2015 Challenge

Hi guys I been thinking long and hard about wither to join the 2015 challenge or not. Last wee while found myself on the site less and less but always came on to check in (bar few weeks I missed due to other reasons)

Tonight after thinking for a while about what I want achieve in 2015 I realised being gamble free helps me achieve several of my personal goals for the year. Also realised being part of this challenge will help me on my journey of being gamble free. It's because of this that I'd be delighted to continue on this journey with you phil and be part of this challenge

For those of you who don't know me I'm 23 from Ireland. Can trace my gambling problems back till when I was 14/15 and at school. I used to take the €20 I was given for lunch money (to do me the week) and go to the bookies on my lunch break and bet it away on horse racing. If I won I was back in the next day doing same thing if I lost either starved all week or I lied to my parents to get more money that inevitably ended up being spent in the bookies

This continued my 6 years at school but wasn't till I went to college I started betting online. I'd open accounts with any company that offered free bets etc I started spending every spare minute I had online betting on sports. Horses were a big problem of mine but it didn't really matter to me what sport it was as long as I could have a bet on it. I told myself having a bet on sports made them more interesting to watch (know now it's the complete opposite) I was using my student grant to bet meaning it was completely gone inside few days of getting the months allowance.

My life crumpled to the ground Nov 2013 when my gambling issues were 1st spotted. My mother didn't realise how bad it was and I assured her I'd get it under control and I did not betting until March of this year. But then comes my serious relapse during Cheltenham week. I was back to my old self up at crack of dawn betting on everything I could bet on trying to increase my kitty for the days races at Cheltenham. I hit rock bottom when my sister realised money I'd borrowed of her for night out was actually for betting.

It was then that I realised I couldn't beat this on my own. I asked around for different groups that support compulsive gamblers and was pointed in the direction of this site. Joined the 2014 challenge and haven't looked back since but as I know from experience if I let my guard slip a bit at all il be back to square 1

Checking in on day 293 (I think)

I'd like to join the 2015 challenge I was doing the 2014 challenge then got sloppy I didn't think I needed it but then inevitably i started gambling again and then a few weeks ago I lost about £400 in a day and this really frightened me as I'm now debt free and want to stay that way. So 19 days gamble free and here's to the 2015 challenge 🙂 happy new year all 🙂

Hello... I'd like to join the challenge.

Currently on day 5 clean.

Slot machines have been my downfall for many years

here's to a positive gamble free year... S.A

Hi Phil and soldiers, checking in for 2015 and 248 days gamble free,.

AVERY HAPPY NEW YEAR to all

Suzanne xx

Hi everyone,

Thought I'd use today for my first check in using the new iPad that will not be tainted with gambling.

A new day, a new year, a new start.

Wishing everyone health, wealth (through non-gambling means) and happiness for 2015

Jess (day 5) x

Loved reading the stats and post by MrBrightside for the 2014 challenge, thanks for the inspiration. Checking in for my first gamble free week in years.

Clare (day 7) happy new year x

Happy new year soldiers! All the best for a happy, prosperous gamble free 2015!

Checking in on the 1st January 2015 with 3 days gamble free on the clock, but taking each day as it comes 🙂

Mel x

Happy New Year Phil & All. Thanks to Mr B for final update to 2014 challenge.

It's a New Year, new beginning, new challenges for the year ahead so I therefore have a request for you Phil.....even though I'm 104 days GF I would like this to be a new quest therefore can you start me at Day 1 - I want to do this year what I didn't manage last - a full year with no online slots gambling. I can't wait til this time next year when I can proudly say 1 year GF.

Thanks

Mo

Happy New Year soldiers!!

Checking in - Day 203

Wishing you all great health and happiness in 2015.

Suzy

Hi everyone - Happy New Year!

A great summary from Mr Brightside - thank you Tony.

Just checking in - day 8 today for me.

Mark

Happy new year all. Day 109 gamble free, ready to hit the ground running this year. Want to start 2016 with over 450 days under my belt and a lot closer to being debt free.

Hi my name is Phil, enough is enough I need to do this. I'm 29 and have been gambling since I was 14 on slots and horses but nothing major, getting my older brother to place bets, only a few quid. Then when I was 18 I did them myself in the bookies. About 4 years ago things have got a lot worse, online blackjack, horses football and slots to the point I have no money and feel terrible about myself, I owe 5k and just want to pay it back and enjoy my own money and spend more on my girlfriend who hasn't got a clue. I'm day 4 of no gambling and I want to try and stop forever. Good luck everyone, we can do it!

checking in today 294 days today? what matters more is i'm gamble free now and today

celebrating start of 2015 without a bang and a kick

the online meeting in gamcare is 8pm - 9pm every day in the chatrooms

Just a quick update to say thanks for all the check ins! I'm delighted to see so many members signed up and so much activity. I have already made a start on Sundays update and I'm looking forward to learning more about our group of soldiers as the weeks and months go by. I'm sorry theres not been any personal welcomes, I would like to welcome new soldiers individually as they join the group, but theres been so many in a short amount of time and I've been in work throughout the Christmas period. But be assured you are all welcome and as you join you will see I add you to the members list on my opening post.

Mo thats not a problem, your count will be reset so now you are in the early hours of day 2, I know you can do it this time round. Jess that sounds like a great idea, keep that iPad free of anything to do with gambling! Gambling chatrooms sound good triangle, might be especially helpful for any new soliders in their early stages of recovery.

Count me in. I have been struggling with gambling for years and made it to over a hundred days gambling free in the past. My gambling life story is all in my recovery diary so I don't want to bore you with it now but with my wife and brother on side and my financial freedom severely restricted (by myself) I believe I have got everything in place to give it a really good go this year.

Good luck all, stay strong and keep positive. We can all make 2015 the year we finally kicked the habit for good.

Simon (2 days gambling free)