The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Swinging Into Sobriety!

[Mouseface]

Hello there,

I'm Mouse, one of the Brave Babes travelling far and wide, stopping off here and there to collect lovely folk, just like you, for a natter all about booze and the blues that come with being a drinker of whatever quantity.

We don't wear or sell judgey pants here, although a G-string or two (Oooh Matron!) has been known to sort the fan belt out on the Bus as we've been driving for such a long time now!!

In short, we've regular posters here, lurkers, those who have managed to keep their drinking to 'social' occasions, some who are really struggling on an hourly basis and some who are completely dry!

Whatever your drinking 'status', you're welcome here in the new bigger Battle Bus, (as requested) whilst we head far and wide, listening to one another, as we face each day that comes our way, whether it be good, bad or downright ugly, we really have seen it all and don't mind one bit. Lurk or chat, it's up to you but one thing you will always find, is a warm welcome, Opal Fruit wrappers (Looks at Ma bosom push up! ) and of course, in complete confidentiality.

So, if you'd like to look what happened on the last thread (a bit like catch up TV) you can look at this link which will take you there - JUST HERE

And, if you would like to see where we started driving this wonderful Bus, over seven years ago, you can have a look at this very honest thread - RIGHT HERE

Hope to see you soon,

Mouse xx

I'm feeling pretty low....I now the samaritans are on hand but from my last experience they just um and ar. I might call them anyway, I'm in a bal place

*bad

Oh will I hope you managed to find some rest overnight. Is there anyone in real life who can help you through this?

And a gentle 'good morning' to all Babes - whether on the bus or in the side car or lurking nearby, it's a new day. Start it well, do one tiny nice thing for your body or soul: eat fruit for breakfast, or have boiled and toast soldiers, (ma dream about real men in uniform!), look at a pretty flower on your way to work, or smile at excited dog chasing its tail. Just do one little thing.

And then maybe another.... We do all deserve good things.

We do all deserve good things

Yes we do - Venus you are quite right. Hope you're well?

Morning all,
Like Venus I hope the struggling ones managed some rest last night.
Will you are worth so much, please reach out for some help if you can (bloody hate the phrase reach out, I'm not in the Four Tops but can't think of a better one right now!)

Today is a new day, let's take the advice of Venus and pledge to do something kind for ourselves. The day is gloomy here so I am going to buy cheerful plant or bunch of flowers I think. Got to have a little luxury now and again.

Checking in here, hi lux and venus.. will keep posting and talking to us, hope you are okay my dear, xx

Bairn rolled in dead bird last night at the river. Thought she was fair Airchie Pluff but oh the stink. Cue bath time and amateur dramatics.

Definitely going to do something nice today venus, will have a think while I'm working and treat myself after. You are a wise soul. Xx

Crawling into side car....deeply ashamed and so so tired

Oh will I have been there so many times.
I "only" drank a bottle of cava last night (!) so I feel average, but my lads have been up and down all night.

You can get through the day, eat lots. Lots fluids.
Hi to lux and dubh and thanks venus for your wise words.
I am AF today and tomorrow. Have booked cinema tomorrow eve to stop me drinking.
Not posted as much because have been drinking a lot of the time...but posting helps.
Love this bus 🚌

flowery you sound low lovely.
I was having those thoughts exactly. ADs have helped. I was going to CBT but can't due to time pressure and work pressure. But the ADs have helped.
Is it that lunching with the not nice "friend" would at least get you out? So is it that you can get out with company? Is there a better friend or a rellie? I'm with the others who said try not to spend time with someone who makes you feel negative about yourself.

Morning all. Its not going well with me although work has picked up a bit. Finding this much harder than I thought and totally pissed off at my ex's maneuvers. (dd started speaking to me again so he's making it as hard as he can for us).

wills I am not familiar with what's happening with you. But you need to grab support wherever you can...includes looking after yourself as much as possible. Must fly. But planning AF tonight.

At my desk now and feeling ok, no headache after two bottles of red. I need to set a hole, something to look forward to. I'm thinking of putting money in a pot, the money I would spend on drink. H said he will buy some nice sparkling drinks tonight and we can talk to try and sort us out. If I do that then maybe I can sort the rest today is sponsored by berocca

Also, does any of you lovely Babes know of a good liver cleansing/repairing supplements?

Morning all! Welcome back into the sidecar, Will! I am struck by the amount of time and energy we spend hurting ourselves. I remember when I was very very ill, thinking about this and really not knowing how to divert the energy into something useful. I did not have the capacity to be kind to myself and I didn't know what it meant. As LuxuryWoman said, Please Reach Out! Alcohol is holding a huge amount of pain I think.

If I can hold off the wine tonight, I will have reached a new goal. I have reached 4 days off the grog quite often, but then I cave, so a 5 day break will be a new thing for me. I think after 4 days I have cracked it and there begins the downward spiral. Wow it's a bumpy ride!

My treat for today will be spending time in the hardware shop. Oooh what fun!

I think Will, that the best thing to help your liver is to eat some good food. You may find some fruit tea that you like. I love liquorice. Oddly it carries a health warning whereas bottles of gin don't. If you are really worried, go to your gp and get a liver function test. I dread blood tests though I have them regularly. I know I can't go on as I have. I have felt so out of control, knowing I have a hospital appointment and saying to myself, I must not drink the night before as I'm visiting the vampires, and time and time again I have failed myself. Not good.

Will Milk thistle is good for the liver and Epsom salt baths to draw out toxins, but, as with any medicine, natural or otherwise it's probably best to do a bit of reading first. Milk thistle capsules are available anywhere that sells vitamins.
Agree with good food, vitamin packed stuff - especially Vit B. Maybe a handful of Almonds with your soft drinks tonight.
We are lucky right now that there is such a good choice of sophisticated soft drinks, gone are the days of just cola or water.

There are delicious tonics and flavoured waters, alcohol free cocktails and tropical juices to choose from and I think it's worth spending £ on something special so we don't feel deprived (it will always be cheaper than wine after all)

Has anyone else noticed Reasons for Drinking? I have noticed that just about anything is a cue for cracking a bottle. A bad day, just had a good phone call, the sun is shining, it's raining, had a productive/rubbish day.. A friend/partner just did/said/arrived... Eat Drink and be Merry... Why am I here?...I am beginning to catch myself out with this and it is beginning to dawn on me that these are external things and if I want a drink, it is because I want a drink, and I have to take total responsibility for it. I am fully aware that all you lovely Babes may find this deeply hypocrytical, and I when I am wearing my Captain Stupid head, all these thoughts disappear into a forgotten hinterland. So I hope you don't mind me writing it down as something to refer back to. I must get on and stop posting. Thank you all so much for being there.

Sorry for going AWOL for a few days babes! I’m good, well brilliant really, just been busy and distracted etc.

Lux how are you babe, how’s your back? It’s great to hear you sounding so positive and so in control, I can see myself in things you’ve said
Paws I’m so sorry to hear about your MIL, how are you bearing up? Try and look after yourself lovey
Pedro you definitely can do it!
Flowery Well done for speaking to the HV, that must have taken so much courage. Your posts show what an amazing, caring mother you are and it’s clear your children are your life.
Progress Fab on the progress It’s hard resisting temptation so well done you
Ma well done to your dd! Giving exercise a go sounds good, it makes you feel better and gives you a license to eat a mars bar
Dubh the terrorist sounds fab, keeps you on your toes in any case! And lovely and furry! Weights are good for shrinking/toning up, if you go to a gym you could maybe see what an instructor says?
Tiger keep posting, don’t hold your head in shame. Draw a line and move forward. Dwelling on the past and upsetting yourself will only make things worse I’ve been in the same place so please don’t feel ashamed. I know what you mean with reasons to drink. It’s been a hard day/long day/it’s sunny/it’s miserable out/I’m celebrating/I’m commiserating etc.
Elba how are you feeling?
Hello faire your idea sounds fab, I’ll join you. Perhaps not AF for me but mainly AF, and the crap food needs to stop for me. The problem is there’s so much temptation. In uni if I didn’t buy it it wasn’t there. Wheras I can’t stop parents buying chocolate/sweets/biscuits/cakes/greggs and I don’t have much willpower
Ma if your knees are bad the best exercise is swimming, or things that don’t put too much pressure on the joint. So swimming, aqua aerobics, pilates really good. Boxercise is also good and if you explain to the instructor, they won’t mind you not doing squats and will give you another exercise to do. Sit ups are also good, and resistance machines are great.
Hello and welcome 99
Welcome whop
Broken well done on how far you’ve come. Perhaps you could try something I’ve done with healthy eating? I’ve made a list of food/drink and how I feel after eating them. Not the immediate ‘yum’ or ‘buzz’ but 2 hours later, when I’m sicky, or overfull, or annoyed with myself. When you look at it that way, you wouldn’t want to reward yourself that makes you full of self loathing or being sick really (although I’ve ‘rewarded’ myself that way loads). Reward yourself with looking after yourself
Will sorry you’re having a tough time, how are you doing now? I’m so sorry for everything you’ve been through. Maybe try getting in touch with womens aid again, they are fab I promise. You certainly do deserve to be on the bus, and you seem so strong.
Welcome sparkly
Hello fours
My eating has gone to pot this week. Weighing in tonight (working sat morning so can’t go to usual group), I’ll have probably put on but back on plan. Exercise has been good, I’ve been to a synrgy class yesterday and going to gym lots next week (have been given a plan by trainer that is scary but also good iykwim). Cleared the fridge out and lots of gagging at the state of things someone (dad) has left in there. Making meatballs and linguine (feel posh saying that for some reason) for tea and doing a meal plan.

Hey everyone. I cancelled on that 'friend' wasn't going to be worth it just to get out of the house. So I kept ds off nursery and spent the day with him and baba, lovely walk in the sunshine sorted me out a bit and I had a lie down when dh got home from work,

Sidecar tonight then af tomorrow

Lots of great posts. Made how do you remember everyone?
Did 3 days and then cracked after shitty day. Reasons to drink, as someone said above. Good to see so many babes posting. Sorry not to name check.

Made great to hear from you and sounding so chirpy. My backs fine at the moment touch wood. Thanks so much for asking. You are good name checking everone

Glad you ditched your frenemy Flowerey friends should boost us not make us feel bad.

Hope everyone else is OK tonight. I'm off to sleep x

Flowery it sounds like you've had a lovely day, have a good evening
Ma it's purely down to the guilt of ignoring you all have lost 2.5 lbs this week, amazed really as eating has been shit but suppose I have exercised lots and barely taken any co codamol

Result made
Really tired but need to report:
Pub tonight. Huge pot of green tea; coffee; 2 sips of g and t before giving it away; and a redbush tea. Somehow easier tonight? That's 2 af days this week.

Hi babes. Lovely to see this so busy I just wish I had more time. I need to get on a computer too as reading on my phone isn't easy.

Today makes 3 days AF for me as I've not had a drink since Monday. Last night was hard as I just wanted to taste wine. But I didn't.

Today I also get my liver test results. Very very anxious. I'm getting awful upper abdominal pain and back pain in the same area so obviously I've given myself a death sentence in my head.

My eldest who's 23 is coming along. She fears I won't be honest but I absolutely will however it'll be good to have that support.

I'm still concerned if my bloods are normal and I say I've not drank this week I'll not be taken seriously.

I'm very proud of myself for not drinking as this is the longest I've not done so unless ill for a very long time. Woken every morning with a thick head mind you!

Hope everyone has a great day

Good luck today doowhop and bloody well done on the honesty. I have an excellent gp who takes everything seriously. If you are not taken seriously today. Dig deep, find your last bits of strength and get yourself some different health care (easier said than done I know...but my point is the good ones are out there)

Hi all, just catching up with all your news. Fell off wagon last Sunday after 9AF days and felt useless so only just back to this thread now. On day 2 again now but have lost a bit of my enthusiasm for sobriety, and my confidence that I'm actually up to the job. Still, one day at a time. Have a relative staying at the moment and find it hard to shake the feeling that I 'ought' to drink with them to make them feel welcome etc.

DooWhop Very well done on 3AF days I really hope your results are ok today. Let us know how you get on.

And best of luck to all the rest of you babes working hard to move in the right direction

Wow I am way behind! Hello, everyone!

Just posting to say that, really. Still here...

*DooWhop" best of luck with your results. I was terrified too. I had pains that sound just like yours but by some complete miracle I got the all clear. Even if there is some damage, if it isn't cirrhosis, it is reversible. Our bodies are amazing things.