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

[whydidthishappen]

Withdrawal? I had no withdrawal. No shakes, no pain, no headache- nothing. But I was a beer drinker, not wine or spirits, which I'm sure cause worse withdrawal symptoms.

If you are worried about withdrawal DO call your GP. There is no extra medal for doing sobriety while puttinng yourself in danger.

[SunshineSuperNova]

I agree why. My XH used to fit when he was in withdrawal.

Well done on 45 days, you are amazing.

Day one (again) nearly over and the anxiety is receding, thank feck.

[Mouseface]

Ma - I'm sorry not to have emailed you, I'm fine, I'll find time over the weekend :) xxx

Trinity - You're a star! Lovely arse Hope life is better for you and the girls are well, lots of love sweets xxx

Pample - It does take a few days for your body to adjust to not getting the sugar from the wine, the chemicals in the wine and the alcohol itself. You will have a few days of uphoria and then you may dip, but WILL bounce back and start to feel the benefits of not poisoning yourself. You can do this, because you want to. :) xxx

IsinDe - Good on you sweetheart for getting to day two! xxx

Right, Nemo is in bed and yes, he's my DS for the Babe who asked, there are photographs of him on my profile. His heart appt went as expected, he still has regurgitation of blood from one chamber to the other, it is significant but not life changing and normal for anyone with his heart condition, Tetralogy of Fallot.

Anywho, it's late and my boy is coughing so I'm getting ready for a long night shift.

Guggs - Please keep us posted with your DS. xxx

Night Brave Babes, stay safe, stay strong and stay with us! xxx

[SocFish]

Hello Babes
Soc here. Firmly in the side car, but have one foot back in the bus. Been reading and catching up. Everyone is doing so well. why you are incredible.
xx

[Sadnworried]

Guggenheim
I speed read and missed that your DS was unwell. I hope the news is good.
Thanks for your support/wisdom

[Ladamned]

Hi everyone Just rushing in to say ((hugs)) to Guggs Fingers and toes crossed for your ds.

Sorry not to nc everyone but rushing around like mad getting stuff ready for new job. Have a good Saturday babes

[TrinityFucker]

hi yeah we're doing ok

dd1 has suspected Glandular fever, been really ill and off school for about 6 weeks now
waiting for a 14 Nov. paediatric app but I'm not happy with that wait so will be calling someone? not sure who tomorrow
dd2 is wetting again and now has a urine infection, she is also pulling her hair out again
gecko burnt herself badly on her legs three weeks ago, one leg is all fine, other is still bandaged and she is on 2nd lot of antibiotics
social services are back as A and E reported the burn to them
also nhs 24 made an error in their 'paperwork' and reported to social services that I had contacted nhs 24 but not followed through with the call back and therefore wasn't getting medical attention for dd1


feeling totally fucking got at and worn out
joints flaring again
just feeling meh
searching for the pause button again

but hey I'm sober and fag free so thats a huge win and I know for sure I wouldn't be managing AT ALL if I was drinking
good luck and well done to all

[TrinityFucker]

obviously I mean monday i will be calling someone

[TrinityFucker]

Thanks Ghost, sorry I didn't mean to shit on your supportive thread Mouse

[LePamplemousse]

Thank sunshine, mouse, sidecar and sunshine and anyone else for your replies re: withdrawal. It's not bad enough for me to be worried about or to call my GP, I just felt a bit anxious and a tiny bit shaky but this morning I woke up and I feel absolutely fine. Also I do get anxiety sometimes so it might be partly that and not just the alcohol.
anyway I've made it to day 3 so hurray for that.
Best wishes to all the babes for a good Saturday.

[aliasjoey]

Hello Babes

guggs hope everything goes ok with your DS appt

isinde now I've got a stupid tune going through my head because of your namechange! Hey, did you read louise' s post to you? I didn't see a reply, but thought she maybe hit the nail on the head there....

Waves to everyone else.

[PurpleWolfe]

Well, Babes, it occurred to me yesterday that I haven't told you the full story of late. I read something raw and painful written on another thread and realised I've been 'pulling my punches'. I haven't meant to be less than honest but sort of drifted into not posting all the details, doing the same as I do in RL - only telling some of the problem. Apologies.

I've returned to lots of all-day-drinking, drinking a huge amounts, and this morning my bedroom stinks of that ghastly chemical wine smell, again. Watched iPlayer and drank 'til gone 1am. Every day/week I make the resolution not to drink on Monday - or tomorrow - or after 'such-and-such' but still, it continues. My stomach is sick of the acid - literally.

To the outside world, I'm doing fine. Fully functioning (if a bit last minute a lot of the time), happy and confident. But, inside, I'm feeling like a huge failure - in all areas of my life - with the exception of my children. All the energy and love I have is given to them.

Back to the Doc's? Well, I still have some of the meds (Campral) from last time but I need the resolve to take them. Stupid, isn't it? As for the Alcohol Services Nurse - there were occasions she said something helpful but, on the whole, I really didn't feel much support. Maybe I should be asking for Antabuse? AA scares me and some of you will remember my two brushes with AA didn't go well (the missed meeting and the 'more than blunt' on-line answer). Cannot recall the name of the other organisation (??) but it's too far for me to be able to get back in time for the school run.

Only tea drunk here so far today. An achievement. But, out to lunch with a friend later and no children this weekend, so no responsibilities.........

Feeling sad, hopeless, worthless and crying.

Stupid thing is, I no longer even like the taste of wine.

[SunshineSuperNova]

Well done Pamplemousse on day 3. I suffer from anxiety and find that it massively ramps up after I've been drinking. I was very shaky last night. I'm on day 2 and trying to get through it.

Trinity big hugs.

Insinde I'm so impressed you've already cleaned the kitchen and started bread! I've managed brekky and sitting around in my dressing gown thus far :)

Soc how's your day going?

Guggs I missed that your DS is poorly, wishing him a good recovery.

Mouse I hope you and the lovely Nemo had a good night without too much coughing and sleeplessness.

I'm off now to get stuff done - DM is coming from theForrin today so I might not be back for a bit. Big hugs to all you wonderful Babes, I hope you have a good day. xxx

[aliasjoey]

mouse quote "alcohol fosters inertia"

Or do inert people become alcoholic because they are lazy? (I'm talking about me, not anyone else!) I've been drinking more lately - not too much at a time, but most nights - and feel like I can't be bothered trying to quit.

Well this is embarrassing but I'm supposed to be going for a meal tonight and I've just cancelled. I have a bit of a cold, but it's not that bad. I just feel like I can't be bothered.

Don't know if I even want to drink tonight (well, of course I want to, that goes without saying) but it's more that I can't make the effort. I could happily turn into a recluse. Is this why I have no friends?

[Scarymuff]

Morning all

Joey I used to love getting out and about, walking on the beach or across the hills. Then, as I started to prefer drinking, we would walk along the beach to a the pub or across the fields to the pub. Once I was parked on the pub bench I had no wish to do anything else.

It got to the point where I would find pubs right on the seafront so I could sit and drink wine and watch the children. I didn't bother with the walk first. It gradually dawned on me that most of my outings were car, pub, car (with dh driving). So, for me, alcohol did foster inertia.

Purple it sounds to me like you're sick of it, my lovely. You don't like drinking, it doesn't taste nice, it makes you feel like shit, yet you are compelled to keep forcing it down? I've been there too. It's baffling isn't it.

If your stomach is suffering, you have something else to focus on. Tell yourself that you will not drink today because you can't. It's not your choice anymore, you have to give your insides a chance to heal.

Just for today. Don't think any further than that for now. Every time that thought comes into your head, bat it right out again. Prepare a mantra "I can't drink today. I can't drink today. It's not my choice."

Prepare for later. If you have any booze in the house, get rid of it. Plan an early night. Get a selection of good books, magazines, get some hot chocolate and take yourself off to bed as early as possible.

If you get the urge early evening, plan an activity that can take your mind off it. Go out if you can, or get busy at home. What about searching for recipes and making a batch of homemade vegetable soup? Do you have any hobbies, like knitting, that will keep your hands busy. If not, why not learn. Find a thread (or start one) and find out what you need and how you do it.

You could make yourself a 'sober blanket' or something, with each bit representing the times that you didn't drink. I really think you can do this because I can tell you really, really want to and that's half the battle. Actually, that's 90% of the battle!

Once you get a day or two under your belt, it will reinforce the fact that you can do a day. And if you can do a day, you can do another day.

It honestly does get easier x

[JustLikeHeaven]

So glad i found this thread. . i can relate to so many of you

I am not alone.

has anyone got a tip for saying,- . . No thank you, a water/orange etc is fine. I have woken with a new resolve today. . .and have a party tonight and i want to go to it and really try to enjoy it without alcohol. I am know for loving a party (or so i like to think. . they probably think i am a lush) and when i refuse i drink a will be asked if i am pregnant. . .or hear the usual. . go on. one won't harm you, you are very boring. you used to be great fun etc etc. over and over all night or until they are too pissed to notice or care

please dont say, just dont care what they think. the reason i drink so much when out socially is because i am so self conscious and am naturally shy . . . . though i have a party animal reputation because i hide this. I am sick of myself. . . sick of being afraid to be me . . . sick of The Fear the next day. . . the over eating because i am so Hungover. more alcohol to get rid of the hangover. the whole horrible cycle

i am going to get up now and force myself to go for a walk. sounds pathetic!!!

do i take one bottle of beer or glass of wine and pretend to drink it for the night or do i stand firm. . and if so any tips on doing so. thank you

[TrinityFucker]

Hi, Justlikeheaven,you could tell them you are on antibiotics for a tooth abscess

there is a type beginning with M that will make you vomit if you drink with them so its above board

I actually was on them for the first five days of my 16 months of being sober
I'm an emetephobe so the fear of throwing up stopped my overwhelming urge to drink for 5 days

good luck, I've been there

[LePamplemousse]

Justlikeheaven, you could always say you're on antibiotics or something... or just say trying to detox if you don't want to come out and say 'I've got a problem with alcohol'.
Incidentally though, I do think it's absolutely fine to say 'no thanks, can I just have an orange juice/lemonade?' and anyone who questions you too closely might just have a bit of a problem with alcohol themselves.
Have you read Jason Vale's 'Kick the Drink Easily'? It's really helping me feel confident about the idea of not drinking alcohol at social occasions.

[aliasjoey]

Welcome just

You could try saying you'll have a drink later, but you're really thirsty and want a soft drink first. By the time anyone realises they will probably all be drunk themselves and oblivious.

Or say you're on antibiotics.

Or say you're doing a detox and want to lose weight for a party next month.

Actually you would be surprised how many people don't notice or care, and the ones who DO notice (and try to persuade you) are often people who have their own 'issues'. (I speak from experience, I used to be one of those people )

You sound very strong and resolved! Make sure you have a plan, know what you will ask for, and an alternative in case that's not available.

[babyjane1]

Hi babes just checking to say I've said a little prayer for your boy guggs and I want to remind purple it was you who started me on this journey with the fabulous results when you stopped for 6 weeks. Remember it honey and read back. You inspired me so much with your enthusiasm of
Losing weight, improvement to your skin and your upbeat Joie de vive attitude and your incredible generosity to me when I hated myself completely. That IS you beautiful lady, I want to feel your sunshine again!!!

[babyjane1]

guggs I love your posts, they are calm snd practical and always always generous, you have helped me immensely and I have great affection and respect for you, I'm also intrigued by you, would you share why you decided to stop drinking, was it one event or a lifestyle choice, you sound so smart and knowledgeable about all facts surrounding alcohol and I just can't imagine you ever not having control, sorry for prattling on, not nosey just interested on your story xx