The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Go Sober For October?

[Mouseface]

Hello, 'tis me, Mouseface, welcome to the Bus, aka Gerarld.

We're a bus full of various Babes, from those who are as dry the Sahara, those who drink in moderation, those who binge drink and can go for weeks without a drop and then fall arse over tit (pardon the french!) straight off the bus and into the sidecar, and then we have Babes who try every single day to give up.

The thing is, we all do 'this' ONE DAY AT A TIME and with passion too. You have to WANT to stop with every fibre of your being.

And that's what this bus is about. We support each other. No matter how many times you fall of the Bus, we'll always be here to scoop you back up and listen.

So, come and join us. Lurk, or grab a seat, make sure you're comfy and enjoy the journey as we talk about the dreaded drink, plus everything from how expensive Tena Lady's are, to what's in the slow cooker!

We don't judge, this isn't a competition, it's our lives.

And if you'd like to read the last thread, HERE IT IS

Plus, if you'd like to see where the Bus started out, you can RIGHT HERE

Hope to see you soon xx

Thanks Ozzde, Hold and Mint. I ate a family bag of doritos when I got home but it was nice to wake up without having a hangover and more importantly not having The Fear of what I'd said or done the night before. On so many occasions I've spent the next day literally hating myself and picking over every comment (that I could remember). Two weeks ago I went to a party and literally chewed the ear off some poor teacher about Government funding for SEN. I am still cringing now. That's why I need to calm down/moderate/abstain- the self loathing is crippling me.

Wishing all the babes a good weekend whatever that entails.

Welcome to the weekend. Can be a tricky one, often is for me. DH is away so the routine is a little different, which might help. Still feeling tempted, although I'm determined not to have any booze at all until after DD's birthday party next Sunday. And would like to think I can stay AF for a while longer, too.

why it's really late and I'm half asleep but I just saw your post. I'm going to come back to you tomorrow but didn't want you to feel ignored. For now I'll say, yep, can relate but you will find support tomorrow. Must zzzzzz now.

Whydoikeepdoingthis didn't want your very brave post to go unanswered. There is some excellent advice on here and I'm sure you'll receive some real wisdom. I'm a relative newbie too. Still trying to moderate but possibly had a glass too many tonight. Sounds as if going AF is the only way for you and there will be people here who can really help you.

Ah Lux beat me to it but, as you can see, we are here for you.

Good morning Why,

Absolutely everything you posted resonates with me. I have been that person too, more times than I care to remember. During the summer I was blacking out once a week, at least, and in the past I have driven drunk, had sex with people whose faces, let alone names, I couldn't remember the next day, peed in the street numerous times, lost friends and relationships because of my drinking, and generally made a total idiot of myself thousands and thousands of times over. As you say, the shame is almost unbearable.

This paragraph describes me as well: "I don't think there is an alternative in taking back control than to become sober. I've tried before to limit drinks or say I will have 3 glasses but it never works. After a drink or two my willpower goes and I just enjoy myself and then its a road to blackout." You are right - you might be able to moderate for a night or two, but not long term. I only know that because I am the same.

Like you, I have a family full of heavy drinkers and alcoholics. For a long time I couldn't imagine a future without booze. But I think all of us come to a turning point - what other people refer to as rock bottom. I got there this summer after a conversation with my DH when I realized that if I didn't stop then he would eventually leave me and probably take my DCs with him.

In order to stop, you need to reach out and get all available support, starting here of course! AA can be amazing for some people - I went for a while and it's a place where every single person understands where you're coming from. There is so much online support available: I love the sober mummy blog and for me, Belle, who started tiredofthinkingaboutdrinking.com has been a godsend. I also found the Allen Carr book very helpful.

You might not believe it yet but you can give up drinking, but you need to do it one day at a time, not think about the bigger picture, or how you're going to get through certain events. Fill your fridge with yummy soft drinks. Duck out of social events if you think you can't handle them without a drink.

I am 43 days sober and the change in me is incredible. I am happier than I've been in years, now that "the fear" isn't what I wake up with. People keep telling me how good I look. I am a better wife and mother and friend. I achieve so much more both at work and at home now that I'm not hungover all the time.

You can do this and this bus is a great place to start. Hugs to you.

why some years back I was in the same place you are now. I was on the first Dry threads because because my drinking had reached a stage it had emotionally and mentally battered me. I was blacking out a lot and had done many things I was ashamed of. I didn't recognise the person I was anymore and I didn't like her yet I kept piling on more guilt and shame by trying to bury it at the bottom of a glass.

I took a year off and rediscovered myself. Ok, I'm back here but I've never gone back to that extreme pattern again. Every time now I see my drinking start to creep up I reign it in and stop as I'm bloody terrified of slipping back to past behaviours.

I know in all honesty I should probably stop for good. I have problems moderating; the saying 'when I enjoy it I can't control it and when I control it I don't enjoy it' explains me to a tee. For now I'll not think about long term what I'll do but take it for today I'm not drinking and leave tomorrow out of my mind. That last drink of yours can be time you stop digging.

I found the support here in MN invaluable. I read loads of books about it; This Naked Mind, Jason Vale and Dying for a Drink are one that come to mind without lifting my kindle to search. I replaced drinking with a lot of exercise instead, took up hobbies and started meditating. The subreddit stopdrinking isn't a bad place either and would often knock cravings by reading other experiences at times I was feeling tempted.

You can move forward from this

Morning all. I am ggoing for sober October. Sick to death of drinking. Anyone else up for it?

Ma
Yep. I'm up for sober October. I ended up having half a bottle of Pinot after work yesterday 😕 I've just been to the gym and feel shit.
Why Margie
Both your posts resonated with me. I only have to think back to last weekend.

Count me in. I'm also giving up the smokes as I stupidly started again after a long time off them.. My body shall be a temple this October

I'm signed up for Sober October. Got two big events that I'll need some mental prep for but am determined! Reckon the longest I've been AF for in the last 20 years has been four or five days, so wish me luck!

Eek!

I hope you are feeling a little better now Why. If you haven't been able to eat for three days it does sound like alcohol poisoning so go gentle on yourself. Your posts could have been written by me. I have lost the end (and probably some of the middle) of so many evenings out. I have said things that never should have been said. And like you I have put myself in dangerous situations. If I have two drinks I have no control, but then I'd never have less than two so...

I've lurked for ages (mulitple threads) before deciding to hop on board the bus and make some changes. I am going to do Almost Sober October (with a couple of loophole dates - I know that isn't how its supposed to work but mentally it makes me feel less panicky!). And I am going to give up the vaping at the same time - I gave up fags 13 years ago why am I vaping?!
I quite like the idea of my body being a temple! At the moment its more like wasteground (with an emphasis on waist).

Drinking tea...this is going to be tough...

I need to do sober for October... two nights ago I got so drunk I threw up in the train on the way home, my mum had to collect me from the station where I threw up in the car (I'm 32 and a mum of 3 for context) then fell over in the street when I got home and wasn't even able to get up to take the kids to school on Friday. Tonight I'm already half way through a bottle... again. I'm fed up of. I drink 4/5 bottles a week.

Do it with me name change. We need to support each other

I'm in for sober October, lots of treats planned. Books and haircut and lovely bubbly baths and early nights.
C'mon team babes, let's do it and end October fabulous

I am having a facial next Friday so looking forward to that....

I started my treats early today and got a completely new hairstyle. Yes, the cliche breakup chop Keep running my fingers through my hair and wondering where the rest of it is but I love it.

Now instead of showing it off I'm watching Netflix and drinking tea. So bored.

I've failed already. I'm on bottle two of wine thanks to a really shit shit day .
I'm a twat.