1st steps

psowm. . Your positive attitudes in your diaries is an inspiration for me to look up to and yet your only in your 20s.if only i could turn back the clock. . All them debts looking clearer as well.great stuff. . Even avoiding york races. . Why not meet them up after racing. Just a thought. Keep up the superb work. .

Hello wee smiler

That was thoughful of your friends not to mention York to you. Its good to have that level of support.

Well life keeps moving on and you keep moving up and I love to read that. I feel really excited about April and that being a year since we started out on this road. (even if I took a couple of detours and you stayed on the straight and narrow!).

We have a lot to be proud of.

Eyes X

Well Business as usual hard working week but nearly payday again whoop whoop. In 10 months my payday's are no longer there to fund the next bet but are something to look forward to and enjoy. I work hard all month and it is my reward. Gone are the days of wondering how much I needed to win on payday to make ends meet. All that ever happened in reality was I lost even more and had to find an alternative way of getting money to pay off my original debt and more. Anyways 10 months down things are massively looking up my life is very good and has some good direction. I feel focussed and am proud of what I have achieved and will continue to do so one day at a time. With a smile on my face of course. 🙂

Well, a big thank youto all those who have supported my son through this triumphant year. In April, it is a year since he sat in my office and cried like a baby, spilling out all the anguish that this terrible habit had brought him. At that time I felt ill and so, so worried about the future. I helped him put barriers in place, took over his finances and monitored every penny that he had. As the year has gone on, the monitoring has remained but more at a distance than before. He still does not have a debit card and I log into his on line banking every week, just to reassure myself. I am also a lot tougher with him and less eager to swallow everything he tells me. I feel that I should have been firmer a lot sooner - I always felt things were not right but wanted to believe his lies .... so I said nothing. We have both learned a lot this year. Things are not perfect, he still has a lot to pay out each month to try to reduce his debts. But slowly, they are reducing and he is so much better at managing his money and understanding the vaolue of it. His personality has transformed, he is now reliving the 10 teenage years that he lost and it great to share that with him. I know he sleeps better and is happier within himself, which makes me happier too. THANK YOU to all those who have helped us, especially at the beginning when I felt as though I was spinning out of control. This forum has been brilliant. And for you son, KEEP SMILING! xx

VWM,

As I said at the start of your son's efforts to beat his addiction, you must not (never) blame yourself. Your emotions and despair at 'letting' your son get into this position is an exact mirror of how my wife felt when I plundered our future into serious danger. As time passes and gambling gets further away in my life , I now realise that no of the problems were her fault. Likewise none of your son's gambling addictions were your fault. Neither was the time it will take to recover financially. He sounds as if he is doing much better now and enjoying his life as it should be. April is not far away , but that is only one day. Each day needs to be treated the same by him. Today he says' he will not gamble'. Strange first thought of the day but for people like him and all cg's it's the only way to build a future without the destruction of gambling returning. Take Care.

Mum Man City and Eyes you have all been here for me since the starts. Many more too may I add. ODAAT never seemed logical. It was first posted on my diary and I did not have a clue as to what it meant. 10 mnths into my gamble free life and I live by it. If I dnt gamble for one day I dnt have to gamble for the rest of my life. If anybody reading this has given up even just for a day then have the belief and courage that you can do it for the rest of your life. Not easily and there will be obstacles along the way for good measure but it is achievable. For today I won't gamble and as I move on in my journey I wish well to all that are recovering or thinking of recovering and my heart goes out to those that have not yet seen the light. Keep smiling 🙂

a totally inspiring story psowm..very worried mum should be very proud of you and maybe think about changing her name..congratulations and keep it going my friend..

Hello old boy!

You continue to make me smile ( not always easy as I have been known to be a grumpy c*w from time to time!)

Joking aside who'd have thought it eh? Almost a year on from where we began and now people look to us for inspiration - I can barely comprehend that and I never take it for granted - its so humbling to hear.

I love that you are only on here now and then for an update because I know when I dont see your posts that you are out there living life and that makes me so happy. When I do read a wee msg from you its like a little nugget of gold that reminds me where we started and how far we have come. I am glad for you, glad for your mum and glad for all the lives entwined in yours because I know these days you will make them better lives because you are in it.

Your friend always

Eyes X

Hi ya.. and a big well done on your gambling free time. When i drop into your diary I remind myself to smile and it don't cost a penny.. yee haa! .. cheers for now.. a smiling S.A 🙂

Well what a busy hectic few weeks. Where is this year going already. Where has the last 11 months of gamble free time gone. I know they have gone on more productive and enjoyable times. I have so many memories all ready. I had a ten your void in my life and the torture I put myself through. Going to bed the night before payday knowing I needed to win x amount to see myself through the month. Now my only thought are what to buy with my x amount I have spare every payday. The mental and physical torture suffered whilst gambling was crazy. Sleepless nights diet up the wall a completely crazy way of living. From being able to live to then not knowing if I could even get to work. Some days phoning in sick because my bus fair etc had been gambled away. Closing in on my year feeling such a better person with a brighter future and stronger willed and armed with more knowledge to ensure I don't gamble. Staying strong and living life instead of living a lie. If your reading this at the start of you r recovery or you are part way through. Remember to take one day at a time, put the relevant barriers in place, stay strong and most importantly keep smiling 🙂

Hi PSOWM

Well done on 11 month soon to be 1 year.You give me hope for my future.You seem so happy and i have that to come.I like your last bit about the start of peoples recovery (you are part way through).That will help so many people. Once again well done Jeff.

Well I'm still here and my thoughts are never far away from this site. Unfortunately I don't find enuff time to post. I do however know that I can never be too carefull so always try and have a read of what I have out and where every1 else is at. If it be their own journey following mine or other. Anyway congratulations to Eye's for going through the festival without a bet. I new you could do it. Man City Thanks for the continued support from start to present. Thanks to all other posters too Ex gambler Jeff and so many more. I'm staying strong and feel I need a catch up on everyones diary n post a little note to say well done stay strong and most importantly keep smiling. My first milestone beckons but I am never complacent. Close to the best year of my life and many more to continue. Good luck to everybody from recoverer to supporter from poster to browser. Keep smiling 😉

Day's away from a long year but a quick one at the same time. Up's and downs along the way. Want to thanks every1 for their support on here and wish every1 well if it's day 1 or 100. Stay strong keep the relevant barriers in place and most of all keep smiling... 🙂

One Year. I'm proud of you my friend. You done good sir!

🙂

Eyes X

Hey There

Happy First Birthday!!! Hip Hip Hooray!!!

Well Done You!!! I'm so very happy for you and very proud of you. Proud of having been part of your journey thus far.

Give your Mom a big hug and ask her to give you a big hug from me.

Wow! 1 year. How time flies when you're having fun.

God Bless

Charly/Sabine