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

Ooh it's all gone quiet. lux I've been buying myself small treats as I've been going along. Have some new books and some nice handcream. When I have a 'just one ' moment I can remind myself that if I start buying wine again then I can't buy any treats. Definitely helps me through the tricky times.

I must look up the dry September thread, I'm a bit worried about when I get tired and busy again.

Also good luck ma

Good luck today ma in your new job!

Started at the gym again today. I drunk over the weekend but for the first time, I knew my limits! It's a start, again.

Hello!! Please may I ask a question - I have also posted in DRY but think this thread has more traffic.....

I decided to quit alcohol for various reasons. I rarely drank a lot, but drank every single night.

Anyway, am on Day three and all my food tastes rancid. Even vegetables, potatoes, even bloody biscuits taste "off."

Is this normal/part of detox?

Thanks.

Hello lovely Brave Babes

just leaping on to see how Ma's first day went? How was it Ma? - huge congratulations with the job, I hope it went well today

Lux I love love love your posts - it is so good to hear how happy you are - keep posting I'm sure that every Babe's behind your happiness 100% and more I still haven't got my hands on the Garnier thingy How's your day been? How's your DD doing, is she back at school yet?

Mint love your sunflower photo, made me smile! Glad to hear you're back at the gym and that work is all go go go, at least you're banging in the hours - think of the money honey x

Guggs great to see you back - it's always a bit quiet over the summer, we'll all be back on the bus over the next few weeks. You're sounding dapper, how's that minxy girl of yours?

Margie I saw you back there my lovely, thank you for the shout, I also think of you and wonder how you're doing. Sounds like you're acing it and doing really well - how's your personal challenge going? Sometimes it takes a jolt from our nearest and dearest to give us the kick up the arse that we need - some have to lose everything and everybody to get them in gear - at least it didn't come to that! You are aware and dealing with it

Beaches I hope you've had a good summer, much love babe x

Baby how you doing my lovely x

Happy I can only tell you my experience whilst beating the booze - for the first week I had a constant taste of metal in my mouth! It was very odd but went eventually. I think everyone's body reacts differently Keep on going Babe you're doing really well x

As we're on a new page I daren't go back as I'll lose this post. Welcome to all the new Babes (sorry I've forgotten all your names!) this bus is an amazing place with no judgement - one or many of us are likely to have experienced what you're going through - I can tell some drinking tales that will make your eyes roll and your toes curl I cringe just thinking about it

I'm still sober my 'I'm done drinking' app says 888 Days today 29 months - fuck me, who'd have thought

It's good to be back. I hope you're all having a good Monday x

888 days - that's awesome Spanna so great to see you post and how good you are to NC. 29 months -wow, that's so fantastic.
DD is back to school tomorrow, she's doing fine, moody but fine! My day has been good thank you, very busy and productive, I'm loving the single life and not having hangovers, I am open that I have a beer or 2 but the Wicked Wine Witch can go screw herself, no friend of mine these past 8 months

Hi everyone,
hope your day went well Ma and you swept your cloak of power around in suitable fashion. Bet you're tired tonight? Hope it all goes swimmingly our powerful ally.

Early night for me as back in the old routine tomorrow, feels like a New Year and I plan to make it so. Lots of love and luck to everyone.

Had a night off babysitting last night and had 2-glasses of wine (restaurant measures so not excessively large glasses). Today (on holiday) have had a spritzer and 2 small glasses of wine so going to bed sober and feel the moderation is staying on course.

Spanna that's amazing, what an achievement!

Morning All

Misty rain here today

Lux thanks babe. hope all goes well today

Hold you're doing really well, enjoy the rest of your week with DH

memo good to see you back

Dub how are you? how's lovely terrorist doing x

Have a good day y'all

Made check in and let us know how you are please

Morning all
I'd also like to hear from made, hope you're okay.
Back to school today, routine recommences.
Going for AF Tues to Thurs at least

Hi Everyone
I am new to this thread but not new to Mumsnet. I've name-changed for this.
I really need to massively cut down my drinking. I just don't know if its feasible to stop altogether. So much of my social life is based around drinking. Its not that I am out getting hammered in pubs and clubs all the time, I'm talking a "cheeky" glass (bottle) at a mum friend's house, family BBQs, Sunday afternoons in the beer garden with friends and kids.

I just wish I could stick to only social drinking and not drinking at home on my own.
I have always struggled to keep a lid on my drinking if Im honest back to uni days. I can easily put away a bottle of wine on my own at night. I get home at 6, open a bottle and then start cooking the kids tea. Ive had periods of months/years when PG and breastfeeding when I've stopped and then its crept up again.
I've recently separated from my husband and have been giving myself the excuse that its not a good time to try and stop drinking but actually its making things worse. Ive started smoking again since the separation after quitting for 15 years. I'm 2 stone overweight. Recently I've had recurrent UTIs, chest infections and now have high blood pressure. I've had to have loads of time off work for my illhealth which makes me feel so guilty. I'm really worried about liver damage. I also can't afford to spend £7 a night on wine, over £200 a month plus cigarettes. I really hope this thread can help me :(

hi ruby, this thread is great you can be honest and no-one will judge and you will get support from posters who really understand.
I joined in about 10 months ago and I'd say I have halved my intake which is down to support advice and info on here. Welcome.

Thanks theanswer for the welcome. I actually feel a sense of relief just writing that all down. I'm so tired of worrying about my drinking and feeling guilty.

All the books and blogs talk about total abstinence being the only way. I am struggling to accept that I could ever have had my last drink. My mum is in AA, and there is alcoholism in the family. My mum has been sober seven years. She has dropped hints but to be fair she hasn't directly said to me that she thinks I should go to AA. I don't think AA is for me because I don't want to never drink again. I want to be able to drink when I am out with friends but not at home alone. Is this possible?

White wine is my real downfall. Once the bottle is open I can't stop until its empty. I did try swapping it for gin or beer and found that my intake of those just went up instead to the same amount a night. In the mirror I look ok (kidding myself?) but my face looks really puffy in photos.

I feel the same way about abstinence. I dunno.
Wine is my drink of choice and yes it's very hard to not drink the bottle.
I've decreased by having more AF days and still having the bottle the other evenings, so that's still no good health wise but is progress.
Write it here. You'll often get replies but not always but as you say just the writing it down helps.

Hi Ruby, I'm in a similar boat to you it's sounds like so I gave myself a 100 days AF to do... to reset myself and my tolerance and habits. Seemed daunting but once into ot it's been pretty easy... because there's an end date... about a month to go now. BUT it has made me really look at myself, how I was feeling and I'm not sure if at the end of 100 days I'll drink at all now. I feel fantastic after being really run down, and am used to doing stuff sober - even nights in the pub. AF wine or beer has helped in social situations.
For me just having that break has been absolutely transformative and cleared my head completely... might be with considering if 'forever' is too much right now

Thanks chronicle food for thought.

Hi everyone (waves) thanks to this thread I have been af for 16 days today, doesn't seem like a big deal written down, anyway this thread has really helped me, lux I love your posts so encouraging. ruby I was the same as you and have decided at the moment I need to be af I cannot moderate and its all due to the wine witch. I feel great at the moment my skin is so much better and less puffy, I have more energy and am hopeful I can continue.

I know what you mean that giving up feels daunting I felt like that and do still get a bit angry about the fact I can't just have 1 glass of wine, not bothered about any other alcohol.

Anyway just wanted to say thanks to everyone i am off to look at some nip and tuck bits. Have a great evening.

I meant nip and fab does not bode well or though some Botox wouldn't go a miss.

Thanks answer chronicle rupert so this is my first AF evening. I have had the odd one or two over the summer but not for a few weeks. I feel exhausted, I think the first glass or two would perk me up normally. But I've been ill as well recently. I'm not sure what my plan is yet so maybe just one day at a time.

Wine really is a witch. It feels like such a weight around my neck, the worry about what it's doing to my body is always there. Feeling pretty down this evening.

I felt down initially too I was grumpy and fed up but as someone on this thread advised by 2 weeks you start to feel better and I really did, I was on 3-5 bottles of wine a week maybe more. Yesterday I found an open bottle in the fridge that my do left there and I poured myself a glass and put it to my mouth but I didn't want it so I threw it away. A couple of weeks ago I would not have stopped and if it was open I would have to drink it. You can do this ruby I am under no illusion that this will be easy and i may have a slip up which scares me.

I don't know if I want to never drink again so at the moment it's one day at a time.

Hi lovelies,
Welcome Ruby one day at a time is best, don't put extra pressure on yourself.
Be your own best friend, wine is a false friend, a real bitch.

Rupert great to know you're planning to treat yourself with some goodies, enjoy.

Thanks rupert btw I have the nip and fab glycolic pads. I find that lurking on the S&B board is a great way to find new self-care ideas which are good distractions.

Well I made it through the AF evening. I watched episode 1 of the new BBC programme Strike, enjoyed it and managed to concentrate all the way through. I couldn't have done that if drinking, would have got distracted or fallen asleep.

I've taken 25mg promethazine, a non-addictive (antihistamine) sedative which should help with the sober sleeping.
See you tomorrow folks.

And thanks luxury

Ruby I am at much the same point as you with wine. I'm currently moderating as, like you, I can't quite cope with the thought of giving it up completely. I have promised myself if the current moderation fails it will have to be AF.

Today (on holiday) 2 spritzers (1 at lunch, the other before dinner) and half a bottle of white wine. Going to bed relatively sober.

Morning boing! Just checking in. Still af and really enjoying it, I feel better and I'm starting to get stuff sorted out. All those jobs I'd been putting off for ages. Also aware that I'd been isolating for some time.

Had a lovely sober birthday earlier this week. Had take out and some non Af beer. All good.

Love to all x