Well Mixer I am a little taken aback by the latest clarification of Guru status. Bit disappointed as I thought we automatically transferred to a cosy little spiritual retreat ! Some idyllic Ashram in the Himalayas to call my very own. Oh well, suppose i'll have to settle for GF in my council flat, but without the misery of gambling addiction it will still be like heaven to me. Abstainer the Elder on a mission to attain Guru status - let's do this.
Hi everyone I would like to join your challenge. I have a severe gambling problem, started off fairly innocently 18 months ago and has quickly spiralled out of control. I have blew enough money to take my family on countless holidays. I self exclude myself from betting sites but after a few days I track down another site and open a new account. I know this challenge will give me something to focus on and a sense of achievement when I complete it. I HAVE placed my last ever bet today. Here's to the future and thank you for your time,
Hi Alan - welcome aboard to the Challenge! I like your opening salvo - "I have placed my last ever bet today". Day by day, let's see you stick to that 🙂
Great you're joining us!
Abstainer - it must have hit you like a bolt out of the blue to discover you wouldn't be a real Guru. Hopefully, you've had time to recover and adjust because I have to tell that you're not really an 'Elder', in the sense of being a leader or senior figure in a tribe or other group...... *** Mixer Ducks and Runs! ***
Hi Mixer. I would like to express my thanks for your dedication and passion, both in your personal mission and with the tireless way you help others.
As Abstainer has said, it's amazing how you can keep track of so many members progress activities. And respond with zeal and connectivity.
I would love to be a part of this if I may. To be part of a positive group with a common goal is a vital addition to our armoury.
Regards, and all the best with your steadfast recovery.
Changemylife, welcome to the Challenge; great to have you on board. I know you mean this ... which makes your joining us even more special.
To anyone who thinks they hear voices in their head tempting them to gamble ... you do. Just ignore them. This video is interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o28A_qTFIo
Hat Tip: I saw this on Smash'es diary. Great spot, Smash.
Big Weekly Rollcall tomorrow !!!
Thanks for posting this video link. The Justyn Rees Larcombe story brought a tear to my eye. Got to have utmost respect for someone who has lost everything and then fought to turn their life around for the better.
Yes, agreed, changemylife. An unforgettable TED's talk.
There are some amazing Youtube videos that really drive the message home to us addicts.
As we know, just going to Youtube and searching for "stop gambling" puts us in the midst. Ignore the sh**ty slot channels obviously (mostly fake, dull and not worth the distraction).
Checking in 58 days gf today.
Hope your all having a good gf weekend xx
Checking in 28 days , have my ups & downs but glad to say still gamble free
*** Don't write a post like this, this month - please !!!!! ***
Morning All! And this is perhaps the most difficult time for us recovering gamblers on a salary - payday is approaching, or already arrived. Please, let's not buckle and have to write posts like this:
*** UPDATE: Just to make clear, the following "post" is completely fictitious, made up by me. Although it is one I could have written many, many times. It is provocative, I agree, but hopefully in a thoughtful, positive way. I apologise if anyone thought I had actually copied it from somewhere. I didn't - it is made up to help illustrate a point. changemylife - I hope this assuages most of your concerns. Mixer. ***
(Scenario: written the day after payday:)
"There was an ad on telly/Facebook/the bookies/Instagram/Google/Youtube and I joined an online casino and gambled all my money yesterday. These gambling operators shouldn't be allowed to get away with it; it's their fault. I'm skint now, but will go gambling-free until I get paid again (but secretly know I can't gamble anyway because I'm skint, so going gambling-free is hardly difficult.) Life's boring without gambling - that's why I do it (but I secretly know a whole month with no money to spend is extremely boring and I'm dreading the next 30 days being skint). But I can borrow a bit more, and pay it all off when I get that 'big win' - it's a matter of time. I'm thinking I might put some block in place this month, but still think I can do this with determination alone. I'm feeling very determined having lost my wages today, I can tell you! (But I secretly know that without blocks or support I'll be writing exactly the same post next month.) But not to worry; at least here on Gamcare I'll get lots of sympathy every month. That makes me feel a bit better and re-affirms to me that it's not my fault. Still, only 31 days to payday; a bit of a long month, October, that's the downside."
Let's remember it's down to us and the actions we take to keep gambling free, day by day. Please, let's not, any of us, have to write a post like the fictitious one above this month. And I'm talking to me here too! Otherwise it will be the same next month. And the next month.
Rollcall later...!
4D checking in 18 days gf!
Thanks for adding me to the rollcall and all your work doing it 🙂
Abstainer the Elder on a mission. 136 days since my last bet and ain't no way i'm going back. No more da fool i'm gonna be cool.
(Young )SARS checking in for 114 days GF !
P.S love your last entry about don't write like This @ mixer ! Once again you've hit the nail on the head 🙂
** GURU CHALLENGE - 6th WEEKLY ROLLCALL! ***
It's Sunday 24th September ... which means - time for a Rollcall!
We welcome this weekend a trio of new members: Next Step To Be Free From This [Next Step], Changemylife and Mark SNB. As I’m fond of saying … “Welcome aboard!”
There’s no hiding place with this Challenge. All of our diaries are linked, we can all see how we’re doing, and if we go “off radar” (like I did early in the year; “guilty as charged”), then we’re “rested” from the Challenge until we return: no hard feelings.
But this is why we’re on the Challenge. Because we want a better life, right? It’s not easy. But it’s down to us to put the foundations of our future success in place, and continue to shore up our defences. We can do it. We’re doing it. Let’s keep doing it. Take a look at my earlier post today, a few up from this one. Let’s not write a "post" (n.b. It's fictitious, but illustrative) like that this month.
RESTED from the Challenge: Kadis1, Mikey Nash, LaurainSky, Loafin, Moorey, Sidney – we wish you well. Get back in touch and I’ll reinstate you to the challenge, if that’s what you’d like to do!
STATS FOR NERDS: We have 2 GURUs, 4 ELDERs, 5 STRIVERs and 7 NEWBIEs on the Challenge – 19 in total. In addition, 6 members have been ‘rested’ from the Challenge.
(P.S. Usual caveat, because I know some readers (not our members!) are still concerned with this point – you won’t be a real GURU or ELDER – it’s a literary device!!!)
ROLLCALL OF HONOUR
Raj and Antics; step forward, and take a bow. You are now STRIVERS. You mean this, and have our fullest respect. You are in growing STRIVER company, good company, and great to have you with us. You’ve shown genuine intent, day be day, let’s build on it. Congratulations!
GURUs
Phil72 – 593 days – Day to day, doing great, Phil. But it must’ve been a bit lonely being the only Guru on the challenge, right? Well, you’re flying solo no longer because…
Changemylife – 331 days - … is joining you! A fellow stalwart on the Gamcare diaries, I’m sure you agree you’re in great company, Phil. Welcome once again Changemylife!
ELDERs
Degenerate – 180 days – A top three-darter from Degen, racking up those days one valuable day at a time J
Abstainer – 136 days – Grinding out those days, one at a time, Abstainer’s dairy is my favourite and well worth a visit.
ItMatters – 114 days – You have it exactly right, we are never “cured” of this. We manage it, keep it in abeyance, forever – one day at a time.
Sars27 – 114 days - Fresh back from your travels, reaping what you’re sowing, which is an infinitely better life for you and your loved ones. Loving life, and that is what it’s all about!
STRIVERs
RubyBaby – 58 days – Cruising in the middle/fast lane in life, that’s the way to be RubyBaby. The signpost shows “Elder – 42 miles” and I know you’ve got it in you, day by day!
Mixer – 44 days - that’s me, chugging away, with solid blocks, utter determination and, like the rest of us, no complacency whatsoever.
Amt722 – 38 – Haven’t heard from you for a week, Amt722, so tiny alarm bells are ringing in my head. I’m sure you’re still laser-focused, do let us know how you’re getting on…
Raj – 36 – In the STRIVER ranks, and settling in nicely. Nice one, Raj. This is the place to be.
Antics – 35 – – And likewise Antics. Having just started your full-time grad course, you are giving yourself every chance, on so many levels, the very best chance of success. We’re all with you.
NEWBIES
Adam808 – 16 days – Last week you were on 22 days, this week 16. Not sure what your total is, but if it’s 16, you’re half-way to striver. So keep going. Remember, there’s no hiding place on this Challenge – I check J
Chartom3 – 28 – Being gambling free isn’t easy. Is there such a thing as ‘gambler’s cold turkey’. I would say so, I don’t find it easy. But strength in numbers – we’re all going through this, on the Challenge, together. Can we do it, day by day? Yes we clucking well can!
4D – 18 – A solid score chalked up, 4D; let’s see you, day by day, get you to Striver in the next couple of weeks. Can you successfully navigate pay day? Silly question. You WILL.
Athena1991 – 17 days – The rewards of not gambling are so plentiful we cannot begin to imagine. Dreams can come too – so long as every morning, you remind yourself not to place a bet, and stick to it. Happiness will follow.
Xenedra – 12 days – This month, Xenedra, your target is to make sure payday comes and goes without a gamble. When gambling-free, payday is just another day. Let’s see you get past this month, and get to STRIVER. You’ve had a couple of false starts, and you’ve been commendable honest about it. But it’s stepping up time. Ready for it? We so want you to succeed.
Next Step – 7 days – A newbie joining the NEWBIES on this Challenge, and an opportunity to show us what you’re made of. You’ve put some blockers in; the question you need to ask is: is it enough? Could you still gamble if you wanted to? Remember, gamblers are cunning, crafty … keep Challenging. Day by day, let’s get you up to STRIVER.
Mark SNB – 3 days – Welcome Mark, and we’re here to help support your journey. Let’s see what you’re made of!
Youtube video of the week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AN3VLLlkdI
Let’s keep strong; keep sharing and keep strong!
Mixer and Athena, your hosts for this challenge
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