1 hour in!

Hi Russ,

Sorry to hear your story - we all know how hard that Monkey is to shake - i cant share a success story as i'm day one myself (again) but today I did call gamcare, broke down and spent a long time talking to someone honestly. Their advice was invaluable and has helped me get started on what i know will be a long, hard journey.

Stay with it - recgonise your own triggers and beat them one at a time

Much Love

B

x

Day 2.

Thanks for your replies Dan and B. Rained off from work today and still I am having thoughts about gambling.

I have just put my 2nd £10 note into the savings jar and am trying to think positively.

Well done Mutton on getting to day 2, let's do it together! I hope you made it through the day and did something positive for yourself?

Much love

B

x

Day 3.

Thanks again B for your support, how are you getting on?

Have just looked at my finances and realised that March is going to be a long month! At one stage over Christmas I was £6000 up and thinking that I would have no money worries for the next few months. This is what I need to remind myself the next time I get the urge, I CANNOT WIN IN THE LONG TERM.

Anyway, have just put £20 in the savings jar(I didn't have a £10 note so have put tomorrows in as well).

Will report in again in the morning.

I will beat it this time!

Good work Russ day 3! Seems like such an insignificant time and yet you and i both know its the most substaintial of all - lets not be fooled into thinking we've cracked it! The money worries will remain but lets pay the bills and deal witg the debts as long as they take us to deal with! Well done on day 3! Always behind you and i hope it stays thay way!

how were the cravings today? There?

Much love

B

xx

Hi Russ, I'm going through the same know exactly how you feel, the buzz is unreal, then an hour later you're on your third, fourth, fifth deposit with a casino.
Today is day one for me, hopefully I can stay strong like you will be and all of us together can beat this.

Russ, I'll be logging in everyday, it's on my phone and computer, which I log into everyday as I've always got something happening that I have to boot up for...just read your story, that's sad that you keep going back to the illness, but I've also been gambling for over 35 years, dad was a major league gambler, lost everything and I was almost there, only clean for 7 days at present, but every day is a win! I really hope you have told your wife, I always did, sometimes crying, always guilty, but there's only so many times they'll tolerate the lies & deciept, it wasn't until I heard the ' never lie to those that trust you, and never trust those that lie to you' it really sank in. I'll keep your progress on my radar, I'm reading stories for inspiration at 3.15am because I'm feeling weak and vulnerable, and it really does help! Don't make any more excuses, only you can do this, be strong, we are all here for exactly the same reason as you, DO NOT let yourself or us down!!!!!

Day 4

Just got up and am delighted to see all the replies since yesterday, although it really makes you realise just how many people are blighted by this horrible addiction.

Yesterday wasn't too bad at all, reasonably busy and still strong willed. I am not kidding myself this time though, as have been up to 20 or 30 days previously and felt great and then 1 moment of weakness and it's start all over again.

Have already put my £10 in the jar from yesterday. Running total £40.

To all those that have taken the trouble to reply thanks and keep strong. Keep commenting as it can keep us all going knowing that we are not alone.

Until tomorrow.

Russ

Saturday's are bad for me, not at work, plenty of time and my accounts in credit now I've been paid.....so on day 8, read the inspirational experiences before rising then do as much as possible to keep my mind occupied, might even go and rent a DVD as it's horrible out there! Although the good lady has just informed me we're off to the garden centre!!!! OK, that's me sorted out for the weekend!!!

Well done lads! Get out and away from the risk!!

Saturdays should be our time to enjoy life not wasting it away feeding the monster!

Russ - stay strong we're all on hand to help us all stay out of danger. We are not going back !!

Stay strong all

much love

b

xx

Day 5

No thoughts of gambling yesterday, which is unusual for a Saturday. Feeling different this time somehow(Although I'm sure I've said that before)!

£10 more to the pot, total now £50.

Stay strong, speak tomorrow

Russ

Good lad Russ, proud of you!

Well done russ! What you thinking of treating yourself to with the saving?

Day 6

£10 in the pot, running total £60.

No idea what I'll do with the money when the time comes B, although looking at the size of the pot I might be able to afford a decent sized yacht!

Have got my 1st real dilemma coming up next week. As explained before gambling has been a way of life for me since I was really young. Consequently I have 2 days at the races booked for next week. Whilst racing has never been my weakness and I know that I wouldn't start chasing money, I don't want to retrigger the thoughts of gambling. I think that I'll say that I'm a bit skint and will just come along for the drink but won't be gambling(There are only 2 of us going on 1 of the days, so don't want to ruin the other lads day by cancelling).

Until tomorrow, stay strong

Russ

Russ, i feel the dilemma if youre off to cheltenham?

I cant imagine that you're looking forward to it or that theres an option to cry out? However we have got to have lives and get through these temptations.

I tried to think what i might do and can only suggest if youre going to be brave enough to go...leave the cards at home?

maybe taking cash and limiting the funds you have available could help?

think of that boat!! Stay strong

much love

b

xx