My last gambling day was 29th October 2016. I lost 4K in 2 hours.
I felt absolutely fantastic on Saturday. Mr gamble said 'go on have a flutter, it won't hurt, plus, you'll likely win some extra cash to make your weekend just perfect!'.
So what did I do, after the many times I've been in despair before? I pushed all that to one side and had a bet. I lost. I'd gone from feeling great to rock bottom in the time it took the football match to finish 0-0 (so about 20 minutes). What did I do next? I chased and I chased and I chased. Not really sure how I stopped myself but I did. Amidst the carnage I managed to self exclude from the final entrance into the type of gambling that's cost me dearly.
So now, Wednesday, as the dust begins to settle, the positivity is slowly starting to trickle once more through my veins. I'm beggining to see that glimmer of hope that comes back to us over time.
I can beat this. I will beat this.
But why should anyone believe me? I've said it before and still come back to Mr gamble.
Well this time I've educated myself about addiction. So I'm going to use that knowledge to my advantage and say, no Mr gamble not today.
I've changed my diet, started running again and vowed that this Christmas will be a good one.
Time to concentrate on being the best I can be, at home, at work and amongst friends. I've lost a s**t load of money but I can fix that over time.
Good day to you all.
Hi Tom
Good on you mate , i so been where you are maybe not with the sums you are talking about but when you do £700 in less than a hour and you can,t pay your rent its just as bad , the chase , the fog , the dis regard for your hard earned money makes gambling a bloody nightmare and you done so well to go into rehab , i not had a bet for a while but im clucking away and thinking i can moderate myself , i cant but i draw inspiration from you and everyone and will one of these days do 7 days gf then 14 then 28 and slowly stop thinking bout 8/11 on 21/10 bull sh** and just be happy , live within my menas , think gambling makes us greedy and greed is a sin so we deserve to lose
hope you stay gf all week , keep posting my friend , i need help too
Hey Spraggy
Whether I lose 1k or 5, the feeling is always the same. I'm not rich by any means. Got debt and lost a boat load of savings. I remember when I had 30k in the bank, I was still chasing 2k here 3k there. Crazy sums but just couldn't leave it alone. I'd go for a few months, get used to the fact I was in debt and had lost saving only to go it again! As I'm writing this I'm thinking, how on earth did I do that! Addiction is how. That switch that flicks when you're on it.
No more man. It's early days but determined. We stop now, every day gets better.
Hi tom
hopefully you've done more than change your diet and start running. Excellent for your general health but these things don't address your addiction in any meaningful way. As for personal vows........
It's great you're feeling positive now. But positivity ebbs and flows.
If you have educated yourself in addiction then you will know that committed action is needed: GA, counselling, telling your OH/close family and of course barriers.
If what you are doing is not taking you outside of your comfort zone, then it's probably not effective.
Best
Louis
Double post
Hi cardhue
I've given up gambling, and whilst the days rack up no one can tell me any different.
I've excluded from all exchanges, the only form of gambling that gave me the hit.
The running and diet is more about taking control, of which I will continue to do. I've relapsed loads in the past but never did full exclude myself.
I appreciate what you say about positivity, there will be days where I'm not so, but I'm ready for that.
I know as long as I don't gamble, I'll be fine.
Well 7 days free and the mind is doing ok. Saw that programme on ITV called 12 months from now. Quite inspirational. So 12 months from now I will not have gambled and my life will be so much better for it.
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