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

Hi all, how are we all doing this early evening? Time to eat before the sugar levels drop? I'm going to make us chicken kievs in a minute with a lovely mixed salad and brown rice.

How are you doing Kwitter and other recent joiners? Don't hesitate to just jump in and post whatever you like.

Back later x

Come out, come out, wherever you are...

Ok, I've cooked and eaten. Had such a busy day, I'm going to have a bath in a bit but just watching a bit of telly and trying to keep my eyes open.

I recorded last nights I'm a Celebrity to watch later but not too keen on the eating challenges so may fastforward over those bits.

What's everyone else up to?

Thanks mamabear I'm beating the bitch tonight and pleased with myself
I have put the money in a jar tonight, money is tight ATM and I keep seeing things I want to by for Xmas for the dc but my purse is always empty of spare money so I think this is driving me, realistically we will have a more comfortable Xmas ( not saying ill keep up then at all but every penny counts )

A nice bath for me tonight too and early to bed.

It's very quiet in the bus today where are you all?

Ma isinde mouse rural why kwitter hellooooooo

Evening, no need to read my thread, here what it said and why I'm looking for a bit of company.

"I've been pussyfooting around for quite some time now, telling myself that I don't have a problem just a stressful life- work, family, relationships, finances etc and having a drink in the evening to help me chill out is perfectly normal. It used to be, way back when it was just one or two glasses and I didn't wake up every day with a hangover and wondering what I said or did the night before. It's getting difficult to hide the amount I drink and it's definitely affecting my work. I'm getting through maybe a bottle and a half a night, wine that is.
I'm a really unpleasant person and the shame is unbearable.
I'm scared of developing a drink related illness and everyone finding out what I'm doing to myself.
I don't know if I need to stop drinking forever but I do know I need to stop right now.
So, I'm setting myself a challenge. In the run up to Christmas I will not touch a drop, I'm going to reset my tolerance then I will assess whether I can drink more acceptably or if I need to stop completely.

I'm putting it on the record here because I can't bear to talk to anyone I know and I need someone else to know.
I'm dreading it though, just the thought of it makes me want to pour myself a large glass..."

I got through last night with out a drink and am on track to go without this evening too although the realization that my problem is much worse than I thought has left me a little tearful. :(

Hi all, sorry to jump in tonight, on day 3 and really struggling, bottle ready in the fridge-is it possible to just have a glass or 2?

fated day 3 is tough. Yes, it is possible to have a glass or two but not everyone can and it often leads to more.
It depends on your drinking pattern.
Can you try and hold on a little longer and see if the urge goes?

Day 3 is my crux, I fail almost every time

I very rarely stop at 2 unless in company when it is easy. The boredom is setting in though, I know it sounds pathetic but the next 15 minutes until masterchef are going to be tough.

Did you make it through the last 15 mins fated? I too know all about the difficulties of day 3. If you made it, great, can you last another 10 mins? If you didn't, don't panic! Can you put the rest of the bottle somewhere difficult to get to? Garage or loft? You will feel soooo much better in the morning if you can manage that, really proud of yourself instead of that horrid shameful feeling (not to mention the headache!)

I bloody cracked, I am so annoyed with myself!!

I have no hidey holes as currently living with parents so after dd is sound asleep I retire to my room and hibernate.

DFather is also a drinker and so there is always a LOT of booze in.

Feeling a bit useless now.

kwitter it's ok to feel tearful, that feeling will pass. As do urges although they can be very strong and hard to fight off. Best thing (in my limited experience) is to post on here if you feel a wobble and make yourself wait till at least one other poster has responded. It makes all the difference.
i'm, so glad to hear you're kicking ww's butt! I'm cheering you on for that £20 prize, I know all about being skint for Christmas! All the more reason to stick to tonic water instead of wine, hey?
Hi ma, how are you doing? Get me dishing out advice on day 5! Charlie big potatoes of what???

indie are you coping ok?
Bit stressful here - ds has fallen out with another boy with whom we car share and is adamant he's not going to school if we have to pick up Tom as well. We do have to. We are out of the catchment area and there is no bus so the boys can't get to school on time any other way. Ds says tom is mean to him and bullies him, tom has told his mum that ds was horrible to him and makes fun of him! Fortunately both toms mum and I had been round the block with older dcs and aren't getting too stressed about it but it does make things awkward. Ds will school refuse tomorrow for sure.....
Well, dh can deal with it. I will be out early, meeting a man with mesmerising eyes for coffee.....

Awwwh fated, don't feel useless! It won't help a jot to start bashing yourself. Just pick yourself up tomorrow, dust yourself off and do day 1. I have pledged day 1 about 3 days in a row, but I kept posting & that helped me get past it. I'm full of cold at the moment and that is making it easier for me not to pick up today. Anyone you know with a lurgy?

Hello fated welcome to the bus. You said you wanted to try having just one or two, so this is a good opportunity to see if you can do that.

When you have had the second glass, do the drill - put the wine away and have a big drink of water. Clean your teeth and get into bed if you can with a good book. If you can post from your bed, do that and there will be people around to chat.

If that's too difficult for you, then at least it answers your question and you will know for sure that it's easier to avoid the first glass than the second, third, etc.

Kwitter hard though it may be to believe it right now, but everything can change for you, if that's what you want. The more you put the strategies into place, the easier and more automatic it becomes. Stick with us

Ma will dh keep his cool? I think some bribery might be in order. What will your ds do anything for?

I am so pleased to have found these threads!

Thank you! I am going to try and stop after this glass, really try instead of my usual half hearted attempts.

I have just got over the flu, even that didn't keep me away from it

I am so determined, I need to stop blaming my circumstances and take control.

Dh is a pussy with ds and my worry is that he will give in and ds will get a duvet day. He is way too soft with him, it pisses me off. Ds needs to grow up a little and dh was never that soft with the dds, particularly dd2 whom he was horrible to!
I'm glad I will be out of the house. He can sort it out himself for once.

Ma he should make him do schoolwork all day, then maybe he wouldn't be so keen to stay home

But, as you say, not your problem.

fated you can do it, it just one evening. Wine will always be there another time if you want it.

We're all having hot chocolate here but I'm the only one not eating biscuits too.

< polishes halo >

Morning Babes
Day 7 here for me today. Last night went out for a quick dinner with DH. He drank a beer and a couple of glasses of wine. Red wine, he knows he's not allowed to drink white wine in front of me (red wine I can mostly avoid, white wine is the big problem). It was actually fine, I drank water and ate a shit load of food.

There is no way in the world that I would have got through that a couple of months ago. So after about a decade of trying to control my drinking and/or give up, maybe things are changing. I'm a bit slow on the uptake.

Have a fab evening. xxxx

Bloody well done socfish
Am seriously impressed.
faire mind that halo doesn't slip and choke you
mouse thinking of you

Soc DAY 7 that is awesome and being able to go out for dinner with DH drinking. Go girl - amazing. It gives me some hope, thank you, you are an inspiration.

Beaches hope you're ok babe

Hello to Rural Ma Im Isinde Why Mama Mouse Nuff you wonderful Babes

Welcome Kwitter and Fated

Day 1 again here today. I find this one quite easy, as I feel so shite that I have no desire to drink. It's Day 3 I find the bugger and I find that situations trigger me.

Yesterday one of the mums on the PTA really wound me up and the WW was screaming at me by the time I'd finished the school run. I abstained until 5pm (only because I was working

I've decided that I really need to watch the film to the end that worked when I got as far as Day 8

[grins]

Solemnly hands spanna a green opal fruit.

Just because.

thanks ma

Hello babes - I've bought the mince pies as promised! Had a bit of a day 2 wobble - supposed to meet a pal at the Xmas markets but knew I would not resist the gluwein so didn't go. Hard cos I walk past them every night and with work being so bad at the moment it's tempting just to dive in! Made it though - nothing stronger than tea tonight despite being informed that we are now under review. Again! Which usually means redundancy, but not thinking about that now...

How are you all tonight? Socfish bloody well done on last night! I would struggle to go out for a meal and not drink if DH was doing so - find it hard sometimes not to order a nice cider even when him and the DCs have soft drinks. Although as far as DD is concerned I'm with Kathy Lette when she says having a daughter is like living with the Taliban - can't drink, sing, dance or wear young clothes without being berated and glared at and called 'embarrassing'.

Rural big hugs to you babe, really feel for your situation - withholding your pay???!!! Sending him evil curses from the back seat of the bus...

Hello Fated and Kwitter, welcome. I am new too but have been warmly welcomed by these lovely ladies, even if they are a bit crazy and witter on about dogs' anal glands (hope I haven't started that again, made me a bit queasy!)

I'm what are you going to buy when you save up your money? It scares me what I can spend on wine, it really is money down the drain.

Faire hope the chicken kievs were good. Don't watch the celebrity eating challenges, they were gross last night, but do watch Joey Essex trying to tell the time (then wonder why the hell he is probably richer than us). I both love and hate that programme, but am too tired to watch anything mentally challenging by the end of the day

Off to sleep soon - hello to Anne, Isinde, Whyand MamaBear and anyone else I have not namechecked. Hope Mouse is OK

Can we get Gingerbread Lattes in? As you can see am keen to start on the Christmas food this year

Oh Spanna hello to you too. Have you found Ma's secret Opal Fruit stash yet?