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

Oh ma that sounds simply terrible

Pilates went well - legs achy though alas not been quite so good with the healthy eating as had some chocolate peanuts when I got in. Didn't eat any pizza though (parents bought some)

I will bravely push on through...

On a more serious note, has anyone heard from Beauty? Do we have a Babe MIA?

Hello sorry for the quick check in. 3rd day AF. Tomorrow there will be beer but I'm thinking of putting a limit on it (first time for everything). I'll post a pic of my outrageous pukka tea collection in the next few days. Think I may have a fetish.

Oh god, I'm so sorry for worrying you all - I feel quite tearful at the number of people on here who care about me!

I had a huge wobble. I just felt massively emotional - the online AA meeting had really brought it all home - I was riddled with guilt, sadness, and a lot of fear too.

Thank you all again, SO SO much. Climbing back onto the wagon, one day at a time. And Ma, I've brought along more satisfactory Opal Fruits this time

Glad you're feeling better beauty. I can totally relate to the feelings of guilt, sadness and fear. The problem I have is that since I've started addressing my drinking I have those feelings whether I'm drinking or not, can't win!

Hi all, been sent this way for some support and company while trying to change my relationship with alcohol and cut right back.

Tonight I am planning on halving my usual intake, taking the dog for a long walk and eating later. I have planned a dinner out tomorrow night at 8pm so I can enjoy some lovely food but not be in my usual spot on the sofa with the tv on mindlessly drinking loads.

I spoke to my husband last night and told him I am really serious about cutting way back and asked for his help. I said the only way I can make a change is to start filling up my time spent drinking at home in the evening is to start doing other things. So he has agreed to a cinema night and a meal once a week (vouchercloud cheaply ones) and I am thinking about exercise, blogging or another hobby with the others. It all sounds great in theory but the truth is part of me is already saying the famous words...start next Monday...give yourself time to get sorted...it's a total cop out!

Anyway, writing things here might help to keep me focused. Hope you are all having a good day xxx

beauty glad you ok

dubh hand back the combat gear!

Also, in the spirit of honesty and accountability and to see it in black and white and stop bullshitting myself or anyone else.

I have drank heavily every night, and I mean every night for ten years approximately. I am 35 years old.

I used to drink 4 cans of cider a night and a few vodkas in my 20s.

These days it's a bottle - a bottle and a half of 11.5% rose wine and 3 vodka and diet cokes. I start between 7/9 and stop at around 1am currently. So I am also permanently knackered.

I don't drink during the day and I never go over this amount really, I have built up a tolerance so this amount mainly makes me drunk but not wasted. I am sure I would suffer withdrawals so that's why I am planning to cut down gradually. Knock a drink or two off every few days. I suffer with terrible anxiety and panic attacks (probably due to alchohol abuse) so I want to be as kind to myself as possible. I am terrified and don't believe I can do it but I have to try. Any tips would really mean a lot. X

Glad to hear you are ok Beauty we have all had our dark days and nights.

Welcome roseanya I understand the being constantly knackered! I think you are probably wise to cut down slowly. Be prepared to feel really tired for a week when/if you do quit altogether but that doesn't last long, it's just a readjustment before quality sleep is restored.
Tips, well things that helped me, staying hydrated is vital, nothing like being thirsty to set of cravings for cold beer/wine whatever your poison.

My new favourite phrase 'change your playground, change your playmates' this means breaking habits/responses - so if for example you usually watch a movie on Thursday nights with booze and junk food, then you do something different for a while. Take a walk, a bath, knit, read, call someone, enter competitions, go to the cinema - whatever.

If Sunday means a roast dinner with wine all afternoon, make plans to do something else for a couple of weeks. Habits can be broken with planning.

Read back through the threads if you get time and you will see we all have different strategies, some of which may appeal or make sense to you.

Hope everyone is well this beautiful day, I will confess to a few drinks this week but not wine and I'm comfortable with my intake.

Mint darling, how are you now? Dubh great to see you posting again, wish I had more time to respond to everyone properly.

Ma hope you're well, made you sound on great form!
Elba Toes intact? Mouse you ok out there? Flowerey how are you doing now lovely? Will what about you?

I know I have missed out loads of lovely Babes and I'm sorry it's not intentional, I am always willing us all on x

Thanks so much LuxuryWoman2017 for the tips, im going to spend my evening reading through.

I agree, I have to make new habits or this is never going to work. I honestly dont know what my relationship is going to be like with alcohol in the future, I want to hope I can cut down significantly and still enjoy it in a more sociable environment but that might not be an option.

Tonight I plan to take the dog for a long walk, and delay dinner. I normally eat dinner really early (to allow it time to digest before drinking....typical) but I want to feel fuller later, so I will have a later bigger dinner, followed by a long shower. I will then have some alcohol. I am far too scared to go cold turkey.The big change I need to make which will also help is to go to bed before or with my husband. I never do as I am a night owl and its my time to drink more i guess. sigh.

tomorrow we are going for dinner at 8 so will be home later and I am not tempted when eating out so that is a better environment for me, and I am also thinking about booking some counselling sessions to address all this.

Actions speak louder than words so lets just get through tonight without drinking my usual amount.

How is everyone else doing? Feels great to have somewhere I wont be judged.

roseanya you'll never be judged here m'dear

BeautyGoesToBenidorm
Glad to see you ok me'dear

Glad you're ok Beauty. Once again I'm on day 4. It's Wednesday. Again, with my sensible head on, things seem possible and there is a future. Welcome aboard, roseanya! The wine witch sat on my shoulder a bit earlier. I ate a scotch egg and bingo! The witch has gone! When I'm not drinking, I don't really miss it. It's really odd.

All my adult life, especially with my family of origin, it is seen as completely normal in the evening to go to the pub, sink a couple of pints, have at least a bottle of wine over supper and carry on drinking into the evening. So this has been my default position, and I have spent many evenings over many decades making a massive effort to maintain "normal". At the moment the Not Drinking and being a bit sensible sometimes, is still new territory. I am keeping a kind of diary. The not drinking is ahead, although I am very, very aware that this could change. Roseanya, it takes a leap of faith to allow yourself either not to drink or to drink a lot lot less. You are absolutely right about making sure you have enough to eat. It may help to have something sweet too in case you have any sugar cravings.

Welcome user and rose

Thanks all Just catching up on the newer posts on here and stuffing my face with anything sugary I can find - gotta love withdrawal!

EasytoeatTiger and DementedMa - the user post is mine too, I just changed my name to something a little more human 😊

I think it really is habit, I don't always even want that first glass, but I know it's that "time" of day, I have never really tried not to have it, so some alcohol free days are what I am working up too after I have cut back for a few weeks- she says so confidently 🙄

I think I may be physically dependent and I KNOW I am psychologically dependent so taking this one day at a time. I'd normally have had one glass by now and be moving onto my second. Instead I have taken my dog for a walk, just finished dinner, am letting it digest and then will have my slightly reduced amount for tonight.

I know that Friday and Saturday are going to be even harder. My partner is a light drinker in the week and a heavy one at the weekend so it's going to be hard to cut down even more. But I will cross that bridge then.

I rarely have a night without alcohol. I don't drink to get drunk, or black out, and I can have a glass or two and put the rest in the fridge, but it's every bloody night!! I just can't seem to face an evening without. I am the heaviest I have ever been - ever! It's ugly and it's down to alcohol.

Dementedma I hear ya. I got up to my highest weight in December 2015, and managed to lose 2 stone since then by making smarter food choices but barely cutting back on booze. Now I can't lose anymore until the booze goes. As the sheer amount of calories I am consuming through alcohol is frightening, never mind the rest of the side effects!

It's good that you can put the bottle back after a glass or two, that's where I am aiming for in the future, if not I will have to seek help. I know that regardless of the amount if it is every night it still feels like a crutch though.

Well it's gone 9.30 and I haven't had my first glass yet, which is unheard of for me. I don't want to drink my reduced allowance too quickly and pop out for more, I live literally NEXT DOOR to a Sainsbury's local that is open until 11pm 7 days a week. Doesn't make it easy in a moment of weakness.

One of the dogs chewed a big hole in a posh skirt and I have spent the past 3 hours wrestling with my sewing machine, becoming over-familiar with my quick slow unpick and I think after all that I deserve a treat! Normally this would consist of plenty of wine. But no, it's frozen yoghurt! I've also burned my finger on the iron but still haven't thrown my sewing machine, or the iron out of the window. I can now wear my skirt again although it has a big patch and is less posh. Something I wouldn't be able to do if I were drunk.

rose you are doing brilliantly. If you go to bed now you will have done an AF day!!!
Be warned, you won't sleep though for the first few days. But it gets better after that

Well done rose jamas on now and bed!

Tiger impressed at your mending skills!

I'm off to bed myself so sweet dreams all.

Rose I hear ya - I live 3 houses and a pub from a 24hr supermarket. With a wine fridge.

Ok so I'm on day 8 AF. In that 8 days I've attended two birthday boozy parties and survived a weekend.

However I'm already thinking "when could I try just one glass"?!

I'm almost certain I'll see this week out AF as I've two nights out planned and I'm driving.

The other thing is how absolutely BORING my life and family seem now I'm sober. Awful
Thing to say isn't it?! I had such a dull weekend and evenings are similar. I need a new hobby.

DooWhop Superstar! Well done you.

Definitely off to bed for me now!

Thank you goodnight

Can I ask a few questions please?

How long does it take for my skin to recover from stopping alcohol? I'm so spotty and haggard this week.

Is it normal to want to eat everything in sight and more?

Has anyone managed to go from at least a bottle a night to casual, social drinking.

sorry been shit at keeping up

On the way to hammered drunk after a good few days of the heavy but measured drinking (calculating units etc before driving/working he next day which is a fucking stupid thing to do, especially if you don't bloody eat when drinking. I'm a twat).

Rare day off tomorrow and the most pathetic thing is inwas looking forward to getting hammered tonight after work, not the day off tomorrow. I want to be in bed asleep now (hours ago really), as in would literally rather be asleep or at least in bed, but back to this stupid compulsion to keep on drinking