2014 Challenge

GA meeting went ok tonight I did feel slightly uncomfortable at it but that to be expected. Being 23 I was the youngest at the meeting and that in itself helped me as I realised that I don't want to be sitting here in 10 years time in the same position but with maybe a mortgage, kids and wife to support.

I do think I'm the type of person who does better in a 1 on 1 environment so will see what opportunities are available to me via mums work.

Joking this challenge has helped me focus myself on the job at hand similarly to the amount of support I have been given on my other sports forum. The number of people offering support is overwhelming and is helping me beat this. I'm already looking ahead and will start to plan a nice trip away to Germany with my friends on the sports forum for the Ireland match. Also a trip to Glasgow is in the pipeline. I can now look forward to these events as I know I won't have to worry about my funds while being away unlike previous trips where I would have blown half my budget before I had left dublin airport

Hi everyone, I'd like to join the 2014 challenge if I may, a little late! Last bet Thursday 13th March 2014. I lost my ex-gf & closest friend in February, 10 years I knew her, she was only 42 when she passed away. First couple of weeks afterwards I was upset but didnt gamble then played a freeroll poker tournament won a bit then lost it back then lost control for a few weeks...blew around £2.5k.

Still have about £1500 left no debts, low outgoings, so not too bad. Have previously been bankrupt & also done a debt relief order due to gambling. Still didn't learn!

So on day 6 gamblefree now, have no credit cards due to the above & bank won't give me an overdraft (surprise there!). I only have one direct debit which i pay early take everything else out in cash at cashpoint so no ability to use debit cards to gamble online. Fully intend to stay stopped no poker freerolls or play money poker, no lottery, nothing, zilch. Buying a few little things to reassociate money with nice things, instead of gambling fodder. Also seen the dental hygenist cost £45 for 30 mins lol, more than a lawyer! need at least 2 more sessions, money i would have reserved for gambling otherwise. Buying new flooring for my bathroom soon. So using money as a tool - wisely - to improve things.

So at midnight tomorrow will be 7 days gamble free.

Day 4 for me,tho ive only gambled 14 out of the last 159 days,enough to do financial damage tho!

Im not keen on counting this time around but i will for this challenge.

I suppose im a bit of a veteran at trying to quit gambling,-dunno if thats a good thing?

Been gambling and trying to abstain for the past 14 years since losing my house.

Got my life together the past few years,i have an understanding wonderful partner.two gorgeous girls and our own home.

Never quite been able to stop gambling,it has caused me problems.and I can for see what could possibly happen to me.

Got a completely new approach this time,just read allen carrs `easy way to give up gambling`- taken a lot from it,well worth a read.

Have a good week everyone,a great challenge Mr.B,well done.

Just want to say I hope this diary will help me. I am determined to stay gamble free, Mr brightside ok'd me to join, so day 2, still very low, but here goes, maybe continually reading here and posting here will save me.

Welcome Davey, good to hear you taking such a positive attitude, this is the right place to be, there's loads of us who can help you at the dark times. Make sure you stay strong and hit the 7 day mark. It only seems like yesterday that I was struggling to reach day 7 and now I'm on 92. So stay positive and get as many barriers in place to prevent you from gambling and this can be done!

Hi guys...I would be delighted if I could join your 2014 challenge. I've been a member of this site for almost 3 years...have managed over 100 days clean before. Since joining this site I have moved from being a constant, daily addict to a binge addict which although still means I'm an addict and I still continue to lose money I don't spend every waking minute thinking about my next go on the roulette wheel. I now want to quit this 2 or 3 monthly cycle...I am bored of myself! And it is mainly boredom that causes me to gamble!! I have self excluded from tens if not 100 online gambling sites only to be able to easily find a new one to join after a couple of months...when will they stop opening new ones!!! I am female, I have 2 children and I have about 40k of debt to clear. Luckily my credit rating is pretty poor so I can't get anymore credit as this would be a green light to me to gamble again! Anyway...my last gamble was Saturday so I am on day 4....I know my head is in the right place to quit this for good now. I'm optimistic my life is fabulous on every other level and I am determined to beat this for my family, myself and our future xxxx

Hi all

I'm a 26 year old bloke with serious gambling problems I have a lovely girlfriend and wonderful 2 year old son. Been gambling 8 years and have already been bankrupt through it but still can't seem to stop. I'm very scared about loosing everybody who cares for me!

Welcome to all new members!

Checking in day 99- I hope to be able to post tomorrow but it all depends if I can get access to internet x well done Mr b and I hope your week gets easier x thinking of you.

Linda

Huge day today for Linda and baby blue sky. 100 days for both of you, absolutely brilliant work girls, keep it up 🙂

Nice to see so many new people coming along. I believe this is the place to be and if you embrace the positive energy you can beat your problems.

Hope Mr B is doing well and you made progress with your son. My thoughts are with you guys for the rest of what will be a difficult week.

Day 93 for me today, only a week to go till I can celebrate two zeros!

Hi everyone, some great posts here, for me its very tough at mo, my girlfriend is down tomorrow, will she notice my unhappy mood swing? i hope not. I cant face losing her if i confess again. Anyway checking in as the rules require (I will not gamble again) I need to fight this fight this time. Stay strong for yourselves and if you can have a liitle thought if only one milli-second of your day for me. Here's in hope - Spaingone

New to this thread but i`d like to offer my congrats to hard times and babyblue sky for hitting treble figures! Excellent achievement,well done!

Lifes just began again.

Checking in,gamble free and never been so confident of abstaining.

Just checking in - Day 15 - I'm getting less and less urges...I never use to gamble continually, but more of a binge gambler that would lose a huge amount in one go and then would calm down a bit until money was available, but on certain binges would hit my credit cards in a big way. I needed to cut it out completely, because I would always gamble on the football. I would actually be more controlled with the football, my let down would be the online casinos. The time before last when I lost loads of money I told myself that I would stop the online casinos and just concentrate on football/sport, but eventually got myself on them again and lost a lot again. Since then and 15 days ago I decided that everything would have to go and now I'm determine more than every to kick this habit for good!!!

Onwards and upwards!

Jonathan

well done jonathan, 15 days is a great start, i personaly found the 1st few days the hardest, and after i had gone two weeks the constant thoughts and cravings had reduced. It gets better i promise, but doesnt go away straight away, you have to work and work hard.

Good luck pal.

well done everyone

gamble free today its not easy but its easy to be complacent

keep battling

Checking in Day 100, congratulation's to both of you Linda and Mr B.

Stay gambling free and take care all x