The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Stepping Into Christmas With Sobriety On Their Minds.

[Mouseface]

Hello, tis me, Mouse

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

Even if you think your intake has gone up more today than the last or this week than last, come and join us on Gerald, the amazing, always room for more, fully stocked with glorious treats and donned in his Christmas Decorations, Bus!

We are a supportive thread, 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 smile 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 Addiction Support Teams, or even other support threads, posts like that will be reported if the need arises, so 'Orange Paper supporters' don't waste your time please :)

This Bus is a place for honesty, sanctuary and safety, something that has taken almost 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, it's filled with (non alcoholic or narcotic) delicious, luxury treats and HUGE fluffy quilts, plus anything else you might need to help YOU get through YOUR day a minute, or an hour at a time.

And, if you'd like to see where this all began - This Is The Reason We're All Here, The Original JWN Thread

And This Is Our Previous Thread, With Links To Those Over The Past Few Years

We hope to meet you soon :) x

Why will it be worse if they arrest him love? Won't you feel safer if the police warn him off? Can't you get an injunction against him? Sorry, I don't know your whole situation, just want to hear you are safe. Hope you find a way through this soon. I am around on and off all evening, will check in and see how you are x

Because if he gets arrested then from past experience he gets worse it won't worn him off it infuriates him and my life becomes worse and this is what the police don't get that I need to safe somewhere if they start getting involved again I hope that makes sense

Hello Babes

Rural Day 7 that is really good going

Beaches 26 days that is AWESOME I think you are an inspiration. There is something so calming about snow

Nuff Ma I'm Soc Isinde Mama Anne Why Joey sorry Babes that I've missed

Mouse thinking of you

Sorry I'm x post

if he's arrested does it not give you a bit of time to seek somewhere else to be or get injunction to keep him away x

Do you have any family or friends that you can go to?

Aw, I see. I hope you can make the police understand I'm. Hoping you can find a safe place soon xxxx

beaches that is some atchevment mrs!!
Maybe ill do that one day x

I'm currently pissed as a fart a bit drunk and regretting it already as iv not enjoyed it one bit wish I was sober right now I'm scared so its all been bloked out

Thankyou spanna and hope

One day this bus will change the world

Morning Bus
I'm sorry you're going through all of that. I am in awe of all you babes (why and mouse spring to mind) who have sooo much going on in their lives. Here I crumble at the mere sign of stress and use it as an excuse to drink. God forbid I actually had any real issues in my life.

I'm (and you guys I'm sure) heading into dangerous territory with end of year silly season and endless bbq's and Christmas functions. I'm seriously tempted every day with celebrations. My stance is going to be take one day at a time in a big way and not stress about all the social dates I have to get through in the future, but focus on today. And to also constantly remind myself that I've done extremely well in November and how absolutely amazing it's being to be sober (mostly). I'm very determined to not slide back to what I was.

Got to rush to work so sorry not to nc everyone (bit jealous of beaches 26 days)

omg I think I just saw Jesus floating through this thread Nice to see you JWN and lovely to hear that all is well.

I'm what a tough place for you just now - knowing that you WILL leave, but having it all just a little too far out of reach As someone who left an abusive relationship the only thing I can say is that getting to the other side is SO, SO, SO much worth it. Along with the difficulty of transition can come an incredible relief, and an awesome sense of freedom. One of my friends (who had stopped coming to visit because she and her dh couldn't stand to see how I was treated) said that almost instantly I became myself again, as soon as I left.

You will get through this. You will. And on top of that you will have the bonus of lots of understanding about drinking, the futility of alcohol, and you will be in a great place to really take on a new and beautiful life.

Im I love that you told some bloke in a shop about the snow! it's amazing how much the posts on this thread get into your head, I often find myself thinking about things people have written. Well done for telling the worker about the difficult stuff, you are taking brave steps forward. Be kind to yourself honey and soak up all the support you have on here. Such lovely posts and a real feeling that everyone wants things to get better for you x

Thanks faire for the reassurance, I am always making typos, not sure what happens between brain and typing! I can't say I have noticed any of your mistakes though but you are sweet to say

rural, Spanna, Im, Soc thanks for the encouragement, I can hardly believe the days myself. Soc, you have done really well in Nov and actually you did ok in Oct too I think, no reason why Dec won't be your next success x

rural you are quietly clocking up the days, well done on a whole week!

isinde you have been very quite lately, hope everything is ok with you.

Hi to mama, joey, hope, Anne, why, Venus, Baby, purple, Ma and all the other babes.

Well done for speaking up Im. I know it was hard for you. It's a shame that you can't have a safe place to be BEFORE the police get involved, but I'm going to ask you to look at it this way:

Your ex is still having too much influence over you, because you fear him. You even fear his future responses to events that haven't occurred yet. Understandably, this is a very stressful time for you and your kids.

So if you know that you can't control his reactions, KNOW that you can control YOUR OWN. A drink may seem like the thing to calm you down, but ask yourself honestly, "Has drinking ever resolved this issue, or has it simply let it fester"?

I hope they find you a place fast. You deserve it. And listen to the other women who have come out of unhealthy and/or abusive relationships. I haven't heard one yet, in all my years, who wishes they could go back.

Morning all. Bloody freezing here! Have progressed to wearing socks over my tights under boots, which makes me feel like a six year old!

Lots of babes doing really well on the AF front. I have a work do tomorrow and know we will all have a drink - not ready to declare myself a total non drinker with Christmas coming up (I find Xmas a struggle for various reasons, mainly not having my own family any more and having difficult in-laws).

Soc I hear you about the dangerous party season but trying not to project just yet. My aim is to sip a drink if offered and not to carry on at home. Happy drinking is not my issue, it is hitting the bottle when stressed that makes me not want to stop, and then makes me a wreck for a week. So will nip onto the bus tomorrow to remind me what might happen if I overdo it. So many inspiring babes on here who have far more to cope with than me, and you are all doing so well.

Better get up and face the prison camp work now. Have a good Wednesday, all. Big love to I'm today x

Morning all

Lovely to read such supporting posts. I've nothing to add Im, other than you are in my thoughts and, like the other babes, I am here to listen and support you through whatever changes you make.

One thing about life is certain, nothing stays the same forever. Change will happen, it's up to you to decide which way it will go for you x

Hi all.

Well done everyone for getting through the last day!

I have managed to stay alcohol free all week! Had a bit of a detox day yesterday by drinking bucket loads of water (which I will do today as well). Can literally feel the toxins in my mouth and belly. Feel so much more focused when hydrated though.

Perhaps am being a bit overzealous but have decided to quit smoking today! I just want to get healthier. But am worried that quitting drink and cigarettes might be too much for one week but heigh ho, I'll soon find out.

Im I love what you said "some day this Bus will change the world" !!

Well done to all the Babes who are staying strong in the face of trauma and temptation.

Hi babes, I'm in total awe of the warmth and support that oozes between us strangers, it makes me feel very proud to be on this bus. I'm still alcohol free but can't stop eating, I lost a lot of weight when I was Ill just there and whilst It was a horrid way to do it, I'd rather not put it all on again, sounds so superficial but another fat Christmas is not a thought I relish!!! I don't miss wine it's just that life seems flat and one dimensional and more than a little boring. A wise babe said on here there's no such thing as a boring lives just boring people, I believe that to be true, I need to get, off my fat arse and embrace life more, I keep thinking every day we live, we can never get back or spend again with our parents or spend again with our kids so why the hell waste it on thinking about wine, drinking wine or hangover after wine, I am going to think very hard about the things that make me feel truly happy and do them more, maybe we all could xxx

It's really toutches me to come on here and see so many of you offering support and kind wise words thankyou so much, it really has helped me feeling sick today with worry stomachs in knots.

Sorry I'm not much use at offering any support back right now, I'm still dodging police but seems they will arrest him anyway is there anything I can do to stop them?

Luvs to all of you

I'm we are all here to support you at the moment, you just concentrate on being kind to yourself and getting through this situation. Sorry have no advice re: police but sending you virtual hugs and a gingerbread latte x Can WA advise on police?

Dancer massive well done on a week AF! Brilliant!

Baby wise words there. I wasted a fair bit of time thinking about wine or sneaking wine when I could have paid more attention to the everyday joys of being with my kids - am determined not to keep making that mistake, especially as they are growing up so fast....

im I feel totally inadequate, in RL I'd give him a Glasgow kiss but all I can offer you is support and the knowledge that from my time on this thread, miracles actually happen and you will emerge triumphant xxxx

Im if you tell the police that you think you are at risk of being in danger from this man, they might remand him in custody. At the very least you need to speak to them so that they don't arrest him and let him go again. You must take steps to keep yourself safe x

Im as far as I am aware you cannot stop the police arresting him. However if you are unwilling to make a statement to police about his behaviour it is very unlikely to go any further if he denys doing anything wrong. Perhaps if he is likely to turn extra nasty it would be best to see the police and tell them you will only make a statement when you and DC'S are in a safe place as you fear repercussions.
As isinde said we are all rooting for youxx

rural I am very glad you posted that idea its exactly how I feel / need and wAnt I just couldn't come to saying it somehow, I want their help I want to talk to them, I feel they think I'm protecting him and that's not true.
nuff yes that's something they might do I guess,

baby thankyou honey

hope thanks for the latte drinking on an empty stomach again ant good my lovely's but I won't be here forever ill get us out this shit ( is it past swearing watershed yet?

Thinking of you today mouse x

Hello to ma why beaches isindie mama soc and all new comers I think I have missed some people there

joey dancer venus you know your all keeping me going even though name checking isn't my strong point

spanna sorry lovely