dressing up the gin and sharing it with friends whilst floating around in those long dresses with wide sleeves.

That's what I saw growing up - perfectly normal for every to drink - anytime, anyplace, anywhere. They even took wine to the beach as part of a 'picnic'.

No wonder my idea of normal drinking is warped. Anyway, not going to give my children the same message

Have a good day babes x

Day 7 one whole week AF yess! Mew are you there lovely all set for day 1 keep posting we will get you through I found that them sugary laces help wen you get the alcohol craving . It's your body asking for sugar not the alcohol also I've you read back there is a drill you can follow till the craving passes x

Thanks isinde feeling human again can wait for physical benefits to arrive ie weight hair etc where is baby these days ?

I'm sorry I posted and ran on Friday. I've just been so busy. H is working away for a few months, so we only see him Friday night to Sunday late afternoon too- making weekends difficult to post ATM.

Annie- your pattern and history sounds like mine. I also agree with Thisis, that for me drinking has become habitual rather than necessary. But difficult to take that first step off.

I did buy some knitting wool and a pattern and started knitting yesterday. That'll keep me busy evenings.

I had a bottle of wine and one glass left in the house on Friday. I drank that split between Friday and Saturday night, and havnt drunk Sunday or Monday. So it's a start.

I can't settle on an intention though. I'm not sure whether cut down or stop.

Thisis, well done you!

Thanks one I'm like you want to do controlled but not sure if I can because wen I do drink I end up binging then going on a bender so I've decided to try AF November and see if my attitudes change towards drinking after that x

Prrrrrrrr... Roar! This bus don't bite! It rocks

Hay if we are fluffy who cares this bus works we have it all here fluff and all, hot cock you name it gerold has it all

Yes it was a beer avoiding tactic as I'm skint now till end of week day two today x

at the fur bus! I imagined Gerald was a little less racey than that

well done isinde and thisis !

I have had an unexpected and unplanned Day 5. Something weird happened last night, which I still don't understand.

I had wine and didn't want it

On one hand, this is wonderful - to not feel the need, urge, desire.

On the other hand - it's terrifying. What, not want to drink?! What if it carries on, the thought of never wanting a drink, of losing that lovely warm fuzzy feeling...

I actually feel quite bereft and panicky. God, how stupid does that sound. I'm at a weird stage where if I don't want a drink, will I go ahead and have it anyway, out of habit, or fear of what would happen or a terror of becoming 'dry'.

Sorry for the babble...

I think the horse is called Susan.

Hey joey I have been thinking about your post and why you might feel panicky at not fancying wine again. First of all I thought how bloody lucky , then I wondered if it comes from that fear of change many of us have. Not being comfortable about a shift in identity, you are a drinker right? If not that then what? I can't actually remember the last time I asked myself whether I actually wanted a drink. I was either having a drink or not having a drink. Whether I wanted it or never crossed my mind. So maybe it is a sign that your habit is changing, that instead of just automatically drinking the wine you are stopping to think about it and lo and behold sometimes the answer might be no! Either way, I hope you are having a good day 6.

Mumbles to self

Joey I've had that happen before. When I first joined the bus I got to day six and drank for no reason. It was almost like I panicked at the thought of having a sober week. Like I was losing something.

I'm at day seven too thisis, can't quite believe it. I'm really hoping to do dry November but I'm trying not to think too far ahead.

Well done on staying sober in the hotel isinde :) I'm wondering myself how many times I've said 'oh I can't not drink it's Saturday/there's an open bottle, I can't not have some' I've not even tried. It's like I've sleep walked into this habit and told myself it was impossible to overcome so didn't even try.

Few I'm also unsure of my long term goal, probably controlled drinking. In the meantime I want to have as many af days as possible. I think this is a really good place to explore your issues with drinking, and work outwwhere you want to be.

Hope your feeling better soon mouse. I think you give so much of yourself to others you must be at risk of running on empty xx

I thought the horse was called Geraldine, or did I dream that

LRD named the horse, I do remember that much.

I think it is an amazing achievement to not drink at a hotel overnight, Isinde.

Oh and here's one I might find tricky- having half a bottle in the house and not bothering.

But something- I am a gardener, and when I gave up smoking I dreaded more than anything the thought of not being able to stop and have one in the garden.

It was tough fir two days, and I never thought about it after that. Maybe we dread more than is actually is dreadful, IFSWIM.

Just checking in. Good to are all you lovely babes kicking ass.

Life still one endless debacle after the next but I'm still sober.

I like the idea of a horse-called-Susan. I also like the idea of a horse-called-Man (after a man called Horse). Maybe we could have a few horses following the bus and if anyone needs to catch up they can just whistle for Manny, or Susan, or Geraldine.

Have I finally lost the plot?

< Snuggles under fluffy blanket with Thurso >

Well done why you are totally amazing

Isinde how long is your dsis visiting for? If it's just one night, I reckon you could grit your teeth and get through it. It would be another achievement, another 'first' (or at least first for a long time) and you would feel so great the next day.

I think Onefewer is right. It is never as hard as we thought it was going to be, we just have to be so determined to get through the peak of the trigger and then it gets easier.

Btw babes I'm doing dry November too and am having a bit of a sort out of the house at the same time. Keeps me busy pottering around in the evenings when there's not much else to do.

Ladame did you have your first day at work today? How was it.

Mouse and everyone else, mwah x

with smoking, this is how I coped.

Several times each of the first few days I wanted one. A few times randonly after that.

But because I had already committed to stopping, i sort of had a mental image of me flicking the thought away out of my head, a bit like a fly. Its almost like saying to myself, 'oh, dont go there- you know you said you wont do that, so why think about it'. That has helped.

I feel I deserve a glass of wine tonight, after two days, but im not going to. So there.

Isinde- im not keen on Firs in gardens, as it happens. Very 50s.

Fluffy hot cocks? firs?
Have you lot been at the vino?

There's nowhere like the bus really,is there?

Hope you are all well and much less mad then you sound. I'm battling the ww now. She always pops up around this time.Time for one of those post tonic waters I think.

Happy guy fawkes all- I usually see bonfire night as a good reason to start on the red very early. After all it would be ridiculous to just go any enjoy the fireworks,wouldn't it? So a nice clear safe evening for me instead. I am looking forward to it just wish it was possible to have a little drink too.