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

And sorry, I didn't mean to worry any of you who have health anxiety.

Taleofcaution thanks for your post, I too have very high blood pressure which was a bit of a wake up call. We drink for years thinking that a hangover is the worst it gets don't we?
I'm about the same age as you and although I've known all the risks for years, well, they wouldn't affect me would they? When young we think we're bomb proof but as we get older we realise we're not and it's a big concern.
I really hope your health issues get sorted and you carry on travelling the road to the freedom which kicking the booze lays out. Really well done on your 5 weeks and thank you again for the reminder of the hidden damage. Stick around if you need our support

Well done Elf! I am only right at the beginning, again...I have spent 4/5 of the past few days AF. I do something good and I feel better so I think, oh time for a glass or 5 of wine then.... Then starts the spiral of crap. I too have been fobbed off time and time again, being told at first that I had more significant problems which would kill me far sooner, that I didn't 'look' like a drinker, that I don't seem to be dependent. The list goes on. It's a tough nut to crack and all of us are different. I am lonely at the moment, in my work and my social life and at home. I think I enjoy wine. The truth is that wine doesn't enjoy me, and makes me feel even more lonely and worthless and useless.

Afternoon all.

Elf - have you looked into Fibromyalgia at all or even chronic fatigue syndrome? I suffer from both and spend days in bed at times as the Fibromyalgia just wipes me out.

I'm so pleased that your work are supporting you and your health, there's NOTHING worse than feeling "off" constantly. Good luck sweetie xx

baby - great post lovely, you just say it how it is and bare your sole so that we all realise it's not just US, we're not alone! xx

Sorry not to NC everyone but I've got a counselling session so need to go and get ready to see my CMHT worker. I'll check back in with you all later xx

Oh Tiger yes, I loved wine, but it wasn't fond of me sadly, a toxic relationship if you like. I'm sorry to hear you so low. I'm lonely too, a crap relationship in my case I know now though that wine doesn't help, it never ever helps.

Thank you for the welcome. I was told by a hypnotherapist friend that we reach for things that have in the past worked - so alcohol has relaxed you, or been helpful or fun- and that thought pattern is far quicker than the one that is saying yes but what about my health and my plans and my relationships etc etc. So by the time the real thoughts about the consequences kick in the automatic thoughts that it will help have already had you downing your first drink. It doesn't stop me from feeling silly for hiding in alcohol (and let's face it is delicious and easy to use), but it does explain part of why it is hard to resist.

I need to make alternative plans to stay off alcohol. I saw a poster on the previous thread saying they needed to sort Thursdays so as not to fall into a trap (it's so nearly the weekend!). I used to have Friday nights AF with a long run on Saturday am.

Tonight I am due to go to the pub for a particular event - bizarrely if I am going for an event rather than a general 'let's wander down the pub', I am quite happy on soft drinks.

Well done Elf and thanks for the honesty everyone. And tiger I am new here but I don't believe you are back at the beginning. If you have made improvements before, you can do it again I think.

Thanks TooLate and LuxuryWoman and everyone for the welcome! I fell off the wagon after January and have been bumping along on the ground dragged by the bus since then, failing to hop aboard! I tried hypnotherapy about 18 months ago. At the time nothing changed and I began to find the smell of the therapist's room an irritation and the sound of her voice.

I often have a drink in the evening when I am in fact hungry. I think I often fill hunger gaps with wine. I suppose there is some grieving process involved to realise that alcohol is such a shitty companion. This dear dear old friend actually has it in for you. It's hard to swallow. Well it's all too easy to swallow. Anyway I have things to do tomorrow, which I'd really like to have a clear head for, and really important things on Saturday which I NEED a clear head for. I know I can get by, but I am starting to realise that I behave differently when I haven't drunk my regular bottle of wine the night before.

Yes tiger wine is a false friend.very true
and hard to face. Possible though, really.

Here we are. Evening all. Hope you're all well. It's freezing here so I've lit the fire and I'm going to catch up on Line of Duty. I had my hair cut today. I'm not sure about it yet. (12 inches off) I fell off the bus on Sunday into a bottle of gin. I'm not proud. Still, It's better than the two - three bottles of Pinot a night I was doing before. Its taken me until today to feel human again.
The first bluebells appearing have lifted my spirits.

mouse, how lovely to see you, sad to hear you've had a rough trot again, you don't deserve life to treat you like this. Not when you give so much of yourself. Btw, I love our bigger bus. xx

baby it is fab to see you too, look at you. You are amazing. I am so chuffed for you, big bosies xx

mint I love your photos. They gladden my heart. xx

I am still AF by the skin of my teeth. I haven't really noticed because I live in scrubs, jodhs or pyjamas but in the 3 weeks I have lost 11 pounds. Long may that continue.

My appetite has dwindled so much, but the want for a drink has not. Teeth have been brushed, I have rhubarb cordial on the go but all I can think about is that first sweet sip.I 'm going for a shower, a body brush and exfoliate. Then it's time for my rankity rank hooves.

Hello to all the new travellers! I'm whining tonight I'm afraid. Need a little dab of Barrie love.

ma did you get your frock?

I'm on call this weekend so alcohol wise I'm safe(ish) for another week.

Hello everyone, sorry not NC just checking in. Working silly hours (am a 'yes' girl) but half day off tomorrow so will be doing a proper NC then. Hope all is OK and welcome to all newcomers xx

mouse thanks for the new thread, sorry you have so much to contend with.

Hi and welcome to all the newcomers.

I have been AF for most of this week, aside from a blip last night, and will be until Sunday (marathon day). I can say that confidently because I know I have a pretty huge incentive not to drink, which reinforces that I can do without alcohol. But yet I still carry on drinking the rest of the time, not sure if it's choice or habit or self sabotage or what.

Whatever it is, this time last year the prospect of having a minimum of two days AF pre marathon (as is recommended) would of probably been more daunting (or impossible even) than the run itself, so it's all positive I guess!

Hi- I'm licking my wounds from two days heavy drinking, in a really low place- lost all day today to a killer hang- it's bloody wine, for some reason I can't stop when I start- bottle 1, 2 or 3 gone- drink to I pass out and never remember the previous night only usually one night at weekend
Though and won't drink to excess if stick to beer?? Don't know if I should quit wine only or all alcohol??? Any thoughts?

Morning, 'tis me, mouse

Thank you for the kind words, I'm posting on my phone so I can't scroll back. I just wanted to say that hopefully we'll all be bright eyed today when whet up, and I'll try catch with the newer Babes on the way to Knowsley Safari Park. We're meeting up with a friend - don't panic, we're taking DH's car!!

Breakfast is in the kitchenette at the rear of the Bus, but nowhere near the loos!!

mouse xxx

PS - sorry for spelling mistakes in my posts, proactive ticks!! (Did you see what I did there? I should be a stand up comic except for the fact that I can't stand half the time!!) . xx

Sorry not to nc, I'm new and not quite keeping up yet!

With regard to wine, I definitely think it is more of a problem than other alcohol. If I have a glass of white wine I absolutely HAVE to have more. I actually tested myself last week, had some fevertree tonic in (meant as an af drink) and had it with vodka (double) then waited to see how I felt. I didn't actually want anymore, couldn't see the point, moved on to fizzy water. I won't do it again though, nicer to be totally af.

Today is day 3 for me. If I manage it it will be my first af friday since I was last pregnant, and my youngest is 5, that is truly shocking

You can so it Today you really can.
Welcome Planking yes wine is my nemesis too. I did dry January and then most of February and now I have the odd beer. I like a couple of spirits (gin mainly) but seem to have lost my taste for it and could never drink gallons anyway. So now I'm happy with a cold beer if I fancy it but I do think I had to take that break from alcohol to get to this point and it wouldn't work for everybody as we all have a different relationship with booze.

Hi everyone else, Elba marathon! the only marathon I could tackle has peanuts and chocolate, good luck, really hope it goes well.
Mouse have a lovely day, lovely pic Mint Dubh eleven pounds! Wow, there'll be nothing of you, Rhubarb cordial, off the shelf or homemade? sounds nice.

Have a good day everybody, I plan facepack Friday tonight, nails need doing, feet need attention - I'm going to gloss like a boss

Oh Planking, keep forgiving yourself. I'm now in my 50s and really not until now do I understand that my relationship with alcohol is something I can look at. I managed the dryest January I've had for decades apart from being pregnant. February was damp, March wet, and the beginning of April back to the usual downpours. At the moment I've spent 4/5 days AF with no ill effects so far. I feel better in myself and far less bloody miserable. I had no idea at all what an issue alcohol was for me. It is my way of confirming to myself that yes, I am worthless, no, you can't see me, no, don't take me seriously, no, I couldn't run a bath etc. Aren't we all having fun?

Hello Ladies

I lurked on this Board for a while when I was trying to moderate my drinking and still come back often to see how all the lovely ladies here are.

For me moderation didn't work - I just don't have an off switch. I have now been dry for over a year,

I found the whole process of getting and staying sober really really lonely as far as real life support is concerned. I know there are lots of women who have problems with alcohol but I don't know who they are.

I decided to do something about this and at the beginning of March I set up a support group in Birmingham. For anyone near me, interested in coming along have a look here:

https://local.mumsnet.com/Talk/localbirminghammsuttonn_coldfield/2850510-CLUB-SOBER-come-and-join-us
For more info PM me KOKO

Ok. Managed last night. Tonight possibly more tricky as dp will come home and declare himself thirsty! Plus Saturday we will be driving to and from a gig so no drink to be had there.

Promising a run Saturday morning. elba good luck! I only do HMs, and I train on beer!

quick check in
11lbs dubh ? fuck me you'll be slipping down the cracks in the paving stones soon.
I have been at a gun salute in the castle. it was awful - lots of handsome chaps in ceremonial dress with swords and spurs and stuff. Dirty job, but someone has to do it.

I didn't get the frock - was well outbid!

Oh ma hope you're okay after that event how awful
I am AF one day then not the next, so dunno whether in sidecar/off the bus otr what....
Hope it's okay to lurk and cheer on.
Supporting all those struggling amd babes doing well.

Sorry for typos

Hello, just a quick check in as work has been busy. Hope everyone is OK. Won't be able to post tomorrow but day off Sunday so will read properly and nc then! Goodnight everyone (working long hours is catching up on me, I think, am knackered all the time)

Hi everyone - not checked in for a few days as i have been in the countryside with no internet. Felt like my right hand had been cut off and had a major wobble as i find this page so supportive and unspiring and i thouggt i would wallow and finally give in to pressure from my cousins to "just have one - itll help you unwind" and "oh dont be so boring, come on let me pour you one"....

The more they drank around me the more i treated it like looking in a mirror (as someone up thread has said) - it wasnt pretty and they werent the fun snd soul of yhe party i can tell you - the more i dug my fert in and refused to drink. Yeay me! Its a whole week AF for me so far.

It hasnt been easy and i have battled with my inner worm but ive done it so far ....

Will spend some time later reading back thread and will try and pop back later.

Be strong - keep trying - you all are worth so much more than alcohol devil.