2014 Challenge

Congratulations Bornagain on your approaching century! Amazing stuff - well done and good wishes for the continuing journey.

Joanna

Well done bornagain, massive milestone at the end of today, celebrate and keep going!! x

Checking in Day 106.

You'll be joining the century club tomorrow Bornagain. Well done everybody who has managed to complete milestones this week and welcome to the newcomers.

Fitlike Mr B? hope you are feeling better within yourself, keep those spirits up. Great post once again this week.

Take care everyone and good luck with this coming weekend, hope all of you manage to keep abstaining. It's just not worth it! x

It's great to come on here after a few days and see that everyone are still doing good on this long journey for us

I've had few urges this week since have had money in my bank account but haven't give in to them. Have been keeping myself busy sending emails to people looking for donations etc and anytime I'm getting it tough I think on what I'm raising money for and then any emails I get back with positive responses give me a great lift 🙂

I love reading this thread and feeling the support and positive vibes. Congratulations to all milestone makers.

Tomorrow my withdrawal will come through and I can finally put my relapse behind me. It will be day thirteen but feels more like day one. I have been utterly consumed by the casino situation the last few days despite not gambling. Tomorrow I'm hoping I will start to feel more free. I hate feeling consumed by my addiction.

I have a question for the group. Would it be nuts to restart the count tomorrow? I've always thought of the count as number of days free from my addiction; away from compulsive behaviour. I have been so consumed by it all that I feel like a bit of a fraud. Any thoughts?

I would say that's up to you, NoCrisis, and your choice entirely. For me, I interpret gamble free days as days when no money has been staked, ie. my last stake was on 20 Sept 2013. In my case there weren't any prolonged issues with the casino website, it was a relatively 'clean' break but clearly I still have gambling thoughts which is why I am here, and I am still working to release my old mindset so I cannot say that any days of my 6 month clean period are 'days free from my addiction.' All those days are however, free from the behaviours/actions of placing monetary bets with the purpose to gain something (and although thought does precede action, it's only in the actual action where the financial damage is done and where the painful addictive cycle of ''bet/win/lose/can't stop/lose everything'' is perpetuated.)

So, it's a very philosophical question you have raised regarding what The Count actually counts.

If you feel better starting over at Day One, then do that. But do it for yourself and not because you feel you have compromised your group membership in some way. Freedom from gambling cannot be measured (in group situations like this) by the absence of thoughts, dreams, fantasies, regrets and so on, or by arguments with casinos, otherwise we would all be on Day One permanently. It can however be measured by the monetary activity yardstick and I am under the impression we are stepping up, day by day, to a year's challenge of not placing any money out on bets or stakes. So in my eyes, you haven't failed in the last 13 days, you have succeeded. Sorry to ramble on. Good wishes whatever you decide. R x

Morning everyone!!!

A quick post for me - work mental but fine, still gamble free (I made the commitment!!!), it's been a tough few days but I'm fine - this challenge plus my amazing family keep me going. Will put on a longer post tonight to welcome the new guys on the thread - delighted you've joined us as part of your recovery!!

Thanks so much to everyone for their thoughts and care - it means a heck of a lot and never underestimate the positive impact it's having!

To the other guys who are having tough times with partners, work, recovery, family, finances etc - you will get there - stick with it soldiers and stay with us!!

Finally.......Phil, bornagain.......you've made it to the century mate and I know how much it means to you.......and it means a massive amount to us as well!! You are doing amazingly well and are proof that despite how hard things can be, it is possible to beat this. Many many congratulations soldier......you are a credit to this group, to yourself and to those who you want to make proud......you are succeeding!! 1 day to go then a day off......then a big game for 7 in a row!! 🙂

Speak later and have a great gamble free day,

Mr B

Phew! Glad to see your post Mr B - was getting a bit worried. Glad you are OK. I was beginning to feel like one of those survivors in 'The Poseidon Adventure' wondering where Gene Hackman had got to!

Congrats to all milestoners and looking forward to the update on Sunday.

Joanna x

Well done Phil on 100 days x what a great achievement I hope you are very proud of yourself.

Checking in day 107

Linda

Thanks Mr B and Linda, glad to finally join you on three figures. We are nearly at the end of March and theres so many of us here. Its just brilliant to be part of this.

I hope everyone copes with payday which for many of us is due shortly. I have so many horrific memories of payday which go back 17 years. Tomorrow will be a much better payday, my mum will keep my money safe. And rather than spending the day in a bookies chasing my losses I will be enjoying a day off work and a big rugby match tomorrow night.

100 days of living life rather than simply existing. Thanks to everyone for making this such an inspiring and positive place that I'm lucky to be part of.

Well done Bornagain, and I just wanted to say your contributions have helped everyone else too x

Just thought I would check in to say this is my second day of not gambling. Hopefully it's ok to check in every day to begin with because I know from experience day four and onwards will be very difficult for me and I always give in to the urges. If I can come here I'm hoping that it will be enough to stop me. I've got to try. Very scared of failing again

Week flying by,been extremley busy at work which helps.

Had a difficult week so far,betting on cricket was my choice sport,especially 20/20 games,a world cup was bound to bring temptations,I have resisted thankfully,don't think I've picked a correct result thus far- true to form!

Glad to see this thread going from strength to strength.

Hello sorry I missed last weeks check in been distracted of late.

Not gambling tho ! Frightening how even when serious things happen in your life your mind thinks about gambling even though it is so destructful!

Hi all,

I have been pretty quiet this week and if I have missed any milestones I apologise....

Catching up on some reading and I am fuming with some of the negativity that has been written! Blatant attacks with some very ugly words which tbh I found little or no need for! I have always supported the spirit of this site and opinions of others but I never ever thought I would read a member saying to another I don't think this is the place for you!!!! If you want to stop gambling then THIS IS THE PLACE FOR YOU.

Anyway now that's said til check in Friday have a peaceful night people 🙂 del