The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Sweet, Summer Sobriety!

[Mouseface]

Hey, I'm Mouse

Welcome to the Battle Bus! We're a group of travelling drinkers of varying levels, those who are teetotal, and those who have tried so many times to stop, those are 'controlled' drinkers, but we NEVER give up and keep coming back for the support we share, and trying to get some kind of control over the Wicked Wine Bitch Witch!

It's not easy, boy, it's so not easy to stop or cut down some days. There are days when even the Bravest Babes fall into the Sidecar. And do you know what? That's okay.

There is NO judgey pants worn on this Bus and you don't have to be anyone other than YOU to join us

So, come and grab a seat, some Opal fruits, (it'll make sense eventually!)) and meet the rest of the Babes. Remember, you're not on your own, ever with us, you'll always have a Babe you can relate to.

Here's the last thread for you to catch up on if you like

And here's where the entire journey began.

Mouse xxx

Faire!!! Mwah! Big love atchya lovely one.
Ma was always a bit

I'm good lovely mates. Battered, bruised, and a-bit-bowed but coming up out the other side of a nightmare child-custody case.
Love to all xx

Omg that is so me. I want that green dress...

memo!!!!! Do you want to meet up with me and ma again? I'm sure you could think of an excuse to come north.... It's be so long since you've been here that I bet your darling little ones are hormonal teenagers by now

Rupert Hi, welcome to the bus.

So sorry, got caught up in the return of the native long lost fabulous babe.

Talking of which, where are all the others? Joey, Elba, Margie and many, many more...?

Ooh yes, and rural, ladame,thurso...and dubh

Thank you guys, I feel better, chocolate and a hair colour! Just off to google Aiden Turner will report back. Night all and thanks again.

Mixed day here. Horrible start to the day with me and mam arguing (poss tmi but am on period sat on her bed and leaked through somehow. Cue calling me a filthy cow and being quite nasty). Good finish though - was successful in assessment day last week! Have some forms to print and fill in and post, and a fitness test to go to the week after next. So will be training as of tomorrow.

Went on trip with refuge to Folly Farm yesterday. Great day, really lovely and I even caught a tan (much nicer up West!). Sore feet but I don't mind that.

Cwtched in bed watching the Bill online (1st time)

That's unkind of your mum madein is she often like that? Congrats on passing your assessment - do I remember rightly from your previous post that it was for the police?
Sorry all if I over shared about the age I started on the booze.
Another AF day today. Feeling quite pleased about that as I was definitely tempted when DH went to the shop for some beers - he's trying to moderate and have some AF days. I'm really impressed with how he's doing tbh, but am keeping out of it as far as I can. I think we need to both focus on sorting ourselves out. Also I don't think he appreciates people trying to be supportive. He'd rather do things his own way and I can understand that.
Glad you are feeling better now Rupert. Let us know how it goes with your GP. I am also frightened of speaking to mine.

I was 13 flowers slippery slope
Don't apologise for anything here lovely x

Night all. Long but fun evening x

5 units on weds.
Atypical week as DSs are away with their father, but I'm not doing very well am I?!
Have a good Thursday babes

mouse
I think I mentioned previously that my Dad has the CPAP machine, it's helped immensely. He's had a series of strokes and a TIA and now has pneumonia but he's like the million dollar man and keeps going on. I'm so glad you enjoyed your holiday. Sunshine always helps . And huge congratulations on your DD achievements.

Hi all, I've been hanging about, not sure about posting, have NC'd.
I have a problem with drinking. I grew up around alcoholics and problem drinkers (all functioning, but you know how that goes..) and now I finally see the problem in them, I also have to admit my own problem.
I don't really remember a day without a drink in my hand for the last few years except when working nights... and even then, I don't want to admit, but I have had a small drink before going in a couple of times... Christ. What I noticed though, is that everything else got pushed aside so I could have a drink, social life, helping people out, all so I could hide away with my wine or my gin. It didn't have an effect anymore either, I could drink spirits all evening long and still appear (I think & hope) sober.
I have had 3 alcohol free days this week and had one, small lager (my choice) one day. The change in how I feel already is motivation to keep going.
I'm also 4 weeks smoke-free. Stopped cold turkey four weeks ago, I amazed myself.
Mind if I join you?

Hi none I'm new here too and have already had some kind words from the babes, I can sympathise with you I too rarely went an evening without a drink in my hand, I like how it takes the edge off but, I stopped doing things too. I'm 4 days af today and still feel a bit rubbish GP tomorrow as I have attempted 3 times to quit and have failed.

I do struggle to see a life without alcohol that warm fuzzy feeling, reassuring and forgiving but it's those around me that suffer. I was able to convince myself I didn't have a problem as I was able to work, raise the kids, didn't ever get in the car after drinking or even the morning after but, I guess that is what is known as a functioning alcoholic. I'm sure together we can do this.

Welcome five and well done on a very good start.
Rupert 4 days is excellent.
I got my P45 today and tomorrow is my last day in work. Very mixed feelings. I set the company up and have fought tooth and nail for 5 years for it to survive, so its very much my baby. But its time to go....

Thanks lux good to know I'm not the only one who started ridiculously young.
Still AF today - feels like by the skin of my teeth though - I have been so irritable and completely unreasonable. At least I recognised it myself though and have tried not to be too much of a cow ... still felt sorry for poor DH, who also managed and AF day...for some reason that was also irritating. Hope this passes. Not really liking sober me very much today.

flowers I'm day 4 today and the last 2 days I have been vile, feel more normal today but it's still really difficult, everywhere I go I see wine.

Anybody around?
Another alcohol free day yesterday. Had dinner with people who were drinking and I was very tempted but I didn't have any. It's really early days but I really don't want to go back to how things were.
I was also thinking this morning how much money I will save if not drinking and not smoking. Might be able to afford decent food! Imagine...
I'd estimate I was spending at least £70 a week on drink and cigs. No wonder I feel poor!

Sorry, rupert how did the GP go? I hope they can offer you some support.
Can you avoid places where they sell alcohol? Some are easier than others I guess, but if there's a halal supermarket near you, that could help with the avoiding the wine aisle aspect at least. I hear mood swings are typical when withdrawing from alcohol, I'm sure it will pass, one day at a time.

Well done plusfive dinner with friends can be tough.

rupert I didn't mind so much seeing wine bottles in a shop - it was things like magazines which seemed to be page after page of ice-cold glasses or delicious looking cocktails. I had to remind myself that they were artificial shots posed by a food stylist, not real.

Hi None you did really well avoiding the alcohol I'm afraid of those situations and so far have been able to avoid them.
My GP visit went surprisingly well I nearly cancelled this AM I was worried about wasting their time. Anyhow my GP was really sympathetic and gave me advice re alcohol, managing situations etc but he also said my level of drinking (whilst high) does not warrant much intervention, he explained that I have demonstrated a high level of control as I have been AF for 5 days so he thinks aa is a bit too hardcore for me at my level, he has said an occasional slip up is ok and not to beat myself up if it does happen just get back on it the next day.
I feel a bit better now thank you venus and none for asking. Is there really life without Pinot I guess I will need to find out.

Hi rupertswife well done on making it to day 5. Just wanted to say that I felt loads, loads better once I got to day 7 and I felt bette emotionally a couple of days after that. Keep going!

plusfive giving up the booze & fags is amazing! You really will feel like wonder women soon. Do go & spend some of that seventy quid on a treat, help to stick to it all.

Hi there venus how are you, lovely?

Hi guggenheim how long have you been AF out of interest? Tell me if that's too personal.
I certainly should start saving up the money I save, ideally though I'd spend it on somewhere better to live.
Well done for speaking to the GP honestly rupert I don't think there is a cut off point in terms of severity for AA though, if you're concerned about your drinking and it is affecting your life and your family, AA is probably worth a go.

I think the GP was not convinced I would benefit from aa in terms of my level of control over my drinking, I will keep an open mind depending how I go, I did look at aa and was not totally convinced it was for me, some of the leaflets were a bit odd!! Happy to be corrected if I'm wrong, I know loads of people find them fab.
For now I'm going to try to get back into running and healthy eating to focus me, does anyone replace the wine with drinks they could recommend me?

Ok, on my second 500 ml bottle of cider at the moment and plan to make it the last (for today). That will make 5.2 units today. I feel horrendous though and am not really enjoying the drink. I don't know where this mood has come from, but I just feel angry most of the time and am desperately trying not to bite everyone's heads off. When I say I everyone, I mostly mean DH. This may sound bonkers, but because we've been partners in drinking crime, I blame him for it somehow and I feel like we've just been drinking instead of having a life. And now I want a life . I actually feel like I might be losing it a bit...

OK that's the usual me-me-me for today. Rupert - I guess its good that your GP doesn't think AA is necessary - but you know yourself best. If you can do it on your own, all well and good. If you struggle, perhaps it might be worth a try?

Anyway, what do I know? Not very much about not drinking, unfortunately.