2014 Challenge

Hi Laura

so sorry you are going through this. I'm at a similar stage and it's horrible. I'm getting help from a debt charity. It does give you a light at the end of the tunnel however it takes a while to set up a DMP because of the paperwork. But personally I really really recommend you talk to someone at a debt charity, the gambling problem wont exclude you from getting help. Take care and good luck. Granite

Thats good to know, i wasnt really sure.

Will try and get in touch tomorrow, and see where i go from there.

hi day 4 for me just checking in for the 2nd time as requested. looking forward to the future 🙂 stay strong

Checking in on day 4....Feeling ok.

Hi checking in day 25 feeling ok too

It's gone really quick - I would not be at this stage if it wasn't for the encouragement, support and help from everyone on this site

Big thanx

Glads Dad

Hi there gang,

Checking in on day 31.

More determined than ever to beat this horrible addiction. I can't believe how easily and intense I let gambling get to me. Sitting throwing money away, spin after spin. Knowing I wouldn't win, but that wouldn't stop me. Just such a waste.

Will take a while to get my finances where I need and want them to be. But another day or week not gambling will give me that slowly but surely.

I can't fall back into the bad old ways as going through all that instant bet regret, sadness, realisation, etc would be devastating for me.

All the best friends,

Head down, focus, guard up and keep going,

Drew

Good evening everyone,

Just checking in on day 98, have mixed feelings at the moment. :I

On one hand im excited that I have nearly hit 100 days without gambling, but I am also aware that this is around the time I had a relapse last time (think it was around 120 days) although I am in a more positive place this time and have put more barriers up so should be fine.

have a great week all and stay strong!

Adam x

Well good evening troops!!

So we're half way rough the week and I have to say what a brilliant energy there is on the thread this week.

I firstly want to thank and congratulate all the new soldiers for this week - all seem to have reported and will be added to the team officially on Sunday. You have already shown the type of commitment that will be brilliant for the team and with the honesty and support you have shown one another I'm really hoping that this thread can help you break out of the addiction.

Mo - I especially want to call you out tonight - huge bravery, honesty and courage to come and share your issues, but to dust yourself down and come and fight with us again. It's brilliant you are here.......really hoping that this is your time now. The only ask is a short post once a week to briefly update us on how you're doing and to check in - anything else on top of that is a bonus, but purely down to what you want to do.

We're looking at the potential to creep closer to that incredible 40 members mark. That depends on everyone checking in who marched into this week and possibly another couple of new soldiers - it's great going.

I'm really excited to get feedback on this coming weeks update. Following the update on Sunday past I've had two brilliant emails from AdamPrice and Delboy79 that answer the questions I posed - they are the perfect way to kick off the "spotlight" feature I suggested. I'm really looking forward to you all being able to read these - they are simply superb. I've got one volunteer lines up for next week and will hopefully get another to share their story once you've read those of the lads this weekend.

Gambling has been heavily covered by the media today as a result of the newly proposed legislation. Not going to offer an opinion just now on the proposed measures but found myself getting really angry listening to the "representatives of the gambling industry" who continue to claim there is not a problem. I ended up texting into 5 live and getting it read out - felt slightly better after that! Let's see what comes of it.

The front page is now update and includes individual message for our new colleagues. Will update in the next couple of days,

Mr Brightside

Hi Mr Brightside and Everyone.

Unfortunately I checked in on Tuesday but have since fallen off the wagon. I have written about In my diary post in "recovery diaries". Plan to dust myself down and come back fighting next week though. Sorry all, keep going. Granite.

Checking in today gamble free day 49 not out

really good to see others doing well on a daily basis but even if you do you back to gambling COME BACK

recovery is about the long haul not the short sprint

well done

triangle

Hi every1, I hope you are all doing ok this week. I am going to break my check in habit this week, I usually always check in on a Friday but I'm going to check in today. Why? I feel even away from gambling we continue to get stuck in a rut something I am guilty of and I'm sure most of you will agree. So my spontaneous action this week is to check in on a Thursday!! I'm so god dam hardcore lol. We are all creatures of habit so let's try not to be.

Del 262 days GF loving life and I have a purpose. Be well, be good and be kind to everyone you meet. 🙂

Just checking in from the Far East. I hope all is well with everyone. Will be 60 days this week without gambling. It hasn't been easy, but it gets easier in my opinion. Have a good week everyone.

Onwards and upwards, kickitnow

Hi all,

For those who have relapsed and came back, just remember that recovery is a journey. If you want to stop, then you wil. l should know, I relapsed many many many times and always had an excuse to why, but really I probably just wanted a bet... Get those barriers in place for the early dark days when the urges come and the rest will fall into place with a little determination.

-Del - Yep, checking in a day early definately means your hardcore! 🙂

-Ringerbell - Great to hear what your doing and the fact it is helping you in your recovery. Good job!

-Joanna - Your still a big inspiration, the amount of time you put into this whole forum is something you should be proud of.

-Mr B - Are you in need of a holiday yet?? Did you ever expect this challenge to become this big!? Lol

Finally, welcome to all new members and I hope this challenge helps you in your recovery, as it has mine.

Scambling

checking in day 50!

50 days

doesn't really feel any different

but its a day i can hopefully try and be better

thanks for the ongoing support

triangle

Have already checked in but here I am on day 50 🙂

Doesn't seem that long ago that I came on here looking after my relapse. It feels good to reach this milestone but I've been here before and went back to old ways so I will be keeping my guard up this time around.

Unlike the last time I've joined this site and I'm actually talking about my problems which had helped a lot and keeping myself preoccupied has also helped. Have went back to playing football after neglecting it the last few years to allow me to gamble more

Thanks for all the support everyone on here has given. It helps a lot when having tough day. And congrats mr B on the success this challenge has had. Did you think it would be this big when you 1st started it