Oh no

Had a really rubbish week at home and work which I wanted to escape from. I still do in many ways but I didn't gamble. That would have been my normal drug of choice but by reading various posts and keeping an awareness of the extra misery gambling causes I didn't. Gambling has been used for me as an escape and a way to self destruct (knowingly self destruct) in the past when life goes wrong but this time I didn't allow it to happen. I guess that's progress...Plenty to talk about with the counsellor this week! Keep going everyone.

Well 30 days today of abstinence which is at least a start. I'm starting to recognise my triggers and have managed to stop myself at those bad moments. I think most of us have a strange and obsessive relationship with money and even when in recovery we obsess about bills, debts and our financial position. I think real recovery comes when this starts to recede when money loses its priority and focus changes to other priorities. I'm not there yet (it's hard when money remains tight) but I hope that comes in time. For now I am relieved that I'm not making difficult days harder by binging online or in the bookies. Good luck to one and all.

Good to read your 30 days abstinence and it gives me encouragement I obsess about money and won't spend on essential and nice things but think nothing of spending months wages in few hours how twisted and stupid is this?

Lol i know what you mean.

I was out shopping and baulked at paying £20 for something....wouldnt have batted an eyelid at putting that money on a horse or in a machine.

Thats were i know i need to recover and learn to be normal again.

Well done on 30 days...great achievement.

Stay strong

Hello Downand Out. Many thanks for your post. Always great to hear from anyone. Well done on 30 days. Not far behind you at all.

You may well be in the same profession as me if you are bombarded with calls and e-mails from 9-5 and yet could be sued and lose your livelihood if distracted and make a mistake. Your busiest days are Fridays. Month ends are a nightmare. There is nothing pleasant about Christmas, Easter and Summer Holidays. You do not know what 9-5 really means. You have either got no work or way too much work om your desk. Taking annual leave is more trouble than it is worth. Am I in the right ballpark?

Best,

Mark

Aha! I understand you completely as you try and put people on the ladder. I am in a related job, unpopular actually working with those 'seeking a better life' (don't tell UKIP). Inadvertently your diary ,sometimes with black clouds,has helped me a lot and your reference to the RTP immediately resonated. Thanks for your thoughtful and always honest posts.

And yes how dare I take more than a few days off...

Thanks also Paul and Dez for your encouraging posts. It really does mean something when total strangers are in your corner. I hope you are both doing well in your recovery.

Well done on 31 days! Keep it up....don't let us down, we're logging in and you have total support!

Ah thanks Deanyboy it is so encouraging to get a message like that. It has been harder for me this week when life has been testing so I have been more active on the forum and it really helps when the triggers are pushing me. Thanks again.

I was just gonna:

#alsoinyourcorner

but then realised you may think I was talking about work! I'm not, I'm flying by with a wave of support & a congratulations on your 1st month 🙂

The hard days will come & if being here makes them slightly easier then we all win - ODAAT

Thanks for your post, your doing so well, cannot wait to get where you are. Stay strong,
No more losing
X

For years gone hungry at work rather than spend couple quid on sarnie but think nothing of blowing £200 at lunchtime need to change my thinking and be kind to myself we all do.. Keep it up its really encouraging to read your posts

Hi to you all. 51 days. So it can be done. All the best to everyone.

Well done!

Keep up the good work and don't let the greedy b.......s make your life hell!

Ergos (last day of gamble 27 Apr 2015)