2015 Challenge

Thanks for the great update Phil.

We are in to the 10 week already, proud to be marching along side all of you, and I know it will be a tough week for some with Cheltenham, and that is how this challenge helps us because we are not alone in fighting the gambling addiction.

Looking forward to congratulating Triangle and Ringerbell who will both be one whole year gamble free this Friday, it is a fantastic achievement to reach, for them.

Checking in on 314 days and still abstaining and maintaining taking one day at a time, and winning.

Stay strong soldiers and stay safe.

Suzanne xx

Well done everyone. Im Back to checking In on day 1 but I'm I'm determined next week to b up there with you guys. Money In my pocket today aNd not even an itch to do it. Bring on next week xx

70 days gamble free - yippee ----cycling sounds good idea to get addicted to too.

jw1976 I have added you to the challenge and checked you in. You sound really positive, I hope you can build on this, just imagine how much better life will be at the end of 2015 if you remain gamble free!

Day 272 gf need to keep it up and stay strong especially when everyone will be talking about it in the next few weeks, take care guys

Thankyou so much born again. And I really do feel positive and determined. Xxxxx

Excellent update as always love the idea of posting people's yearly update very inspiring. Work has been busy, I'm barely sleeping got a cold but just reading that update I now have a smile on my face. Keep up the good work. Insanity checking in and looking forward to the ten week mark which really has come as a surprise that it's ten weeks already. Thanks again everyone on here this challenge is really helping.

Morning troops, the amount of adverts today is sickening and its only going to get worse. The greedy bookies want our money. Stay strong this week, use this forum if you need to let off steam or need some advice. That first bet just isn't worth it!

Hello everyone,

I am on my second day of recocvery and I would like to join the challenge.

I am not much of a writer but after reading the stories, i felt i had to in order to regain control of my life.

I started gambling over 10 years ago (online football bets) and i was betting responsibily for a few years.

I got married 5 years ago, bought a house and was living a very happy life. I suddenly lost my dad 3 years ago and a year later my wife was pregnant while also being made redundant.

The financal pressure grew on me and so did my urge to gamble. I started using larger and larger parts of my salary to fund my habit and things started to get out of hand. I took out numerous payday loans and then started using my wifes money to fund the addiction. I started lying to my wife and family to cover up the losses until eventually a year ago I came clean with my wife. I told her I am done with it and I will make a fresh start for us and the baby. I then started my own renovation's company and things were getting better. Then winter came and my work dried up. I began to panic and back came the addiction with a vengeance.

I started asking friends and famly for money and I lied to them about the purpose of it. I then managed to gain access to my grandads account and I withdrew thousands of pounds from it. I also took out loans in his name while he was away on holiday. I was on the chase to recover the lost money and at the same time support my family. Yesterday i tried to use my wifes card to place another bet but the card declined. This is when everything hit me at once. I drove to my empty grandfathers house and spent the next 7 hours reading stories on the gamcare website. My eyes opened up to the problem I have and the mess I created. I texted my wife and explained what happened because I was too scared to call. She told me to come home immediately and I let it all out. She took it better than I expected but I had to face up to my family who were arriving from holiday the following day. When they arrived, I told my uncle everything which was the hardest thing I have had to do. He spent his day trying to make sense of what happened while also giving me support and encouragement . He has just left my house to break the news to my grandad. I hope he can handle it.

I am ready to start this road to recovery and I never want to experience anything like this again.

No more living like a zombie, hiding in toilets and lying just to place bets.

Thank you to all the people who write these posts to help people like me get my life back together.

Thank you for another great update Phil and many congratulations to you for your upcoming 100 days on Tuesday - a well-deserved milestone. Congrats also to brutus123C for Tuesday and to all milestoners this week. Glads Dad - sorry I missed your 100 days (last week?) - so glad for you. Hope you go from strength to strength.

Checking in on Day 372 and wishing the best to all fellow-soldiers.

Joanna

Thanks for the update Phil fascinating reading as always. Checking in 10 weeks today. Also can proudly say i have not gambled in 2015.

Azsingh, Its good that you have admitted your problem and have support of family. This addiction makes us do things we would never dream of and makes us bad people at times. I have spent money gambling that wasn't mine in the past and its wot kills me more than any of my other mistakes. I hope your grandad can forgive you and that you can get a plan in place to pay him back. I wish u well x.

Sorry couldn't check in last week . I have no internet since Thursday. BT have not done anything as yet (i'm on 3G!!!!) bl****y nuisance!!!

Checking in on day 69! Because I have the sense of humour of a 10 year old.

Simon

azsingh thats a really brave post, you have found the right place to help you. There is no quick fix to the problems gambling addiction has brough us, but day by day recovery will gift you a better life and over time we can repair the damage we caused in the past. Once you have made a check in post you will be added to the front page.

We are on the dawn of Cheltenham, I can safely say I won't be gambling over the next four days. I used to love Cheltenham and spend weeks planning my attack and picking my bankers. If I can survive the next four days then anyone can. Be strong troops, don't slip up, it will only bring pain and damage to your lives!