2014 Challenge

Hi can I join you please?

Today is my first day of not gambling and its been a very long long day. I haven't gambled for years and then over the last few weeks everything has just go on top of me and I found myself back on the sites.... at first a wee game of bingo just 5p at a time but then on Saturday 5p wasn't enough so onto the slots and a lot of money, tears and frustration later im here. Sunday I did not gamble.

I can go to sleep now knowing that day one is over.

Morning all!!

I've got the Monday morning work blues so decided to take some time out, have some breakfast (what is breakfast Monday-Friday?) and catch up with my favourite Army!!

Firstly..........to the man.........Del - congratulations on 350 days mate, can't wait until 2 weeks tomorrow and the Friday night that follows it!!

GamAddict and mjc1974 - absolutely no need for apologies from you guys re check-ins, you were both well on time - 1 check in between Sunday and Saturday at midnight is all that's required.........and you easily met that........in fact, GamAddict, you have the highest number of posts on the thread in the last couple of weeks!! Thanks and keep it up, it's bringing a really positive energy to the group!

Wolfgang - I really hope that things start to pick up for you, Lou and he family........you are in thoughts and prayers. Stay strong brother.

StoneRoses - ........some lyrics for you mate........maybe pertain to how you felt yesterday......."I'd like to leave the country, for a month of Sundays, burn the town where I was born......" but you know as well as I do how that song ends.......and this is the one you've been waiting for - keep fighting for it mate!!!

Bornagain, Lady Baggins of Englandshire (descendant of moustache less Einstein 😉 ), RST, triangle - thanks for the comments - I'm less disheartened and more disappointed.......however a very wise man sent me a text last night and put it all into perspective.....and gave me a bit of a kick up the backside at the same time! We're doing well - in fact, we're doing very very well!

Last, but absolutely not least - freeali1 - I've left a note specifically for you in the very front page of the thread, the first post. We'd be delighted to have you marching to freedom with us. Have a look at the message and drop us a note back confirming you'd like to be in the Challenge Army!!

Have a Happy Monday everyone......better get back to work.......it's twisting ma melons man!!

Mr Brightside

checking in day 59 stay strong everyone lets not waste a single penny on gambling, ever, stay strong

Checking in on day 41.... Just a quick check in as I've snook in at work and I've 8 children to be looking after :-O busy busy busy nanny!!! 😀 Love it really!

See you all again soon, hope everyone is very well xxx

Hi freeali1, may I give you a big welcome and a congratulations on joining us in the challenge 😀 it's great to have you here x

I can very much relate to your situation - I've had periodic online gambling binges on and off for years - I know it's hard to jump back on the wagon, so I want to say well done for that.

I know I really beat myself up at first, for making the same mistakes... But in here I've learned that compulsive gambling is a life long thing we deal with. It's just, for whatever reason, how our brains are wired. We just put up our blocks and precautions and get on our merry ways the best we can 🙂 Relapses can and will be part of our recoveries. It took me a while to come to terms with that and stop punishing myself for them. This site had helped me loads. I try to post weekly in a recovery diary thread (I began almost daily to begin with) and come and blurt out any gambling worries and urges hopefully before my brain manages to convince me a bet is a good idea again! I've had hiccups, but I feel I'm doing well now.

I hope you aren't going to be too hard on yourself, and know you should be proud you're taking the right steps by being here and persevering on your road to recovery.

You're definitely not alone my friend. It's good to have you here 🙂

Pinky/aka Angela x

Hi all Glads dad checking in

Just had a very up n down week with gambling thoughts - I have not succumbed to the slot machine demon.. Just kicked him to the side until he pushes his ugly face into my head again ready for another fight...although he isn't as strong and overpowering as he used to be - ha ha

Keep winning the wars friends

Hey thanks Mr B for the encouragement and forgiveness, its been hard at times and i wont lie and say i havnt had the urge because believe me i have and they were really strong but by some miracle whether it be my will to make sure my kid has a decent birthday or my will to actually stop for good but what ever it is i was able to step away from the computer for abit.. got myself some fresh air in my lungs and didnt gamble so i couldnt be more pleased for myself or everyone in my life which now includes all of you guys in the group.. we all can stay strong and beat this scambling addiction.

Hi fitzy checking in day 63

No gambling to report , feel bit flat at min , stressed at work .

But I will not gamble.

I will never become complacent

Complacency is a killer

Take care everyone , all doing great in challenge , let's keep it going into 2015...

Fitzy

Just read that it was 350 days for Del. What an amazing number! Well done mate 350 is massive and I can't wait to be up there toasting your whole year gamble free which is a massive achievement.

I'm a little restless tonight. The same lad in work who keeps bringing up gambling approached me to say hes just won 150 on a football bet and could I have a look at the horses tomorrow and pick out a couple of tips for him. Fortunately I no longer work directly with him, but unfortunately still see him from time to time. I have told him time and time again that I am not interested and don't want to know anything about racing or gambling. I saw the old me in him tonight, I used to constantly talk about gambling and its so boring. So from now on whilst trying to avoid him, the few times I do see him I will use it to show me why I am on the right path and who I could be if I was to slip up. I'm not going to be that person again!

For anyone with payday blues and struggling at the moment, just think of who we were before and who we are now. Its a long process, but we are better people now and the longer we go on the better we will be and the better the world around us will appear.

Just checking in sorry its a bit late my PC has been on the blink.

Many thanks to NoMaybe, Happy Days, Baggins, and Bornagain for your lovely comments and making me feel so welcome.

Half-Life we are in it together! Thanks for your kind words.

NoCrisis, thanks for your mention. I’m sorry if I hit a raw nerve but we are your family too and you are doing really well and I’m sure your own family are sensing very positive changes in you even if they aren’t aware of why.

StoneRoses - glad you came back - a lesson learned on your recovery journey. Gambling had you back for a moment but you chose life! Well done.

Wolf57 - gosh you have been busy! Helping friends, taking in a recovering alcoholic and supporting them through detox, supporting a friend with marriage problems and also having a visit from your 83 year old father, which I’m sure would have been joyful but poignant too. You have given out a lot, please protect yourself and your recovery. Allow yourself time to recharge your own batteries. Well done.

Wolfgang - What a difficult time you are going through! My heart goes out to you. Lou’s parents both ill, her daughter’s wedding next week, Lou struggling and all of this reminding you of difficult and sad times in your own life. You can’t change circumstances or make things right but by supporting Lou you will be helping her keep strong. Keep your own strength up though - you are doing so well!

One thing that life has taught me is that when we are either going through difficult times or if someone has hurt us that can be the very time when we damage ourselves further by returning to things that destroy us. The bible has a lovely phrase which I think really sums it up! ‘Like a dog returning to its own vomit!’ (very graphic!) Please be careful troops - keep marching on.

Freeali1 - I hope that you have now completed day 2 - huge milestone, well done. Post again and join the army!

Gladsdad - despite difficulties it’s good to see your life music is increasing 🙂

I love the light hearted banter and camaraderie that there is on this challenge and I’m enjoying feeling part of it now - thank you. Mama B x

thanks mama b for the support

i know i need all the help i can get with the awful addiction

its brilliant that you're seeing such a positive view of recovery right now just keep in mind there may be more ups and downs

its not abnormal with gambling addiction

thanks again

Tri

Hi all just checking in for this week heading ever closer to that 250 day mark 🙂

First off...

LOL @ Joanna - Don't be giving Mr B even more idea's for spreadsheets, graphs and pie charts. Updating this challenge every week must already be like a full time job 😛

Secondly,

@ Mr B - Dont be too upset about the low amount of check-ins we received last week. We are all here because we are compulsive gamblers in RECOVERY. People come, people drop below the waistline and people move on.

Always remember that not only have you abstained from gambling since setting up this challenge, you have helped, started, aided people in their own recovery. Theres still 35 of us here that would be honoured to buy you the first beer at the meeting next year, nevermind the countless people that have come and gone.

For many this addiction play's on your mind constantly. Sometimes when you've abstained for a long period you just want to forget what this addiction has done to you. For some this forum can be a constant reminder... hence why some people may just disappear.(lets just hope their still gamble free) I know in myself that I am strong enough now to say that I could manage without this forum, however I made a commitment to you and everyone here and not only that, I would like to help and aid people in their own recoverys, which is why I'm still here.

My barriers will always be up,

Take care all 🙂

Scamblingl

Just to say will not check in next week as on hols.

do i just have to comment to join the challenge? been 'clean' 9 days already but want support to continue!