@d122010 

Thanks David! I do think my set back will make me stronger to do this, it's been a harsh reality, initially I thought this was going to be easy, i hadn't even thought of gambling, a split second changed that! 

My side challenge was not to include a person but a thing, something I saw or heard but given my set back  I will say my appreciation today has definitely come from the few people I've confided in- they didn't look down on me, the support was amazing - so my today talking to someone and the help received has been my appreciation. 

Today I DID NOT gamble, today I hope I grew stronger ?

@ktl13 

Thanks for your support, I think the set back will make stronger.

really hope you are doing well ?

I failed tonight. It is approx 5 am and it has been a long miserable night. I know this time of night is a danger point and I need to address my difficulties with sleep. All of my judgement goes out of the window.

I can't hide from it and I need to be honest about it. I want to stop.

Just thought I would say hi and ask how everyone is doing, this is day 27 for me, now. 

I have had a few days were theurges were so great but I have managed somehow to resist. 

Though last day or so the fact I have no money am flat broke and relying on my partner to help me out until the end of the month is making me feel like s**t and want to gamble, 

It is only the thought of letting people down right now that is stopping me, that and no money of course.

The fact I have no money because of the lure of slot machines seems to slip my mind when I get his on me,

the thought of a big win that will never come as I know even with a big win i would loose half chasing for more. 

anyway typing this some how makes me feel better, the power of a keyboard warrior hey?

Stay strong everyone and we will get through this month, If you slip well tomorrow is a new day as we start again. 

regards

@kima nothing changes if nothing changes - my favourite gamcare quote. 

From your slip you've learnt that if you didn't have your sleep issues you likely wouldn't have gambled so your in a great position to learn what to do in that situation.

If you gambled on your phone why not install an app to block gambling sites. Or you can get blocking software for your computer, laptop etc.

Also as I said nothing changes if nothing changes now insomnia I'm sure can't be fixed over night but by looking after yourself and hopefully helping your insomnia then that's going to help you in 100s of ways including the gambling.

In the last couple of years I've really gone on a self improvement journey I think self improvement helps in so many ways including addiction, depression, health etc and I take time to do it as it helps me for me but also everyone else around me as I'm a better person for them to. Sometimes its not selfish to be a little selfish and concentrate on you. 

@terrypowell nice one on day 27. Soon be a month gamble free that's a great milestone. 

Urges come and go for everyone. That's a shame but we have to accept that although is there anything that is behind the urges? Is there things you can stop doing or start doing to help stop the urges from coming in the first place.

Everyone I think has to learn the best way to deal with urges but one thing you could do if it gets strong is set a timer for say 30 mins and you could say I'm not going to gamble for the next 30 mins and then go and do something fun or something that needs doing, by getting involved in that, that should distract long enough for the urge to go. (It may work better setting 10 mins and extending or if you start your other task for 10 mins that may be enough to knock the urge away). Urges to gamble will always go given time and enough distraction.

Try to get blocks in place to - self exclusion blocking apps etc. 

But a massive well done on day 27 looking forward to seeing you celebrating a month gamble free! 

Day 7. One week in wow that's gone fast. Its been a mixed week for everyone and whether you come to day 7 with 7 days gamble free or with a slip on the way, we are still all here, still on our own gamble free journey.

There will be ups and downs but the longer the journey the more good times are ahead and the bad can be put behind us. But the good and bad make us who we are and with the right mindset we can all grow and be come better people and that might just be worth the struggles of now. 

Everyone on this challenge is listed below regardless if checked in or not, regardless of how many gamble free days, everyone below has acknowledged that gambling is not good for them and they want out. That's a great and very big decision and I'm proud of myself and proud of everyone making that decision. Congratulations all. 

David

terrypowell

Kima

Bettyfretty

Scar

Ktl13

Kylesmith98

cerrry93

Poblwc

Lakelands 

MikeH79

precinct46

Nyaba

New_Beginnings

Deecs

Thanks David for this challenge i can't believe I've managed 2wks not gambling had the demon ? in my head a couple of times but fought him off take care 

Everyone still in and doing good I hope and pray. Day 221 for me today / it gets much easier 

Hi Everyone,

Just a check in on how everyone is? I know some have had a tough week but main thing is we see what triggered it and put the blockers in place to prevent us.

On myself I’m not 17 days GF and amazed at what I’ve been able to do with access to money instead of wasting my wages away. 

Yesterday I took the family away to the Zoo, took us out for breakfast and lunch not worrying if I’ve enough money to do the things they want to do.

Ive paid a deposit on a holiday to take the wee man to Lapland in November. 

these are the things which is making me want this more than anything, seeing for myself what I’ve denied my family for years. 

So much happier putting my time and money into them rather than throwing it away.

Keep fighting ?

Find something to change if needed and as the saying goes- 

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result. 

Make that change ?

Well done on the 2 weeks @lakelands great stuff. 

@mikeh79 nice one 221 is awesome. It's about not getting complacent now, keep doing what's working, keep your blocks in place. Don't look back the future is yours, well played.

@ktl13 what an awesome message. That's really nice to read, hope you had a great time at the zoo and lapland will be amazing, never been but must really be special taking your kid there. Enjoy. 

Morning everyone, hope you're all doing well! After my recent wobble I've been a bit quiet on here but rest assured I'm doing good since, I've also switched from 20-30 cigarettes at a day (@14.80 per 20!) To Rollie's, €22 for 4-5 days, my goodness the difference in what I'm spending is crazy, I know I should give up but I'll work one problem at a time ? 

I've spoken to a local car dealer who is looking at selling my car and getting a cheaper one, that should knock upto 8-10 grand off the debt I've created- the sooner that happens the better!

The last few days of my side challenge I've appreciated so many different things, re-engaging with friends (I had been so withdrawn the last year or 2), I've appreciated the dry/cracked hands have healed (I presume cigarette related because I've changed nothing else), I've appreciated the kids going back to school ???? and I've very much appreciated the support and advice all you lovely bunch have given ❤️

@kima 

Hi kima, how have you been since? I had a slip up too.   I say skip up because I don't want it to be anything else, I will do this, believe in yourself, you can do this, there is great support here , use it ???

@bettyfretty I am doing much better, thanks! I have tried to take up some hobbies to occupy myself if I can't sleep at night, which helps a lot. I noticed you had a slip up but it is great to see you back on track too. We just have to keep fighting this, there is no other choice. 

❤️

Hello.  My people. Today is 11days since I decided to stop. Its not been easy. Day 7 and 9 I slipped and gambled . I will not dwell on the failed days . I will dwell on the 9 days I didn't gamble and move forward.  I thank you all for the messages  and encouraging words.

I can't access any GA meeting in my area and I can't access free Gamblockers too. I can't pay for one either.  Am broke.  

My Ga meeting is here. And I get alot of encouragement by reading all the comments 

Thank you

Day 226 and still in the challenge. How are we all doing? ?