The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Springing Into Spring Like Super Spingy Springs On A Springy Day!

[Mouseface]

Hello everyone, I'm Mouse :)

Welcome to the Bus, Gerald. Of course it's an imaginary Bus, and we're all aware of that, but we've been on this Bus for a bloomin' long time now so this place kinda feels like home.

See, the thing is, we're a mix of drinkers, non drinkers, total abstainers, and also posters that are or have been, somewhere in between, around the block and back again!

There are no hard and fast rules here, just No judging, No bitching about others and most certainly No expectations of YOURSELF.

No-one can say what will or will not happen whilst you're posting here. You just have to take the ride, One Day At A Time.

There are two sayings that we have painted down either side of the Bus :-

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

You've started to read this thread for a reason, and you'll either carry on and maybe Name Change (or not) and post, walk away, or realise that this is all about YOU, cry for a bit, and then come and take a seat :)

For those who would like a bit of our almost 4 year history, have a read of THIS TRULY INSPIRING THREAD

- AND THIS IS OUR PREVIOUS THREAD TO THIS ONE

We're not a quiche or a clicky group, four years is a long time and longer when you're pissed for some of it, so whilst the threads may look 'clicky', I can promise you, it's just that we all 'know' one another because we've been here for a bit but you'll soon get to know us all, who loves what (CHEEEEEEEESE), but we were all 'new posters' at one time, weren't we? :)

ma I'm on day 1 again too. The only good part is I managed to stop myself pouring a last glass, which a few years ago would have been impossible. It really is baby-steps, but we'll get there.

How are you doing babyj ?

Thanks for the welcome, that's a really good idea to not look down the line and just concentrate on today. Im off to a soft play with my son today. :)

Ali, that's what I want to do. Not drink the whole lot and know when to stop.

Here demen, have this and don't be hard on yourself

Welcome mumsrush :)

Day 1 again. I hada bottle of lager last night, 0.8 units, so on the one hand I feel like I didn't really drink but on the other I know I did. I've been to the gym this morning, tried to do a healthy shop - still amazed how much less I spend when there isn't a bottle of wine in the trolley...

Well done baby, guggs, soc, isinde and any others who managed a sober weekend :) I have not had one since dry january, I don't know why I slip up then. I only work part time so it's not like the weekend is the only time i can drink, yet I feel like I'm conditioned to.

Hello isindebus nice to see you again.

Babes I need some help. I've got this function coming up. I really actually don't want to go, but can't fake sick. If i do go wine is one of the featuring 'things'. I don't know these people well enough to be honest. I'm thinking of doing the 'antibiotic' lie and hopefully just use it as an excuse to get out of the whole thing.

Tips here please. Which antibiotic lie is good and one that is foolproof.....

inside missed ya girl xxxxx

Soc there is an antibiotic that is used for dental abscesses - sorry don't know what it's called - that makes you vomit if mixed with alcohol. The others increase the alcoholic effect but can be mixed so your bound to get someone saying 'go on, have a drink, it'll be a cheap night' if you say your on those.

Thanks Annie. That may be perfect. I can opt out completely because I've got tooth ache AND I can't drink. . i'll google that.

And yes, I'm trying to avoid those "it will be a cheap night" conversations.

Hello - I just wanted to say thank you to sober for the words of wisdom/encouragement about stop/start and winning the battle in the end. I am feeling disappointed in myself after a really good four days last week - succumbed big time over the weekend and the temptation is of course to say 'oh well, I failed, can't do it, don't know why I thought I could' and sail off in a fleet of wine bottles for the rest of the week/month/my life. But you are right, it can be done gradually and I should focus on the fact that I did four days AF not the three I messed up. So, here's to a new week..

Aw thanks theScarflady.

NEVER give up trying. I was in such a bad place for so many years with my alcohol, I never thought I'd manage this. And really no one gives a flying fuck how many times you stop and start and dust yourself off and start again. Just keep on keeping on. Any day AF is better. 4 days is awesome. xx

strange analogy but keep throwing shit at the wall and more and more will stick!!!! EVERY day without booze is a victory, EVERY hour, EVERY minute...

hi can I jump on the bus? not new to mn but new name.

had a bit of a reality shock today when I finally faced up to the fact that I'm throwing away the dream career I'm studying for. Have to attend a meeting with one of my tutors next week to discuss my high absence rate. it's always because I wake up exhausted so just stay in bed because I've been drinking a bottle or 2 of wine the night before. Ironically I drink at night to send me to sleep as otherwise I lie awake and sob all night (about nothing at all )

I think being summoned to this meeting has really scared me because I can't kid myself that I'm getting on ok any more.

I was going to make a GP appointment to see if I could maybe access someone to talk to about why I CAN'T SEEM TO COPE WITH LIFE or think about anything in depth without being reduced to tears. I'm 30 ffs. but I'm worried about being a time waster and very aware that the NHS has very limited resources for things like therapy etc.

Also my main worry would be that my tutors/future employers may ask for medical records at some point and if it was found out I drink so much well...that wouldn't be good

ps I am on ADs for unrelated things, have been taking them for 13 years after an episode of self harm (which is no longer an issue but I guess I never saw any point in stopping them)

Hi again. Day one, feeling very blue, will read through thread this evening, needed to check in.

Hi all,

fawltydoge That sounds tough and I can see that you have a lot on your plate. Well done for posting here- I just wonder if you have read any recovery books? It just seems to me that alcohol is really causing you difficulty,rather than drinking being a symptom. You don't need to make any grand decisions today- if you have to drink today then make it 1 bottle not 2 and cut down gradually. Things may seem better when you have looked after yourself in a kind way for a few days.

It's brilliant that you are going to the Dr,please be honest with them. Personally I wouldn't discuss booze with your tutor though.

There are lots of ways of getting sober,when you are ready. Reading back through the threads will give you massive support. Good luck!

fated Honestly,day 1 is the best day to get started on. Buy some nice soft drinks and a treat and go to bed early. You will feel so much better tomorrow.

Welcome to all new posters- it's a big step writing down how much you drink. That kind of honesty shows commitment to getting well again.big hug don't feel blue.

Hi all, just a quick check in and welcome to newbies. Isinde great to have you back with us.

Popper are you still with us? How are you getting on?

Back later x

hi faulty, I can see your dilemma. I appreciate you are presently a student but is there any chance you could see a councillor privately a few times, just to establish the root of the problem. Even if you do see your doctor, many students suffer from stress and anxiety related issues, its the very nature of studying and you certainly wouldn't be the first student to use wine to self medicate... Any decent GP would help you with no blot on your copy book. also try some relaxation apps or cd's at night, it all helps.. nice to have you aboard.

fated your still posting, your still trying, that's all that's matters for now, one day at a time.

Hugs to all, hope springs eternal xxx

Aargh...this is a hard time of day!! I'm usually fine if I can get past 5.30-7.30pm - why is this such a tricky time? I guess there's all kinds of triggers; demarcating the end of the working day, sorting the kids for bed, everything a bit hurried and rushed and stress: but blimey, my entire internal dialogue for the last two hours has been fixated on not opening the fridge door, not opening that (temptingly half-full) (at least I didn't say 'half-empty' ) bottle, pouring a glass etc etc. Why, why is it so hard? I know its a scary, obsessive, addictive poison of a substance, but I am fascinated and terrified by the extent to which alcohol is psychologically as well as physically entwined in my existence. Grr. Still, for today at least, I am feeling like I might beat it. Fingers crossed and hope everyone has a nice evening.

Could have written that myself scarflady
Indie good to see you. 4 days!!!! Yay you.

Now, pay attention all of you as I have a message to impart from our dear mouse who txtd to say she is in hospital. Rushed in on Saturday with some sort of pancreatic problem and in a lot of pain. She says to tell you all she misses you.
I swear I don't know how much more she can take!
I offered to ..ahem..take care of mrmouse for her but she didn't seem too keen. Will report more as and when I get it.

Big hugs to poor Mouse, and a package of posh cheddar too. Hope she feels better soon (((())))

scarflady if you are still there, nearly 8.00pm, near the end of your (wine) witching hour. Can you have a bath or watch a film or get an early night with a good book and some chocolate?

Hello newbies (waves at fawlty and mumsrush), and hi to all the regulars. Sat in Car in rain waiting for ds, overeaten, had shit day at work, grumpy and wondering how to fit in another kids activity for dd who has been invited to join a street dance crew! Seriously panicking about money post redundancy. Sorry not to be much help tonight, but love you all xxx

Yes, indeed, very big hugs to Mouse - it was her gentle, lovely and funny posts that first encouraged me to de-lurk. I really hope she is ok.

Thanks looking - funnily, I now feel 'safe' having got past that witching hour and I think I'll be ok tonight, though you are right, I should do something nice for myself like have a long and peaceable bath with candles and all that guff (though baths aren't as much fun when you can't read in them, and since I shifted over to reading on the iPad, that's no longer such a clever option!).

I love this board. I've been looking for other support sites online (I feel I need all I can get right now!) but this (and Dry) is/are by far the friendliest and least judgmental. Thank you. Do any of you follow/write any particular blogs, and if so would you mind sharing? I feel a real need to read about people in the same situation as me - obsessively!

No wine tonight. My new tactic is gin! Bear with me...wine is my absolute downfall so I am trying to reprogramme my brain, a bit at a time. With gin, I have a half pint tumbler of diet tonic, a splash of lime and a waft of gin, just a teeny amount. I will drink two of these as don't want any more after a pint of tonic! I think this way I consume less alcohol than a whole bottle of wine. At least I feel as if I do!
Next step will be to omit the gin.