The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Springing Into Some Warmer Weather, Staying Sober Togeher

[Mouseface]

Hi, tis me, Mouse

Welcome to the Bus. We're delighted to have you here :) Not because if you're new to the Babes you are here for help, but because we welcome every kind of drinker. And for all of the reasons life throws at you.

Those that do drink, those that don't drink and of course those who do but don't want to say just how much..............

We've all had our own personal Groundhog Day , some still are and don't want to remain trapped in the same cycle day in, day out, and some still are and want to be which is fine and why we're here.

To talk, to listen, to just be us, like you are YOU. You never know, one day you might just want to wake up on a different day? :) There's no judging here, no 'sides.

After all, something made you click on and read this :)

Come say hi! We even do & if you're super quick!!

And if you want to see what we got up to in the last thread, have a look RIGHT HERE

And this is where our adventure began, almost six years ago now!!

ALMOST SIX YEARS AGO...........

Aw thank you so much baby, now I'm weepy too! I am in awe of everything you've done and I love love love your posts. (I should post more often to tell you so.)

now living is my life

Yes! This is it in a nutshell. For me too, it came down to a stark choice between alcohol and everything else.

A strange thing is that hitting the famous 'rock bottom' (for me an emotional rock bottom) became a blessing. Because otherwise I would have carried on trying to convince myself that I could have alcohol plus living. Whereas in fact, I couldn't.

Sweet dreams xxx

Morning babes, haven't posted in a while but have been reading every day. pop I hope your move went well and you are finding your way out from underneath the boxes - you'll feel fab once you're unpacked (or at least have found the kettle!)

marfisa thanks for your inspirational post, a year and a half sober! Well done you.

I had no idea what a bosie was either so I'm glad the question was asked wry you've made me chuckle with your fantastic way with words.

faire are you embarking on a dry April? I am too...I've let my good intentions slip in March and really need to buck up my ideas this month. So here goes for an af April. I'm in the morning 'I can do this' phase at the minute. No doubt the ww with rear her ugly head later. I've decided to take up knitting to distract myself, got myself a starter magazine of baby knits. If I could end this month having been drink free with a few new bits for my little girl that'd be a great achievement!

Happy Friday babes, sorry to not mention everyone but I have been thinking of you all. And hi to all newcomers!!

marfisa, fabulous, what an inspiration.

Did I miss the party for spanna's year anniversary? If so, congratulations lovely

claret, knitting is part of my sober plan too. I've also signed up to a 12 week beginners sewing class.

Have a good Friday folks - remember it's April Fools day, I've already been caught out once

april I figured knitting keeps your hands busy - not done it since I was a child so starting from scratch really! A 12 week course sounds great, I expect you'll be a pro by the end of it.

I've also been caught out by an April fool already despite being acutely aware of it being April fools day!! Duh!

Thank you Wry and Elba for your kind advice on the other thread.

Every morning I wake up and say right this is it, this is going to be the first day of my sobriety. The afternoon comes and all it takes is a small stressor and then I am back on the wine again. DH seems oblivious to how much I drink, mind you to be fair he seems oblivious to most things! I find it confusing as part of me feels conflicted, I want to be sober but at the same time worry about how I will find an outlet for stress release.

Had too much wine last night and now full of shame not to mention a banging head ache. DC's want me to go on the trampoline.... Waiting for the headache tablets to kick in.

Aw, isindie nice to see you here

marfisa well done on 18 months - what a difference it makes to life

inde, hello, lovely to see you

puppy, I think you've described the thought process of a lot of us. Every day starts with Resolve (pun intended) and ends with booze.

Can you try this evening not to drink? Do a face pack/your nails or something? A bit of self love (ooer) is needed I think

claret, I have visions of swanning around in stunning, one off, made be me creations. The reality is likely to be a bit more bag lady. Which would still be an improvement on my current style!!

Claret Yes! I am doing dry April, starting from today so if you feel a wobble coming on later, give me a shout. Good idea to make a plan to get busy this evening. Remember, it's only one evening, just a few hours to get through and then we can check in again tomorrow

April you should be the last person to get caught out with a username like yours

Marfisa so fab to hear from you and what a super, inspirational post. Well done, I'm so glad that you're loving sobriety. It sounds like The Boing is still going strong with you x

Isinde welcome back my friend, you have been sorely missed.

Ah venus I didn't see your post there but seems like we both have the same idea. Isinde must be so tucked up that she can't move

Marfisa thank you for your post, which made me cry. So much of what you said rings true. I was a "functional" alcoholic in exactly the way you describe - except that I gradually realised that this idea was just a ruse. What you said about secrecy and privacy became huge for me: secret drinking was my issue - maybe because I come from a family of problem drinkers. However, as I started to feel less and less "functional", I also became increasingly paranoid about how "secret" my drinking really was. I was absolutely becoming less careful about discretion as my drinking increased. I'm sure many more people know about my problem than I could guess - in fact, I don't really want to know how public my drinking problem had become. At least not yet. I was the queen of barely touching a glass of wine while out for the evening with friends - but then coming home and putting down a bottle (or more) behind closed doors. I'm sure I attended morning meetings etc while still stinking of wine.... I am hanging in there one day at a time for now. But it's been just over nine weeks and I still find the evenings long without alcohol, and I find it frankly depressing not to have alcohol to look forward to at the end of the day. Does one continue to miss alcohol forever?

marfissa thank you for such a lovely and inspirational post. What you wrote about stigma and shame really rang true for me. I think the only barrier to me getting real life help at the moment is my own self imposed stigma and shame.

pup I can relate to needing an outlet for stress too, and the idea of not being able to bury emotions scares the life out of me when I think of a alcohol free future. The most important thing that I've realised though is to take one day at a time. Just focus on today, make your pledge to yourself whether it's no alcohol or moderation, and don't think too far ahead.

I managed to not drink after work again today, so am counting that as an AF day. Its just one day, but for me it feels significant. Going to start tracking again from today and get a bit of control back.

Has anyone here had hypnotherapy to help with their non drinking?

I'd like to try it, I think it'll suit me

I'd like to avoid naltraxone/ Antabuse if I can...

AF Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday so far.

Taking each day as it comes & grateful my fuck ups haven't had the dire consequences they could have

Hi everyone,

Lovely to see you all on the shiny new thread, thanks Mouse for working the new thread magic.

I have been AWOL mainly because I spent the Easter holidays drinking and was a bit embarrassed to show up on the bus. But I also did lots of thinking and reflection about my drinking and think I have identified my triggers...more of that later.

I will catch up properly over the weekend and try to NC everyone but for now just wanted to say hi to Sober - my Mum was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in March 2011, I understand how utterly life-altering and shattering it can be, feel free to PM me whenever you like.

pinter I tried everything (AA, Alan Carr Easyway etc) including hypnotherapy. Everything had its own little part to play. Give it a go and let us know how it works for you.

april I'll join you in the bag lady look, not sure I'll be able to create the wonderful cardigans etc that I envisage hey ho here's to trying!!!

faire great, thanks for the support, how was day 1 for you? i did ok, it was easier than most of my 'first' nights. Even went to the shops and got dh some beer, usually I'd never be able to resist but I think my overindulgence in March has put me off for a bit. It's getting passed day three that I need to conquer, thats where I usually trip up.

sober I'm so sorry for your sad news.

elba well done on another day not drinking after work. Hopefully you can build on that until you feel ready to do an evening af.

I slept so well last night. For me it's probably my favourite benefit to not drinking....usually I wake up at 6 and that's it but I've fallen straight back to sleep and just woken up - that's pretty much 11 hours sleep last night! Much needed.

Claret I think the trick is to just stay in the day. Don't think about day 3 just concentrate on getting through the 'right here, right now' however hard it seems. Sometimes the craving can come out of nowhere and be very strong so be prepared for that and grit your teeth through it until it passes.

Last night was fine for me, I went out for lunch with friends and was still full in the evening so just watched dvds with dd and got an early night. It's another beautiful day here, so lovely to get a bit more sunshine, spring seems to have been a long time coming but I've mowed the lawn for the first time this year.

Margie glad you're still with us

Been painting the bathroom today. Be glad when there is some order back in the house and it looks less of a bomb site.
However, the bathroom is looking clean and fresh at least. Done on a budget so no fancy taps or tiles but clean. What have you all been doing?

Evening.
Very industrious ma!

I took DD to a science festival show then lunch with one of her wee friends. We made fairy cakes this afternoon and she's just crashed out. I need to move my ass and clean the kitchen but cba.

Nice to see you again margie

Hello!

I just came across this thread - wonderful!!

I'm 17 months sober and in AA... That's a miracle after 5 years of searching for the answer - private therapy, will power, rehab etc etc

It doesn't even cross my mind today BUT I don't find it easy keeping up my meetings etc

I have a 7 week old DD too X

newmama congratulations on your dd - you've given her life and you've given yourself a wonderful chance at life too. Well done on 17 months.

Hello babes. My DH going away tomo to Russia for work for first time I'm 2 years after diagnosis. Quite worried. Still sitting here drinking. Going to bed now as up at 6. Welcome newmama big hugs.

wish what was your diagnosis? I am new to the bus and haven't read all of the old threads. I'm very sorry to hear that you are worried.