Afternoon all,
Checking in to report a gamble free week. Keep up the good work everyone and together we can beat this addiction.
Mike
Hi all, many apologies for not checking in for the last few weeks... Firstly lets begin by saying that tomorrow I will have reached the 1 year milestone of not gambling!!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Now let me explain why I havn't checked in and what I've been up to.
For almost 2 weeks I was on holiday with the Mrs. I had budgetted to save a certain amount for the holiday 3 months prior to our holiday and I saved exactly the amount I had as a target. Spending it abroad felt great, knowing that I had managed to save it. The holiday was awesome.
Also I got all my Xmas shopping done 3 - 4 weeks ago, as in the last few years I've always done it last minute on payday before xmas always , leaving me struggling through January due to gambling. This year I wanted to do it different and I have 🙂 I actually cant wait to hand out the gifts I bought on Xmas day and am really looking forward to it for a change.
As well as that I've been getting stuck into some free courses that my workplace offer to help my CV grow and develop myself as a person. This has been time comsuming, but I'm almost finished with that now.
So many many thjngs have changed for me in 1 year, all for the better. I can only hope my post encourages the people still in the early stages of recovery. Stick with it and it will work out good !
So thats me back into the 2014 challenge and bring on 2015!
Checking in 1 year gamble free
Scamblimg
Evening all
Sorry for the late check in
I have not been on the forum at all this week, been letting my mind adjust to the medication I have been prescribed.
Happy to say I am gamble free and intend to stay that way.
Abstain and maintain
Duncs stepping forward never back.
HUGE CONGRATULATIONS SCRAMBLING on 365 days=1 year gamble free. Well done, you're an inspiration to us all.
Mo
Scambling - congratulations - what a fantastic achievement! I'm so delighted for you and all your family - you are all winners 🙂 What a very positive and inspiring post you put on yesterday! Now you have a new life. Don't ever let complacency creep in - always stay on the winning team of recovery and continue to embrace it 🙂 Love Mama B x I'm now looking forward to our own celebrations! What a difference a year has made!
So sorry. I think I forgot to check in last week. Still GF. Elfie x
We are down to the last few weeks and days of 2014…………..4 more weeks, 4 more check ins, 4 more updates takes us to 4th January…….and the end of the 2014 Challenge……..and maybe the beginning of the 2015 Challenge? There’s 24 days of the year left after today – doesn’t sound like anything at all and I’m sure it will all pass by in a blur, however, it may also seem like an eternity away for some of us. Every single day is a battle, every single day is significant and every 24 hours that pass without staking any of your hard earned cash is a victory like no other.
Hi soldiers……..my name is Tony, I am 42 and I am a compulsive gambler. I am married and have an amazing four and a half year old daughter. My family are my world and with the girls, Mama B and Papa B, along with my sister I have an incredible network around me. I live in a small town in Scotland near Stirling which lies in between Glasgow and Edinburgh. I work as the Operations Manager in a large whisky factory. I have undergraduate and postgraduate degrees but my gambling started a long time before I got those.
I’m sure this short “story” resonates with a lot of people – I’m sure we’ve all got a similar one to tell. The difference in this story and in the stories of Del, Duncan, Scambling, Mike, me and many others I’m sure in this challenge is that a significant chapter has closed. Previous chapters are about losses – in all my time gambling I’ve lost so much……….marriages, a brother, tens of thousands of pounds, respect, self esteem….my mind. Future chapters are filled with hope, optimism, happiness, rebuilding of relationships, financial security (I am a matter of days away from being gambling debt free!), but with every page that turns the risk of gambling exists. Like with Scambling, Christmas is bought and paid for, I’ve got a holiday of a lifetime booked to DisneyWorld next May (and the money is in the bank to pay for it!), my budget account means that I can’t be bitten by surprises, I’ve had the best year of performance at work and my relationship with the girls, my family and my friends has never been better! The guard will always need to be up and complacency is an enemy that cannot be allowed across the moat.
Onto the update proper for this week then……….and after the headlines of the week I’ll welcome back a couple of very important soldiers to me and then cover off the milestones which I’m really looking forward to! The roll of honour will follow and finally the monies saved so far this year on the challenge. Here goes………….
We’ve closed out the last week with 30 soldiers in the ranks. The 30 is made up of 28 of the soldiers who set out to battle in the week less the 3 who have not made it back to base camp, plus the 2 returning soldiers we’ve had this week – big shout outs to come! Our retention rate for the last 7 days is still an impressive 90%. There’s 19 checked in members of the Century Club and I’m very confident that 2 of the 3 who never made it back to base this week will still be going strong – that would have given us 21 CC members……our biggest figure yet. Hopefully they’ll make their way back this week and we’ll get over the 20 next Sunday. The 30 checked in soldiers have an average of 175 days going into the next week……and collectively we have stopped for exactly 14.5 years! The challenge has now delivered over two thirds of a million pounds saving for it’s members!
Returning Soldiers
It’s always great to see soldiers who’ve been missing for a while return to base camp, but it’s even better to see them returning still clean and full of positivity. For me, the 2 who have returned this week hold very special meaning – Scambling has always been a day ahead of me in terms of recovery days……it’s been a comfort watching him walking that one pace ahead and guiding the way. I’ll come onto the post that you put on in the next section Scambs. Stephen2105 returning is a huge thing for me and for the challenge. Stephen’s story over the last few months is a hugely inspiring one and those of you in early recovery can take confidence in his learnings – solid foundations and blooming hard work can take you to a new place…….from being in a pretty bad place. Welcome back guys and I’m personally delighted to be once again walking shoulder to shoulder with you both.
Milestones Celebrated this Week and to be Celebrated
Boy oh boy have we got some celebrating to do this week as a team……….
The celebrated milestones are as follows:-
Scambling – today, Sunday 7th December 2014 is exactly 365 days since Scambs last gambled – one full year since the last gambling losses were posted. The difference in posts is amazing and the one posted at 20.31 last night magnifies how much life can change when a sustained period of abstinence is achieved. It was singularly the most inspiring post of the week and one that I couldn’t help punching the air when I read. Congratulations Scambling and many thanks for checking in to share your new world with us – amazing!!!
duncanmac broke through 400 days of abstinence (and maintaining!) on Friday this week. I was a bit worried at not seeing any posts Duncs and breathed a big sigh of relief seeing your name popping in last night. I hope you quickly adjust to the medication and get back to the duncs we appreciate so very much on these pages. Congratulations on the quadruple century!
Lady Baggins of Englandshire achieved yet another milestone this week on her amazing journey – 40 weeks of recovery now! I giggled at your craving reference J! In a way it is like a pregnancy – the slog of the first 40 weeks, the ongoing challenges, the adjusting to a new way of living……..but the rewards are absolutely incredible! Congratulations your highness!
Wolf57 – Cliff……..6 months free fella!! One of my favourite milestones and such a significant one mentally to clock up on the calendar. Congratulations on the recovery and keep it going. Thankyou from everyone on your continuing support and great words of wisdom provided to new members – you’re a significant part of this challenge!!
markieb10 has now clocked up 20 weeks of gamble free living! Amazing going markieb and it’s been wonderful watching the change in your posts in that time! Congratulations……….early in the new year we’ll be “virtually” hugging and high 5’ing your 6 month milestone!
Stephen2105………our latest member of the century club! You don’t know how delighted I am to see you getting to this point Stephen – you are one of the reasons that this challenge has been so rewarding for everyone. Congratulations mate and keep going – you are a true inspiration!
What a week just past for victories for our team members!! A pretty big week coming too:-
mrbrightside will be one full year free of gambling as long as Monday is safely negotiated! On Tuesday (Day 366) there will be a celebration in the “B” household!
Happy Days will be one year free of gambling on Friday – Mike……you’ve kept me and many others going strong for a long time – your posts are brilliant and I can’t wait to celebrate your big day with you! Woop woop!
mjc1974 reaches the double century on Saturday – 200 days free mjc!! It’s amazing to think of the girl who joined us worried about lapsing and letting down the family……….you’re getting there now and I’m so proud to be able to say that we walked this road together! Looking forward to your big day!
SuzyLemon hits a massive milestone this week on Thursday – 6 months free Suzy!! Yet another huge step to freedom girl – congratulations. Major woop woops on Thursday! Please make sure you check in that day so we can celebrate with you!
Rst.Ex-CG – what a journey Rst! Next Sunday will see you hit the quarter of a year milestone! That’s what I call progress! You are an amazing example of how the struggles of gambling can be overcome with sheer determination – well done mate! Hopefully the removal of the gambling stress will allow you to concentrate on the exams!
mrt1969 – Thursday is also a big day for you as the 10 week milestone ticks around! Double figures of weeks is no mean feat mrt and it signals the start of a couple of really big milestones………the first of which will be celebrated on the first day of the new year as you hit exactly 3 months of being gamble free! What a way to start 2015 if you maintain your great run!
mba – half century tomorrow mba!! It’s amazing how quickly these first big milestones start to come round! Congratulations soldier……..and I’m very much looking forward to seeing the 10 weeks, 3 months and Century Club added to the milestone list in the coming weeks!
The Roll of Honour
Name Clean Days
Drum roll………total days free of gambling since the Challenge began……….
13576 Days = £678,800 in our pockets………………..£0 in the bookies!!!
So that’s the update for this week everyone – a bit of a marathon and apologies for banging on so much at the start! Congratulations to everyone in this group – you are making a difference for each other and for others who will be reading these pages – you give them hope as well as carrying the hopes of this group towards a New Year.
There’s lots to celebrate this coming week – lots of early check ins and activity please soldiers!!
Have an amazing and gamble free week,
Mr B/Tony - What an amazing post. It was so interesting reading your story and my already high esteem of you has increased tenfold. Many congratulations on your one-year milestone on Tuesday - what a great reason for a family celebration!
You know I had a feeling that this would be the time for your bowing out - what a marvellous achievement of running the 2014 Challenge and being such an inspiration to so many. I hope the demob suit fits! When my one-year anniversary comes up in March I shall be doing the same - sometimes you just know when the time is right to say goodbye; my life has changed so much since joining the Challenge and after all, that is what this site should be about - giving strength to people so that they can continue with their lives with renewed self-esteem and confidence and above all, gamble-free.
So congratulations to you Tony, to Scambling, Duncs and everyone else with milestones, whether at the start of your journey or the end. And heartfelt thanks to you particularly for your amazing leadership.
Joanna
Checking in on day 262 with a big fat hangover.
Hi guys sorry I missed check in, I'm still gamble free though. I made the mistake of leaving Christmas shopping till now so been hectic all week
december is a happy month for a lot of people with Christmas etc happening but it's going to be a hard month for me as be a year on from when my gran died 2 days before Christmas. I've made sure I've my guard up as it's times like these I could easily slip back into my old ways
H Mr B what a lovely honest update, and I look forward to congratulating you on your year milestone.
Your commitment to this challenge has been nothing but outstanding, I have followed your thread since April.
You have indeed helped a lot of folks on here me definitely included and I want to thank you.
Checking in on 223 days of abstaining and maintaining and therefore winning, it's been a tough week for me but I am still here and still counting.
We must keep our guards tightly up,as we get nearer to Xmas because we can never underestimate the power of this addiction.
I wish everyone has a safe calm and strong gamb,ing free week.
Suzanne xx
Brilliant updste MR B. I've loved reading through and being part of this challenge throughout the year and big congrats for what you have achieved almost a year gamble free!! and also in the way you update and have challenged everyone each week to keep going.
You have helped me through the times i have relapsed and helped me realise I can beat this.
Checking in day 25. Non gambler. barriers in place. the best i've ever felt about recovery. Looking forward to continuing to beat this!
Mr B
What an absolutely fantastic post, an enthralling read from start to finish. I will absorb every word again later for the third or fourth time!
I hadn't made the connection of 3 months for me on New Years day and I thank you most sincerely for mentioning it. What a great way to start 2015.
A big thank you for what you have done, for me for the last 2 months and for all the other soldiers for the last year.
I have a cupboard of various malts, I look forward to raising one to you on Tuesday in celebration. I only hope I choose one from the right distillery!
Have a great week all
M
Great update Tony, and thankyou for all your work you've put in this year, I don't blame you having to pass the baton over. Enjoy 2015 and the rest of your life knowing the impact you have had on this group.
Thanks also for constant reminders of these milestones we are all hitting. Quarter of a year didn't even pop into my head but now I can't wait for next weekend. You manage to give us the boost and encouragement just when we need it and I applaud you on that.
Rst.Ex-CG - 84 days free and loving life.
Checking In Day 178.
Great post Mr Brightside!!
Congratulations for the last year.
2015 will be a great year for you and your family.
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
