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Day 377 gamble free. Happy new year

Well done

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All quiet on here to be honest it’s quiet everywhere on here.. well new year deffo not new me I have gambled everyday this year and I am losing the will... need to just put a lid on it!!

Checking myself in on day 397 gamble free.

Hello everyone. It's been a long time!

It's been a while since I've been around and I'll explain why. I know I don't have to, but we all act in a spirit of honesty here and it's right I do so. I've had some serious health issues, but, for now, they're under control. I've had to make permanent life changes. I would rather not go into details, let's just say it's been a serious wake-up call. And I'm not out of the woods.

I left the forum for two reasons (a) to help me absorb the shock and (b) because I didn't want my thread and journey to start to focus on my health. I didn't want to go down that road.

Have I gambled? I did gamble, yes. I won't make excuses, although it would be easy for me to use my health issues as mitigation. However, I have not gambled, hand on heart, since the start of December and it's because my sole availability of funds is my wife. I have no cards, no other means. Gamstop is working and online gambling was never my thing anyway. Fortunately, over the last year my losses have been low but that's not the point. Once a compulsive gambler, always a compulsive gambler. It never goes away and I maintain, from my personal experiences, that practical measures are the only sure way of stopping, however realise we are all different.

I have followed the forum from time-to-time and have been touched with comments and support I've recieved ... thank you so much. You know who you are.

I relapsed once before and disappeared from the forums and vowed never to do so again, however, I did. What was different this time was my reaction to my health situation. Nothing focusses, and disturbs, the mind more when you find yourself in a very unpleasant situation. *BAM* . It's true what they say - you look at things from that very moment thereafter through a different prism. I swear that everything I look at is with a slightly different colour and contrast. (I won't talk about my health again.)

So, I return, slowly, gingerly, more respectful of life, and everything, but still determined not to gamble and to help and share, empathetically as we all do, with others. This isn't an ego trip, it's the serious business of getting our lives back.

I've been working on a book; there's a gap in the market for a "Stop Gambling" book in the age of the FOBT and online gambling. It will be non-profit. It might come off, we'll see. I'm adding bits to it as I go, maybe if anyone would like to contribute, there's a rich seam of experience and wisdom on here.

I'll only post from time-to-time and visit 'old friends'. I hope you understand.

Meantime, enjoy life, it's the only one we have, when it's gone and gone. We mustn't waste it, and its marvellous potential. We mustn't keep gambling resources (money) away, it just drains the quality of that life away; not just for us, but for others, too.

That's it really. Bye for now.

Mixer

Hey mixer. ..I'm sorry to hear of you're health problems....everything crossed for
A complete and full recovery. .look after yourself. ..
I don't think we've had much direct contact on here really....but I do often read you're posts. ..always direct and honest and full of great advice. ....I still worry about a relapse coming out of nowhere....an urge to hit the slots that possibly overcomes me before I realise what I've done...if that makes sense....
(Triangle still broke...parental blocks on internet)
But as you say....us addicts will find ways around most things..
So.....total respect for you in telling us about recent relapse...
It serves as a warning to us all...
One day at a time really is a favorite saying of mine. ...
Take care mixer....

Hi mixer , firstly I must say it was great to see ur username come up again, its great to see you are alive and well because to bs honest we didn't know what had happened to u and its was to think the worst. Health things aside theres a spot for u I'm sure I heavon should th

should the worst happen, I'm sure it wont happen for a long time but you'd a great man and when ur times up on earth heavon will be there. Not sure of ur religion, I'm not that religous but I'm sure theres life after death. Well done on starting the book I'm sure it'll be a winnrer. We tried to keep ur thread alive , it wasn't the same without u but we have many including myself in on 152 days now who have been succeeding I this battle. Hope to see u in chat room somewhen I'm on most nights. Take care adam​

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Nice to hear from you Mixer I’m glad you are ok I hope things continue to improve for you

Good to hear from you Mixer ... sorry to hear you have had some health problems and really hope things start to improve for you as you seem to have been throught the mill lately.Thank you for starting the Guru challenge as it has played a big part in me remaining gamble free, we have tried to keep it running but it has just not been the same since you left.Wish you well for 2019 and that you continue to see your health improve.

14 days gamble free.

Best thing i've ever done is get the free blocking thing (the one you sign up for and they do a huge self exclude for you). I haven't gambled since.

I'm sitting here watching the footie and all the adverts...knowing i can't log in and place a bet...and my proud feeling overwhelms any desire to do so 🙂

Stephen checking in on day 1.

Best wishes to all the Guru Challengers and welcome back Mixer, I was pleased to read that you are still in the land of the living.

Hopefully this time I will come to my senses and finally put a stop to this crazy gambling..stephen

Welcome back mixer it’s so good to see you on the feed again and glad to hear your well.

I am 3 months 1 day gamble free. I am not sure I'm Guru material. But I'm feeling positive and happy to offer any insight if someone is struggling. Still fighting my own battles but holding on quite good so far.
Bella xx

Checking in on day 404 gamble free.

21 days. 3 whole weeks.

Going to keep checking in regularly to keep the momentum, especially on Saturdays. As a big football fan it's the weekends where i'm most exposed. Early check in makes me feel proud of what i'm doing and will stop any urges.

Keep up the good work all.