Brave Babes Battle Bus: Next Stop Fabulous February

[SweetLathyrus]

Hi, I'm SweetLathyrus, Sweet for short, and I've been on and off Gerald the Brave Babes Battle Bus since 2014. Over the years, lots of us have maintained the thread, most of all the lovely Mouse, who has been here since the early days, and still scurries onboard when she can.

The bus is a place of support, safety and occasional silliness for those of us struggling with our relationship with alcohol. Some of us are sober, some are trying to be, some are moderating and aren't ready to give up alcohol just yet.

So whatever your reason for questioning the whys and WTFs of your drinking, hop on board, make yourselves comfortable and join in. Driers and Triers, all welcome.

2018 has been a busy year so far, lots of new travellers as well as old faces; if you want to read back on the journey through Dry or Dryer January so far, here's the link to the last thread

And in case you want to know how it all started, here is the link to JWN's original, inspiring thread.

Join us on our journey, you won't regret it.

Thanks Spanna, glad you like the name. I created it today because if someone really, really cared they could have looked at my old, possibly identifying posts!

I have found the 21 days relatively easy but I don't want to get complacent - I haven't tried socialising yet and everyone I know just assumes I want double g&t or a large wine. I have trained them too well!

I don't know your story MissHoolie but if I can do this so can you.

MsHoolies are you ok babe? where are you darling? are you at home now? Have you got someone with you? Keep posting lovely lady - you will do this x

Thank you lovely people for the welcome - what a lovely thread! Bear with me with I catch up on all the individual stories.
Ha .. so when I say glibly 'last year'I gave up for 4 months I actually mean 2016! Sep - Dec... It was an amazing 4 months, the clearest skin, the lowest body weight, the most in control I've ever been.. AH AH AH AHHHHHHH (in manner of choir)... so yes I want to get that right back as 2017 was a bit shitty and now that my youngest has started school I feel like all the reasons are done for getting the self care back on track.
I have lurked on this thread before - years ago! - but I feel like a proper full commitment is now in order xx Thanks again xx

MissHoolies - sounds pretty awful love xx Get up, stand up.. see it for the wake up call it is xx
The fact you've put here about what happened suggests your brain wants out of the cycle.. so keep posting, and trying xx

mshoolies are you OK now? Are you somewhere safe?

Don't drink any more today. Go to bed and try to get some sleep and come back and read the thread in the morning

Welcome, Club - we do seem to manage to 'train' those around us, don't we?

Heloise, the years and month just disappear!

MsHoolies, I hope you are somewhere safe, lovely.

Lux, I hear you trilling away, and it's marvellous.

My pjs are on, a few bits of prep before I settle down to watch Vera, I seem to have managed to get quite a lot done around the house today (nothing earth-shattering, but tomorrow my clean washing will come out of drawers instead of from the washing basket). SweetDog is exhausted and is keeping my toes warm. Even better, I don't have a gnawing anxiety about getting through the week.

mrshoolies glad you came back to us. Are you safe?
Family had prosecco to celebrate the boy's birthday. I had an AF beer.
Day 28 done

Good going Ma

MissHoolie thank god to hear from you, I've been so concerned. Please take every bit of help going. We've got you here and I'm wrapping you up safe. Thank you for posting. Massive hugs.

Ma, you are awesome.

I’m in A&E on a drip because I was so dehydrated but I’m ok. Thank you all

I’m waiting to see a psychiatrist but I am terrified of being sectioned again

Oh love, sending every strength x

thanks sweet but i have a horrible feeling that Dry january will not be the biggest challenge i have to face this year....

Welcome to club and Heloise and hello to everyone else.

Ma well done on the af beer. And well done on the conversation with your DH, it’s something I need to do soon.

MsHoolies I’m so glad to see you here, I’ve worried about you. Stay safe.

Day 20 done and dusted. It has been surprisingly easy apart from the odd wobble, but I will NOT get complacent. Am going to go for dry February too - ODAAT.

In pjs and off to bed in a minute, no doubt ‘d’h will be snoring later after his bottle and a half of red.

No, Ma, but it will be what puts you in the right place to deal with the other stuff.

Ms Hoolies, you are where you need to be for now, you know we are all thinking of you and willing you on.

I'm turning in now, another day af. Night all.

MissHoolies it's good to hear from you. You've been in my thoughts and I know also those of others here too.

So, if today is rock bottom, it's time things started to improve for you. I remember last time we heard from you, you were hoping to get into detox. What happened?

I am so in awe of all of you who are managing to do this.

Still here fellow 's .
Not been on as busy weekend .... wedding and another dinner out .
Kind of popped off the bus, but sort of planned as my aim is to cut mid week drinking completely and I managed that .
Last week I did 3 nights and that's the first time in years .
So, 4 nights this week .

Hope everyone's had a good weekend and I'm back on board with everyone x x x x

I was booked in for a detox on November the 8th but I ended up getting sectioned a week before that.
They detoxed me on the ward but because I didn’t get any psychological support, it all fell apart the moment I was discharged.
I’m still struggling to cope with what happened to me in that place. The lowest point was being made to have a shower with the door wide open with a load of workmen gawping at me.

I'm in awe of you MissH you were so kind and thoughtful in your previous posts. Always ready with words of encouragement for others. I've heard it said that in recovery from addiction, you have to be selfish. You need to take care of yourself and understand that you are worth looking after. I worry that I am spouting useless drivel. But you seem to have so much care to give - and I know that was also your job - how about giving yourself a break? Are you still against AA? I was/am but have made a pact with myself to give it a go if I fail this time. Do you think it might be worth a try?

Cross-posted. That's shit (What happened when you are sectioned). You should be safe somewhere like that Are you still staying at your parents place?

I have spent the last week in a hotel. I’m on observation ward now.

So what will happen if you aren't sectioned? Is your brother still around?