Really struggling

Had such a good gamble free weekend and looking forward to the week ahead. Still early days but loving the changes I have made to my lifestyle and for the better.

So pleased with how well I'm doing. I did feel a bit of anxiety a few days ago but not that I wanted to gamble but more thoughts that I used to waste my money so much. Since then my thoughts have been very positive and I'm carrying on taking each day at a time.

It's ok to look back and reflect Sam just as long as we don't stare for too long , it's your future that lays in front of you not the past :)).

Keep doing it One day at a time and it'll turn into One month at a time :))

All the best Sam

ALAN 135 thanks very much for your kind words. You are a huge motivation. I am loving how much more respect I am having for my money. My partner still worries that I'm going to lapse but I'm driven to prove to her I can do it. Like you say just a day at a tim becomes a month at a time. Thanks again for the message.

Still going strong, absolutely over the moon with how well I'm doing. Felt so much more in control of my money and been able to do so much more. Do occasionally miss the odd football coupon but I'm staying strong and not doing it. Here's to another gamble free week. 🙂

Hi Sam and I'm not stalking you honest :)) .

Glad your feeling good buddy :)) it's a far cry the way you felt 38 day's ago and only goes to show how quickly things can begin to feel better , I felt my mind was a lot clearer and I was able to start focusing on thing's again , actually having conversations with people and "Being in the room for once " ? .

Your partner's going to be cautious of you and it's something you'll have to live with for a while my friend and that's no suprise for any of us after the false promises we make but it will get better in time and as I alway's say if the foundation's of your relationship are good then anything can be rebuilt , even down to the trust :)) .

As for the " Footy Coupon " well were all going to miss thing's sometimes aren't we , it's been apart of our DNA for so long and the thinking process doesn't change overnight does it ! , it does get easier with time my friend just keep pushing forward and any thought's will soon be dissmissed out of hand :)) .

Stay well Matey and I'll catch up with you soon :))

Thanks for your comments Alan 135. Ye I'm amazed as to how well I'm doing. Like you say my relationship has felt so much better since I've stopped we've done so much more. Did you used to play the FOBT machines? In terms of the FOBT machines I've just had no interest what so ever which had been an amazing feeling as i had played them for so long. We have a social occasion coming up in a few weeks going to the races with some friends. As it's a social occasion we were going to put 20 pounds in each and her put the bets on but we have decided to not bet and just enjoy our day with our friends. What are your thoughts?

Hi there. I haven't posted on your thread before but can I just ask you a question? Do you feel going to the races is a sensible idea and are confident you can maintain your abstinence from gambling? I can see the social side of going but as horses were my poison of choice I would not feel comfortable at a meeting.

Best wishes, Phil.

Hi Sam :))

I've just seen your post .

Fobt's were indeed my downfall but I used to bet on mainly Dog's or the Gee gee's before that , I'd like to think I didn't have a problem with the latter but if I'm honest I was probably Compulsive before the Fobt's started just not in such aheavy way ( if that make any sense ?) .

With ref you going to the Races and my thought's it's quite strange you mentioning that because I've said afew times on my diary and posting to others that it's the one thing I miss a day at the races with the family , or a night at the dog track , the two places I never went on my own as it was alway's a family occasion .

I still have family members that initially asked if I'd wanted to go along and decided that they then needed to know what had happened to me , the close one's know everything the more distant ones I chose just to respond with a " Me and gambling don't seem to get on anymore " which was accepted without question .

So for me to answer your question and have a day at the races or dog's and despite being in a good place with myself after acouple of years gamble free would be a huge NO NO I'm afraid , even if I were to just go along for the day out without a bean in my pocket , I feel would just bring back all of those old uncomfortable feeling's again and it's really not somewhere I want to pay a visit to again , although gambling loves to whisper sweet nothings in my ear " You'll be fine , you don't even need to have a bet " I would probably come away from there with the seeds sown in my brain again and I feel thing's could go back to my old way of thinking if I wasn't on guard ?.

If you want to go then of course that has to be your decision and I'm not going to judge but I'm also type two diabetic and although like my gambling is well under control with no med's , it would be like being locked in Gregg's overnight after skipping my dinner ( not good ) .

Even if you go to the races with your friend's their not the one's who can't control their Gambling and nor are they the ones here on this site either , that's just us Bud :((

Were never cured mate and that's the problem , the switch is alway's there waiting to be Flicked on but we can control this quite easily really , I just don't want to tempt fate by having that first bet again and If I don't have the first the second won't follow :)) .

53 days can't quite believe it, I decided to go to the races with my friends yesterday and I made them all aware I wouldn't be gambling and they were all amazing. I didn't miss it one bit I didn't want to miss out on the social side of it. Was great to see some great friends. Had such a cheap day too. Onwards and upwards 🙂

59 days and another week gamble free. See my councillor on Monday and can't wait to tell her how well I've done. Love the new me and how I am turning my life around. Even decided to treat myself to a new Ralph Lauren polo today to praise myself for how well I'm doing.

75 days today still going strong. My life has completely changed. Can’t wait for my 100 day landmark and by chance we are having friends round that night. Another gamble free week. Keep it up good people we can do this.

Still going strong can’t wait for my 100 day milestone next week. Can’t believe how I’ve turned my life around 🙂

Hey man I love your enthusiasm! well done for keeping it going.

Keep being proactive about tackling your problem and you'll keep it up! I find never being passive about my recovery is really helpful and I haven't even gone as long as you have!

Nice one mate

Cheers cg-rambler I feel like I’ve finally cracked it. I have full control of my money. I make much better choices all round and I have no temptations at all. This time last year I was in such a bad place I can’t believe I’ve finally beaten it. Keep it up mate you will get there. Just take it a day at a time. Beige you know it the months pass by.