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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Brave Babes Battle Bus is Racing Along.....

998 replies

venusandmars · 23/04/2016 23:52

Our lovely mouseface usually starts these threads but I've just noticed that the previous one is almost full, so I'm facing technology and get the next one set up.

Anyone, absolutely anyone, who feels they have a problem with drink is welcome here. Whether you're trying to stop, or cut down a little, whether you've been sober for years, or even if you're too scared even to contemplate what is happening. If you think it will help you to post, or lurk, then please do.

There's often a lot of nonsense and banter, but lots of good sound advice.

And there is always lots of support and care and no judgement.

This is the link to the previous thread, if you want to read what's been going on so far The Previous Thread

And this is the link to JesusWhatNext 's original thread started 6 years ago The Original Thread

OP posts:
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11
dementedma · 30/04/2016 09:20

Oh hope will PM you. Your Ds is such a wonderful boy and that is all down to you, no wonder you are proud because you have done this despite WB and his constant efforts to make you feel shit. You deserve so much better love. I know people with guns, shall I send the boys round?Angry
Focus on having a wonderful day today with the kids and then we need an action plan because 2020 is too far away for you.

Depressedmess · 30/04/2016 09:37

Hi all - joining in.
I need to sort myself out. I'm 44 and go through 2 bottles of wine most nights. I'm a classic functioning alcoholic and have been for a long time.
I'm married (no dc) and drinking has been ramping up (I think I've been pissed most nights through April, maybe 2/3 nights off?) as I'm feeling fat and unloved by DH of late. He drinks too but as his job involves driving he's obviously not an every night drinker as would never partake when he's off driving the next morning. When he does drink he drinks around 3 litres of cider so gets pretty much smashed too.
I told him last night that if I went to sleep and didn't wake up I really wouldn't care (well obv as I'd be dead! But you know what I mean I'm sure) I'm not thinking of any self harm but I just really wouldn't care if it all ended right now one way or another.
I've been to Aa a few times over the years, that was before I got with DH during previous marriage / relationships. I did get a handle on it for a while and was just socially drinking or with DH - now it just doesn't seem to matter I just don't seem to care.

Sorry for all the self pity! I did make a positive step yesterday though, I joined the gym as they had a special offer on. Due to work and other commitments I can't actually go til Wednesday but I'm aiming in on it.

I have a lot of friends (all also heavy drinkers of the "prosecco darling!" Variety) so completely quitting would be very very hard as I am very social.

I just don't know what to do :-/

Depressedmess · 30/04/2016 09:50

Sorry looking for hope I've jumped in whining just after your post.

I hope you have a lovely day for your son's birthday I don't know the back story here xxx

obrigada · 30/04/2016 10:35

Looking, I echo what Ma says, he sounds like a lovely young man and I am sure that is all down to you xx

Fairenuff · 30/04/2016 10:39

Pressed don't worry about jumping in, you did the right thing. This is the first step towards a different relationship with alcohol. What that relationship is is up to you. We can help you with whatever you want to do Smile

Just keep posting whenever/whatever you like and give it some time. Change will happen.

Hope I feel your sadness and regret coming through your post. I too have a 16 year old ds and agree it's very hard to see them grow up. I find myself looking at pictures too; in his little trunks on the beach, in his pjs with bed hair. I remember him crawling into bed with me or climbing on to my lap for a cuddle and it is like that person has gone and I miss him.

However, you've exchanged those cuddles for chats, you are still very important in his life and always will be. How WB behaves is his decision, that is out of your control and your ds knows that. I just hope that you don't commit to another 20 years with the WB. My greatest wish for you is that you disengage from your relationship with him. You can still have your great relationship with your dcs and they can still have a relationship with him. But you really don't need to be part of that as it's making you so unhappy. As with all difficult decisions in life, the first step is often the hardest. Once you start you will find support along the way x

I hope you have a lovely time with you ds later Flowers

dementedma · 30/04/2016 11:41

depressed you are very welcome and well done on two, no three, important steps.
One recognising you have a problem
Two, posting on here
Three, joining a gym.

Here is your ticket. Buckle up for the journey.
I have just been called a snidey shit on another thread. Made my day!Grin gotta love MN.

ClaretAndBlue30 · 30/04/2016 12:07

hope I hope you don't mind me commenting as i don't think we've 'spoken' much in the past, but what resonated from your post for me is your unwavering, heartfelt love for your ds. He clearly loves you too; the image of you both sitting chatting and looking through the photo albums last night bought tears to my eyes. I know that if, when my DD reaches 16, we do the same I'll be so very proud. You should be proud of the relationship you've built with him and the great times you have ahead of you. And to do this all with an awful WB well, even bigger kudos to you. I expect today will be full of nostalgia for you, be kind to yourself.

Welcome pressed you've taken a huge step by posting - my relationship with alcohol has improved immeasurably since being on this bus. It kicks my butt when I need it to and gives me a hug when I need it too!

ma for what it's worth I don't think you're a snidey shit Grin.... off to try and find thread to see why someone else does

Depressedmess · 30/04/2016 12:17

Thanks for the replies so far, I can't stay around too long as I have to go and get ready for work. Easy to be a functioning alkie when you work afternoons/evenings! Grin

Sorry for the uber depressing first post, I was in the usual grip of hangover anxiety- feeling better now for having a- eaten and got caffeinated and b- posting here and reading previous posts.

I will be back after 9 have a great day all xxx

dementedma · 30/04/2016 13:45

Shit. Dd2 just phoned with the dreaded tearful, come and get me call.Just been dumped by boyfriend of 3 years. It thought they were rock solid, he's lovely....
Oh crap!

Fairenuff · 30/04/2016 13:50

Oh no ma, that's very sad. Will you be able to go and get her?

babyjane1 · 30/04/2016 14:20

Good morning lovely babes,

There are many times I wish I could jump out of your phones and tell you all will be well, and today I really wish I could!!!!

depressed I have totally been exactly where you are now, if I could have left this world without leaving the burden of grief behind for people I love much more than I ever cared for myself, I would have disappeared in a heartbeat, as I could not leave without causing heartache I chose to drink myself unconscious for days and weeks until it turned very quickly into a mental health crisis which ironically for me was the best thing that could've happened. Instantly your post suggested to me that you may be suffering with depression, not the "I'm on a downer" type but clinical depression where maybe seeing a doctor would be very helpful. I'm lucky I have some wonderful professionals and medication which has been frankly life changing. Since I had my daughter at 40, something broke in my head and a nervous breakdown and bipolar diagnosis found. I honest to god think my old life was gone and I'd never be happy again, it was the darkest most terrifying time of my life and alcohol was the only place I could actually disappear without actually leaving this life.

I have learned and I think this will help you a lot. You can't change everything all at once, you need to focus on yourself only, like a project, you sound broken and you need to fixed by whatever means you can find. Eating well and taking vitamins, b vitamins especially and lots of water will get you off to a great start and joining a gym is gonna help so much, I found excercise helped me feel normal and alive even among all the other shit and even while I was still drinking, it made my body start to fight back and flooded my brain with much needed seratonin.

There is no doubt 2 bottles a night (which I was drinking before adding days as well) is having a huge effect on your body and mind and alcohol is a huge depressant and creator of anxiety so of course we need more the next night to allay "the fear" we cannot escape from.

I've been sober since October and it's been hard facing my fears, feeling the pain and finding the courage not to drink my way through it but I spent sooo much time thinking about alcohol, hiding alcohol, recovering from hangovers, hating myself, I'd walk on broken glass to get alcohol, it was everything to me and now it is nothing, I'm actually terrified of it, I've gotten so much back and my sobriety is the key that brought a world with colour in it back to me, I guard it fiercely but all journeys begin with a single step. This bus is your first step and I'm so glad you found us xxxx

hope Happy Birthday to your darling boy, your ferocious love for kids has always shone through in your posts and your boy knows that you have sacrificed your own happiness to enable his, what greater gift can we give them. As faire said so beautifully, we mourn the child we had as we celebrate the adult they become. My dd1 is 17 this year, sometimes I feel I've gone from hero to zero, with all that's gone on with my mental health she has been exposed to things I cannot erase, it actually hurts in my chest to write this down, the last few years of her childhood were ruined by a Mother who chose drink over her and that's a cross I must bear.

I now know I've lost the little white haired ballerina who thought I was "Supermum* and that adoration was wonderful and I miss it but I still have dd2 and the forgiveness of dd1 and the chance to make good memories to push the bad ones further away.

I'm lucky, this terrifying journey has given me a new found respect for my dh, he really stepped up, I've always loved him but thought he was a bit limited emotionally and a bit of a selfish man child but when everyone else deserted me, he stayed, never blamed me and never left when he so easily could have, and that's made me see him in a whole new light. This is what you deserve, this is what you are mourning right now, I mourned my first marriage and cryed all my tears while I was still in it, the truth is when I finally left all I had left to feel was a sad, resigned relief.

it's never too late to be happy, find love, feel good again, Crikey if someone told me I would be sitting in my garden, reading a magazine, drinking cappacino and feeling very much alive and well I'd have laughed in their face or more likely cried in their face so ridiculous it seemed...,

Your a wonderful Mum, a very clever cookie and you have shown a strength of character in tolerating your constantly berating husband that most could not. Maybe it's time to see yourself as we do, to appreciate all that you are and crikey all that you can be, will be when you have the courage to begin anew... Big hugs xxxx

Love to all, your all amazing and brave and I'm so glad to stand among you xxx

dementedma · 30/04/2016 15:46

Got her. Devastated. Dd1 has been a star. She can normally be a bit difficult and has been jealous of dd2 and the bf, but she has gone out to the shops, bought chocolate and junk food and just sttod there hugging her not saying anything when she came in.
I don't know what to say. BF is wonderful and part of the family. Don't know what has got in to him!

laladidah · 30/04/2016 16:12

baby I love your posts. I wish I was as strong as you. You really do illustrate how much is to be gained from staying sober. I have the utmost admiration for you and all you have achieved. I only hope that one day, I will be able to say the same thing and try and offer the same inspiration to those who are struggling. You sound like an amazing person.

ma - oh no! Poor dd. She is very lucky that she has you though. Not sure how old she is, but I remember a similar situation when I was at uni. I came home and just shut down for the weekend, then had to go back and face it all (sounds trivial I know). I would have loved to have the same support from my mum. To be fair, once when I had had a particularly bad time with my ex (he got someone else pregnant, but that's another long and boring story), I literally went to bed and drank for two weeks. She drove all the way down to see me (3.5 hours) and i selfishly (drunk) refused to let her in. So she stuck a bunch of flowers, and some meals in my garden gate. Only when she was driving back after my utterly selfish behaviour did I realise what a bitch I had been, and begged her to come back. She did, and like you, she just sat and let me cry until I was ready to talk. We have a terrible relationship now, but I will never forget that. Your dd will talk when she is ready and it sounds like you are supporting her in the best way. Flowers for her and for you.

Hope everyone else is ok. I am feeling stupid as I have had two glasses of wine already for no bloody reason. Think I drank more than I thought last night as there is only one left Blush I am an idiot. Feels like I am on self destruct, and that I am not even trying to help myself.

Now I have the fear . And now I know what will happen...

laladidah · 30/04/2016 16:26

depressed I am a newbie here, but just to say that there are some extremely strong, wise and inspirational people on this thread. They are supportive, offer advice, and most importantly - they do not judge. They support.

Alcoholism is a terrifying business. And what is scarier is that the only person who can try and change it is you. Whether that happens tomorrow or in five years. Whether you lose a little or a lot. I am hoping that there comes a point when I can hold my hands up an say enough is enough. But who knows when that will be. And it's different for everyone I guess...but it is easier to try and move on when you have support. And somewhere to just vent frustration or set goals says she who was going for Monday - friday AF this week, only to cave on Tuesday

But it is reassuring that there is always someone else the same (sad as that is), but if we help each other, even if it's strangers over the Internet, then that is a good thing.

Right, enough of my philosophical ramblings, I am going for a walk to try and clear my head.

dementedma · 30/04/2016 16:39

Thanks lala her big sister has crawled into bed with her and is just holding her why she cries. That chokes me up. I am baffled, as is she. The bf is lovely, a real keeper.... it's like he's just lost the plot!

lala don't self destruct!

laladidah · 30/04/2016 17:13

Awww. Bless DD1 for looking after her. Sometimes these things just come out of the blue... Maybe they will sort it out?

The path of true love never runs smooth as they say. I guess you just have to wait for her to tell you what happened.

Self destruct mode has been triggered. But just been for a lovely walk with the pup in arms. Realised she needs worming so I am off to the farm shop local to us. Must leave credit card at home, as it is for horses as well as dogs, and after a glass of wine or two, I tend to come back with all sorts of useless crap that I never use and that takes up space (frowns at horse).

Anyway, I really do hope she is ok ma. And love to all the other babes, who I hope haven't been as stupid as me today.

WillAndDisgrace · 30/04/2016 18:13

Sorry to jump in without NC or looking back but I'm really low. Just been accused by my DH of flirting with his cousin (on my mums grave absolutely not, he's always been a bit jealous and possessive and had had therapy for it). I'm so hurt, that's so not me and I crying. I was trying to arrange a surprise 40th and all my secretiveness got me in trouble. Rum is being drunk

WillAndDisgrace · 30/04/2016 18:15

No my DS is upset because we had a row and I slammed a door.

WillAndDisgrace · 30/04/2016 18:15

He's such a bully!!!! (Husband, not DS)

WillAndDisgrace · 30/04/2016 18:17

I'm so upset, wish I had friends :(

laladidah · 30/04/2016 18:25

Ah will here is a hand grenade. Chin up lovely

laladidah · 30/04/2016 18:28

Arghhhhh! Meant hand hold, not hand grenade!!!! Sorry Blush

He sounds like he is being an arse, but he must have some redeeming features else you wouldn't have married him?

laladidah · 30/04/2016 18:37

will are you ok?

WillAndDisgrace · 30/04/2016 18:39

I'd like the grenade....I feel pretty lonely. DH just stormed out and I have no one to phone

WillAndDisgrace · 30/04/2016 18:39

Don't think, just drink