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

Checking in at end of day 8 bus moves so fast just finished a long day in work cup of tea and bed me thinks x

Hi babes, its jango here (in disguise) lol. Day three here. Managed it quite easily today, but then I was at work[hmm}. Last week for the first time ever I had an ache in what must have been the liver region that scared the sh@t out of me. So must, must must cut down/stop in my dreams. Cant be doing with this anymore! For me its not that I will drink each and every day its the vast amounts I can neck that scare me.
I swear its affecting my memory and I know it lowers my mood. I probaby couldnt stop totally but I CAN cut right back. I know im going to have to cancel a few up and coming social events ;( as these are soley based around alcohol. Small price though in the long run.
In bed after a lovely soak, face pack feeling chilled! I want many many more nights like this.
Love to all babes. xx

Good morning to all the babes on this wonderfully inspiring bus.

Can I have a seat please?. I've just woken up and I'm on Day 4. I've been drinking since I was 15 (now 46) socially mostly but I've been drinking much more at home (wine),when I do get to the pub (Westons cider - which is strong). I have become a binge drinker who doesn't know when to stop. Recently I have looked at myself and decided that I have a problem and I need to address it!

I drink to numb hurt and pain (partner of 20 years left 3 years ago - haven't seen or heard from him, neither have our children . No financial help, nothing!) I have 2 DD (9 & 14). They are my life and I love/adore them. My dad also died 6 years ago. 2 major men in our lives - gone!

I've been lurking for a while and I'm so glad I've come across this thread (and the old ones). Mind you even when I was with my partner I was drinking. The industry that I used to work in was high profile corporate lunches yada yada - you get the picture.

Just spent the last 3 years doing a degree fulltime (went back to that student feeling) which I've finished now and achieved. Sorry I'm 'going on', when I re-read it really does sound like I'm feeling really sorry for myself!!

Anyway I will continue to lurk and I find you all inspiring and lovely. You make me lol and cry. It really helps me realise that I'm not alone.

Have a good day everyone x

Good morning spanna and welcome. Sounds like you have had a shit few years. Take a seat in the bus, someone will be along soon with your ticket to ride and hopefully, some breakfast. The service on here has been shocking recently!

Thank you so much ma

Morning all, welcome spanna

Still going strong here thanks to you lovely lot and I'm not sure how iv done it iykwim I just have and I carnt connect with what's changed other than my strength from everyone here x

Iv had some horrible shit from him to deal with this week too.

I'm at beaches banana chip things? Iv lived a shelters life

I think they're dried banana?

Hello Spanna and welcome, just jump in an post what you like, whenever you like. That goes for all newish/lurking babes too.

Mew how is it going? Don't worry if you didn't manage the whole day, come back and tell us how you're feeling x

jango if your liver (or some other organ) is starting to complain, you really could do with some af days. What about alternate days to start with. Or just cut out Mondays for now. What do you think?

Art well done for coming back. I agree with you that some people are coping so well with truly difficult circumstances but we are all in this together and everyone's need is as important no matter how 'small' they think it is in comparison.

Hi all, welcome Spanna.

Day 5 here, still AF.

Evening babes. Thursday night here and day 6 done. I remember last month saying that the first week was such hell I didn't want to do it to myself again and here I am. It's like the theme tune to my life. "Doing it again". Anyway, all good. Tomorrow will be a week and I have no intention of drinking.

Welcome spanna the babes are awesome. Except when they don't share the opal fruits....

Or when isinde drives. Holy crap then we're in all sorts of trouble.

Hi all. Jango here x
Feeling thoughtful today thinking how much I thank god that for today I am sober an lucid. I can think clearly. I feel calmer no sweats .
For today at least I am winning most of you will understand this.
Faire thanks for naming me:) I do manage lots of a f days its just then I binge up to fourteen units :((
I'm really going to try and not do this. There is just no excuse or benefit to it any more.
Love to all babes. Will check in tonight x

Hi All you Brave and inspiring Babes! Lurking for a few weeks has got me thinking I should join you. Apart from pregnancy I cant remember having even 1 af day in a week. Not good. Managed 3 af days last week but only on day 2 this week. Not ready to commit to never drinking again but certainly ready to cut down to 3 af days a week, then 4, and 5... Onwards and upwards eh?

Welcome Mama . I like your plan, having some af nights off each week definitely suits some. A friend of mine does Mondays and Thursdays (and always sticks to it). It is also a god way to notice how difficult (or not) that is for you.

Jango I love that you are counting your blessings today . So on the nights when you drink, you drink a whole bottle of wine? Are you hoping to reduce the amount or stop completely (for now)? My dh bought (and sank) a bottle last night and I caught myself thinking sharing half each wouldn't be enough anyway so it made it easier to refuse. We are long past one bottle between two.

Soc you mentioned having a fuck it date bothering you in January. My first reaction was "does that mean you are not worried about Christmas?" I think I was projecting my own fears!

Hello to Art, One, Spanna, Isinde, Ma, Faire, And This

Im yes it was dried banana (which I think are pretty well known)

I was wondering if someone has accidentally locked Purple, Mouse and Baby in the dressing up box, or sat on them? They are very quiet

Mama Not a 'god' way but a good way

Welcome spanna and mama
This is a good place to be if concerned about your drinking.
Lots of amazing supportive babes.
I have been in the sidecar but trying for day 1 a/f today.
I'll just sit quietly at the back for now
Probably be back later with lots to say about nothing when the ww is on my back.
So pleased you are doing so well isinde and soc well done you
and all of the other babes who are managing to cut down or stay A/F.
Some real success stories at the moment..

Afternoon babes, Day 6 a/f for me today:)

The witch got me

Gerald and I are like Torvil and Dean on the road....

What, spinning around all over the ice?

Oh, Lordy, buckle up babes

Jango that's how I started. I stopped drinking on Mondays and, when I was comfortable with that, I cut out Tuesdays too. Then, after a bit, I added Wednesdays and then Sundays. Finally, I cut out Thursdays too. That just left Friday and Saturday when I could drink if I wanted to.

Then I just got fed up with never having a decent weekend because I was hungover, so I cut out Saturdays too. Friday was always the hardest for me because I was tired after a week at work and wanted to kick back with 'treats' on a Friday evening.

But, actually, all that time off the booze just made me realise I prefer not drinking. I like being rested and alert and sober. So, for me, it was a matter of trying things and finding out what worked, what didn't, what I liked, what I didn't.

The best advice I can give, though, is to learn from it and change your behaviour/habits accordingly. Don't keep repeating the same mistakes and getting the same results because that won't get you where you want to be.

Don't be frightened of not drinking. It's great. It really is. You just have to get used to it first. If you think non-alcoholic wine or beers won't trigger you, try some of those instead.

And eat! Low blood sugar will send my brain straight to the alcohol because it knows there is a whole heap of sugar there. I made myself eat before drinking because, more often than not, that would be enough to make the urge to drink go away. It wasn't alcohol my body wanted, it was food. (Took me a while to work that one out).

Hello Mama, welcome to the bus

Hi babes thank you so much for your warm welcome.
That Witch is a bitch [Im] she lurks in the back of my mind constantly.
[Is] I'm not sure what I really want to gain from abstaining and being AF. More than anything to prove to myself that I can do it and have some self control. Day 4 and I'm really tired. Mouth has a weird metalic taste, yuk. Sweats in the night (can't work out whether it's 'the change' starting or just my body processing my lack of alcohol.
If there are some Opal Fruits being passed around, can I bagsy a green one, they're my all time favs!
[I'm] hugs to you - that witch is a serious bitch. Get back here soon and let us know that you're ok.
beaches, rural, soc and all you other lovely babes thank you for your warm welcome. I feel nice and cosy on this bus. I really appreciate it
x

sorry I haven't got to grips with the bolding of words yet!!!!

nuff how long have you been AF? hope you don't mind me asking but your advice is really sound x

Hi to all babes old and new! Just back from a family court emergency hearing because SS were unable to facilitate supervision of visits and I was unable to see my son. The judge roared at SS! "You asked this court to be the supervising agency in this reunification process: supervise the visits as per my order. I expect Ms. Whydidthishappen to obey my orders AND I EXPECT YOU TO DO SO TOO. Do not have me hear another emergency motion on this matter".

Coming up on 60 days, new homelessness, toothache and depression. But the Wine Witch and Beer Bastard are throughly dead.