Brave babes are still here: sping / summer / autumn / winter There is always someone around

[venusandmars]

This topic had being going for years and years and years. Maybe almost as long as some people have been struggling with drinking.

We are still here. Supporting, encouraging, helping. Never judging, never minimising our problems.

If you want to catch up, our last thread is HERE

And if you want to follow everything from the start, the very first thread from 9 years ago is RIGHT HERE

You can join in anytime. Everyone is welcome. Whether you are trying to cut down, abstain completely , or are simply acknowledging that you might have a problem... Post what you want.

bleary I’m kind of with you. I so enjoyed being sober and clear headed that I am , of course, drinking again. Of course i am. Of course I have ditched the feeling good, feeling strong, feeling in control for being pissed. Why? Why the actual fuck?
Going to try and do Lent. I did Dry January. I clearly need a set goal.

Guys. How are you all. I'm sorry for your loss bleary
Just thought you'd like a picture of the walk today. Theres something about the snow that really lifts my spirits. I've a friend up from my hometown so we went to see a little corner of Scotland.

Day 1 of Lent. I think about day 38 for the year so far.

ma you could be set to double that 38 days (and more!) by the end of Lent. It doesn't really matter what motivates you, whether you're managing it easily or through gritted teeth. Every day is one more when your body isn't having to deal with the toxins that we all know are in alcohol. Don't worry about the future or wonder 'what if'. Just do what you can for now.

Well done @dementedma and yay for committing to Lent.

I’m on day 3 again.

It's March, spring is on its way. How is everyone doing?

Morning venus and every one else.
I've just signed up to a 10k run for April. I've been to Glencoe this week in a blizzard and walked bloody miles! I'm trying to get fit again. Had a wobble yesterday when I craved a gin .The longing is still there.

Morning everyone. Happy St David’s Day to anyone celebrating. (Just had a Welsh friend send me greetings).

I’m ok, just so bored. The weather doesn’t help, let’s hope things improve out there soon.

Wakey wakey babes!! Who is still here, watching, posting, lurking. Come and say 'hi'

Waves to venus. Hi all! Not much happening at Crafty Towers. I’m busy, occasionally catching myself thinking ‘maybe one wouldn’t hurt....’. Red wine craving the other day so I, er, had one of those ridiculous hot chocolates with a flake, marshmallows and cream, and probably a cholesterol-and-sugar-based nightmare of a million calories. . Not entirely sure it was a healthy substitute but, hey, I didn’t drink wine!

Still here. Enjoying the not rain!

Hi there everyone. I've been a lurker for a long time but never posted before.

A bit of background - I've been a very heavy drinker for 20 or so years, most months knocking back 350-400 units a month. But today I am on Day 160 alcohol free.

It's taken me around 3 years of practising giving up alcohol to get to this point. I managed to cut down drastically to around 200 units a month in August 2018, and I really thought that that was as good as I was going to get - try as I might I just couldn't drink less than that. But then out of the corner of my eye in September 2019 in our local library I spotted a book called The Sober Diaries by Claire Pooley, ordered a copy, read it, and it has changed my life.

It wasn't necessarily the fact that reading Claire's story finally allowed me to feel normal and showed that there was a way out of heavy drinking, it was more that she introduced to me the concept of getting together a sobriety toolbox to tackle the Wine Witch from all angles. So since September, that is what I have been doing...and it seems to be working. It feels like a miracle.

I thought I would add here what I have added to my toolbox just in case there is anything there that anyone reading this thread (either posters, lurkers, or people who have googled "how to stop drinking alcohol") has never heard of and which turns out to be helpful to them:

• I downloaded "Overcome Alcohol Addiction" from selfhypnosis.com and listen to that 3 or 4 times a week at bedtime
• I always have some "quit lit" on the go. I recommend The Sober Diaries, The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober (Catherine Gray), Quit Like a Woman (Holly Whitaker) and Kick The Drink Easily (Jason Vale) in particular but there are many others too
• I listen to Mother Recovering and The Bubble Hour podcasts almost daily
• I exercise every Saturday and Sunday mornings without fail and try to do more in the week too. Saturday is usually swimming and Sunday is a 5km walk by myself listening to one of the podcasts I mentioned
• I bought a FitBit which has really motivated me to look after myself
• Likewise I downloaded the Nutracheck app to keep a food diary which has also really motivated me to look after myself
• I write in a journal every single day, even if I don't think I have much to say. I'd never done this before and was a bit scepticle as to its merits but honestly it has helped me so much
• I subscribed to email updates from The Temper and Tempest Sobriety School (seriously, Holly Whitaker is a sobriety goddess)
• I always had Seedlip and tonic in the house in the early days so I could have a drink-pouring ritual in the evening that didn't include wine
• I downloaded the Drinkaware app back in August 2018 to focus my mind on exactly how much of a problem I had - these days it's great for keeping a tally of alcohol free days
• I keep a list of everything that is better about being sober and add to it every time I think of something or have a "win" (eg first dry dinner out with the girls). The list is now HUGE!!!!

I think that's pretty much it. How I wish I had been aware of these things before September last year!

I hope you don't mind me posting this and I hope that someone finds it useful. I really do think that I will successfully stay sober thanks to all the things I've listed above - yesterday I had a classic trigger day (majorly stressful and irritating day at work) and although I did have cravings, they were cravings to get out and do some exercise! It occurred to me when I was writing in my journal last night that the thought of alcohol hadn't even crossed my mind. As I've said, it honestly feels like a miracle.

Good luck to all of you

frogspawn wow! wow! wow! What a great post and thankyou for coming here. There is one thing 'deciding' not to drink and then there is another whole life of practical steps that help it to come true.

I know there are posters and lurkers who will read and find something in your list that they can start with...

Hi Lads
Just logged on to post a quick hello, and saw the post from frogspawn. To echo venus- wow! wow! wow! Thank you so much frogspawn for your tips.
Can I say that hypnosis tapes have also worked for me (although I haven't achieved anything like 160 days sober). There is also a great hypnosis/guided meditation by Michael Sealey on Youtube (for free) or a (for purchase) one by Belleruth Naparstek either through iTunes or her website Health Journeys. These tapes have helped me change my subconscious beliefs and attitudes towards alcohol. It is not an overnight fix, but I do think some positive change can be felt almost immediately. Apart from the alcohol hypnosis tape, I have found Belleruth's Healing Trauma tape to be extremely helpful in dealing with underlying PTSD-type issues which seem be one of the triggers for my drinking to excess.
The Drink Control app has also helped me identify drinking patterns and I faithfully update it every day and take action when things start heading in the wrong direction.
Thanks again frogspawn and to all you lads out there: stay well and stay strong. :)

Just thinking of all babes past and present. We've been journeying along for years and I hope that every one of you, and those you love, are well and safe in these very strange times xx

Thanks venus. Let's stay connected everyone, no doubt there will be many new challenges to face during the coming weeks and months. Thinking of you all. Stay safe. xxxx

Troubling times ahead. I'm here if anyone wants a moan or gratuitous puppy photos. Thinking of you all right now.

I won't lie. I'm scared about what this year will bring. I may be losing my job and DH has pretty much lost his as he's self employed. No one wants a Decorator right now. I'm hoping our landlord is sympathetic to us.

My Dad is in self isolation in the US as my stepmum has virual pneumonia (!) Hes mid 70s with lots of underlying health problems so I'm worried sick.

I'm also gutted as I found out yesterday that my driving test tomorrow has been cancelled. Months of hard work and only two days to go! I'm also feeling guilty about feeling gutted in these troubling times.

Stay safe you beautiful lot xxx

Ah balls Mint that's a shame.

Hey, hey, hey babes whatsuuuuuuuup?

Can't catch up with everyone as not been on the bus in ages but I guess if we're all going to be socially restricted for a while this is a place where we can meet up to moan, joke, support, etc.

What better time to kick the booze though. I'm trying to stay as healthy as possible in case I get the dreaded lurgy. We need a name for this badass virus.

@Fairenuff Charlie Corona 😂

Charlie is too soft and sweet

What about Lance?

Lance the Virus

An uninvited and most unwelcome visitor to the bus!

Hi everyone, I haven't posted here before. I'm sorry for being selfish and not reading other posts before posting.

Is anybody else finding the new rules about Corona really difficult when in recovery? I feel like every single rule or strategy I have ever had or been given is not possible to follow now, even my AA meetings are cancelled. All the usual distractions I use are now gone (most specifically the gym). I have no friends or family so I rely on social spaces to have contact with people, which helps me not drink. Is anyone else in the same boat?

Ps I know a lot of people have it much worse and I know I'm probably selfish writing this but I'm struggling and in my own little world it is important

I guess there's not always someone around then never mind and wish you and your families all the best at this horrible time. Take care x

I'm here. Just popping by. We have lots of new measures at work to deal with so it's all a bit stressful right now.
Have you tried any online communities? I have recently joined a few forums and groups to keep my mind from dwelling on things.
My Dad is in isolation and is doing Tai Chi and Yoga classes via YouTube. Would that work? I've also downloaded the Calm app.

I'm here too (after a long absence). The thread has been less busy of late Jovial as there are other support threads more active at the moment, but it does trundle along and may pick up speed again, who knows.

Good point about not being able to go to AA. Are there online groups you can join? It's not something I've ever done so can't advise on that.

I think we will have to mostly rely on online exercise programmes too, although solitary walking/running is still ok for now I believe? If you have space/cash a home treadmill might be worth looking into.

Luckily for me as a fairly inactive introvert pottering around in the house and garden is what I normally do anyway so I'm likely to find social distancing easier. Although I do live with DH and DD so do have some company.

It's going to be a big adjustment for most of us though and I've seen some good ideas online, like taking the time to create, learn new skills (languages, etc.) and connect with online forums for daily check ins. If you're on facebook you can have online games of scrabble with friends, for example, and probably more interesting games too.

Normally having a selection of tasty treats and alternative drinks is a good option but at the moment I don't know if we can get the ingredients and/or work off the excess calories. I guess I would say do whatever it takes.

Oh, and if you read back through some of the posts, there will be all sorts of great suggestions and advice.

If you have time and not much else to do, the very first of these Brave Babes threads is great place to start and to dip in and out of for help and support.

HERE