Wishing Mixer and all the Guru Challengers a good gamble free Sunday.
Abstainer18 days since my last bet and I have no intention, or desire, to gamble again.
That might sound a bit flippant because I know how difficult it is, but to be honest I'm sick to the teeth of it. I really can't go on in a cycle of relapsing every now and than. This time I will stay focussed on one day at a time. I will not feel sorry for myself and I will behave with courage & self discipline.
Checking in with 37 days gambling free.
I couldn’t wait for Sunday to come and post in here. Watching the count going up gives me some sort of satisfaction and so it should otherwise no effort would matter. Finances are slowly improving and should see real improvement by the beginning of March. As a stark reminder will finish this entry with an actual bank transcript of my last day gambling spree 15 December: £30; £30; £30; £30; £30; £30; £30; £30; £30; £30; £30; £30; £100; £40; £30; £30; £40; £30; £30; £30; £40; £30; £30; £70; £30; £40; £30 plus £100 on one credit card, £100 on another and £60 via paypal.
Take care everyone, stay gambling free and many thanks to Mixer for keeping the motivation alive!
I’m in if that’s ok.
I’m on day 11 and feeling strong
Checking in, not having best of time financially but have resisted to date. This is the time that I’d knew would be the test of my character and ability to refrain from the demons telling me to have a go. ‘Go on you never know might win a few thousand’ it’s needed at the moment.
I just can’t face the sleepless nights, constant juggling of finances to cover the losses and mentally it was’t pleasant for sure.
Anyway another week abstained and that’s something positive at a difficult time.
Hi, I have been reading through all the messages and am given a lot of hope by them. I would like to join up and hit the milestones over the coming months. Today is Day 1 gamble free, time to focus on the future..
I feel right now a massive hate for the gambling industry and the snake b******s they are. I am in general much mor positive about life at min and glad to be another week gamble free. Tomoz I’m at my nans funeral and Tuesday is another day. Take care people
233 days GF ! Thanks for being a legend mixer my man ! Keep up the good work everyone 🙂
** GURU CHALLENGE - Latest WEEKLY ROLLCALL! ***
It's Sunday, 21st January 2018
Good evening fellow Guru Challengers and anyone visiting!
I hope you’re all as well as you can be, and hopefully a bit better than that! It’s that time of the year and time of the month. Christmas has come and gone and the January wages/salary due - bills to pay and all that. I implore you, as always – use that hard-earned for what it was intended which is anything but gambling. Just don’t bother! That's my simple message for this week.
A short intro from me this week because I’ve been so busy but I have been researching some gambling stuff that I think will be really interesting to report next week … so stand by for that!
Back to this week now so let's see how we’re doing. Let’s cut to the chase to answer the key questions.
WE WELCOME
Leeders100 and Clarence123 – a warm welcome to you both. Looking forward to getting to know you; your first target is, day by day, to get one week more GF under your belts. That’s the ‘induction’! I’ve written a post that you might find interesting, by the way – it’s here.
Our GURUs
Phil72 – 712 days – ROCKING! I’ve read that your wife’s away Phil and, understandably, you’re going to miss her terribly. As you say, she’s your mentor, best friend and rock. Not the same, I know, but your buddies here on Gamcare will be here for you!
Changemylife – 450 days – ROCKING! – I’m sorry to read you’re having a tough January; stresses at work are impacting your wellbeing, struggling to sleep and having a glass or two to help you through it. I’m not surprised the gambling demon is trying to tempt you – it homes in when you’re brought low for whatever reason – but you’re batting it off. Things will get better; and kudos to you for not making things worse. Hope your sleeping improves – I’d say that’s your No.1 priority – long-term sleep deprivation really screws us.
Our ELDERs
Degenerate – 299 days – ROCKING! I’m missing our convos on the Chatline immensely and we all know if course it might be down for a while. Thanks for checking in the other day; as you say, the last time as an Elder …!
Sars27 – 233 days – ROCKING! – Hey, great you’re checking in and have lost none of your motivation and momentum whatsoever! It matters a great deal to you, and helps inspire me! Going great guns, Sars!
Rubybaby – 177 days - ROCKING! – Hi Ruby and hope you had a good week. It’s been a horrible month weather-wise but it’s always sunnier when we keep off the gambling!
Mixer – 163 – ROCKING! Keeping it going. Went for a major drink up during the week and had way too many ‘sherbets’ but – very limited cash. Tempation successfully averted!
Amt722 – 157 – ROCKING! – Thank you for checking in and, yes, it’s understandable when we’re a bit skint that we wonder if we can make a few easy quid gambling but – we can’t! Because if we did (and it’s odds-against) we’d lose it, and then more, because that how we are. Keep strong!
4D – 137 – ROCKING! I resonate with you regarding your latest post where you say we may never know the reason precisely why we became compulsive gamblers, it’s a fiendish condition and not an exact science. But learning why is probably helpful because it helps us understand this condition a little bit better, too.
Boxingdayfresh – 112 days – ROCKING! Thank you for the update and glad to see you’re up with the ‘money saving’ vibe. Strange, isn’t it, as recovering gamblers, our money management skills are top-notch. Strange but true!
Mitch91 – 109 days - ROCKING! – By the time you read this, you’ll have (or are just about to) finish(ed) your counselling sessions. Do keep momentum and remember, after 6 months, you can have another 12 sessions if you need them. So aim for that as a mid-term GF objective.
Paulll – 109 days - ROCKING! Thanks for the check in, Paul, keeping the ‘show on the road’ as we know we must!
Our STRIVERS
Marson123 – 84 - ROCKING! – Keeping it going Marson and it’s yielding fruit – 12 weeks today!
Slotfool - 73 – ROCKING! – You’re right, Slotfool – although this is a personal journey we are all in this together. Feels like we’re a ‘team’ when we think of it this way and motivates us even more.
Chartom3 (*ELDER status achieved*) – 43 – ROCKING! You ask an important question and then give the critical answer. Do you want to gamble? Yes. But are you going to? No. And there lies the thin line between success and failure, just by correctly acting on the answer to that simple question every day. Keep it going!
NiceNormalFamily - 37 – ROCKING! – Thank you for your most interesting post where you spell out, in a stark matter-of-fact fashion, the results of your final gambling binge. I have to say, it follows a ‘pattern’ that I’ve similarly had in the past. We start low, then go on tilt, think we can steady the ship, and, before we know it, we’ve done our b******s. Great post, NiceNormalFamily – you’ve GOT it, my friend.
re-RESOLVED MEMBERS
Adam123 - 29 – ROCKING! – I haven’t heard from you since last week Adam but you know I am REALLY rooting for you!
Godoicul – 18 – ROCKING! – I know what you mean about the gambling industry; during my long and damaging addiction I’ve veered between hating them and … hating them. But, I can’t blame them - they do what they do. We have to live with it and deal with it. I still hate ‘em though! May I wish you all the best for tomorrow, by the way.
Abstainer (*ELDER status achieved*) - 18 - ROCKING! – Thank you checking in as always; it is, and remains, a pleasure to have your acquaintance on this Challenge.
Christer1 – 5 – re-RESOLVED – You’ve been honest and that always scores very highly in my book Christer. It’s now about how you react to this that counts; your honest countenance puts you in very, very good stead 🙂
RESTING
If you haven't been in touch for a few weeks, then I rest you from the challenge. I appreciate members of our challenge may decide to 'leave' like this for many different reasons. I always wish you well.
Adamjamal2014-2017 – RESTED – I haven’t heard from you for a few weeks, Adam, so, sadly, have to rest you from the Challenge. You’re welcome back any time!
Velvet7 – RESTED – Sadly, have to rest you Velvet but please get in touch if you can!
Raj – RESTED – Regrettably, resting you Raj but do get back in touch anytime!
STATS FOR NERDS: We’ve welcomed 2 new intrepid souls to our Challenge this week but sadly rested 3. Our totals are (adding our 2 new members): 2 GURUs, 9 ELDERs, 4 STRIVERs and 4 NEW/re-RESOLVEDs; a net total of 21.
Let’s keep 2018 going as we mean to go on!
*** JOKE OF THE WEEK ***
A Man Utd fan was enjoying himself at the game in a packed Old Trafford until he noticed an empty seat down in front of him. He tapped the man sat next to it on the shoulder and asked if he knew why the seat was empty?
The man replied, “Yes, that’s my wife’s seat. We've never missed a game in 40 years, but now my wife has died.”
The fan offered his sympathy and asked why didn't you ask a friend or relative to take the seat so they could enjoy the game with you.
The man replied “Well I did ask some of them but they’re all at the funeral today.”
🙂
Let’s keep strong; keep sharing and keep strong!
Mixer
Thanks for the rollcall Mixer, a great read as usual and always nice to get a mention, our journeys are all different and such threads as this are a great help to me and im sure others on here, also like the adding the odd joke, helps lighten the mood a little ...... wishing fellow guru challengers a good week ahead.
Hello all 6 days gfree. After my blip last week nice to be back on here with some days behind me.im curios and look forward to hearing your research
Stilll going strong and gamble free mixer horray
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Congratulations Guru degenerate. Great progress and an inspiration to all who follow in your footsteps. Keep blazing that trail my friend....stephen
Mixer. Congratulations on your continued recovery which is amazing. We can achieve our goals whilst realising that there's a better life beyond. Also a big token of appreciation for your massive input on this forum, with a special recognition of the 'CAN WE DO IT - YES WE CAN' link with a wealth of valid information.
What did the fish say when it swam into a wall?
Oh Dam.
(dup post)
Thank you all very much for your kind messages. They are very much appreciated (and the joke, changemylife! 🙂 )
I've been v busy today but this caught my eye:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-42783956/joey-barton-speaks-out-about-gambling-addiction
*Update* Hmm... the link doesn't work. But if you Google 'Radio 4 Joey Barton gambling' that should do it 🙂
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