2 weeks clean, time to start a diary...

Nice post. You're doing great at nearly two weeks. I'm going to be there soon. I really mean it.

Thanks for posts both. I have to say it's getting easier by the day but still difficult. And I'm being careful not to be complacent.

I actually went into the bookies on Wednesday. I'm a huge golf fan and usually put some money on so popped in. Once there the flashing lights of the FOBT tried to entice me in. I stood for a couple of minutes, took some deep breaths and tried to clear my mind. I then did something I've never done - walked out of the shop and onto a train to see my girlfriend. It was at a bookies miles from me hence why it's one I'm not self excluded from but felt like a big step forward.

Payday Friday which will be another big test but looking forward to proving to everyone how far I've come. Also that little number counter when you log in telling you how many days clean is a surprisingly big motivator! Would be devastated to go back to 0.

Have a good weekend all. Stay strong

Only a brief one today as long day at work and very tired. Another day clean. Wish I'd self excluded from the bookies a long time ago. Still managing to spend all my money but at least on buying my mrs some boots she's wanted for years (who knew horse boots could cost £300!!) and buying a load of rounds for the boys at the weekend. Reckless, sure, but kinda feels good spending money on what it should be spent on. Had over £300 in my bank for over 2 weeks now. Can't remember the last time that ever happened.

More determined than ever. 20 down and forever to go. Best of luck to anyone struggling. There's always hope.

And yes GT - walking out of the shop gives a much better feeling than even a winning bet. Thanks for your kind words and wishing you all the very best on whatever path it is that you're on.

I love that number down & forever to go 🙂

Welcome to recovery mate 🙂 I'm not going to welcome you by name as you are proving that there's no such thing 🙂

I'm another mug who wishes I'd found recovery sooner & want to congratulate you on having the sense to realise this now!

Onwards & upwards young man - ODAAT

So payday has been, and a weekend, and I've not gambled once. Would be lying if I said I hadn't been tempted but only very occasionally when bored. I find something to distract myself quickly and it passes. What helps is not completely pushing the thought away or feeling guilty. Now I accept it come into my head, but make a conscious decision to stick to the right path. I've a long way to go I know that but I'm nearly a month gamble free and I'm not going to lie I'm quite proud of myself.

One day at a time. Little by little.

Hope you're all finding your own little ways of coping. The best feeling isn't a big win, it's walking past the bookies and not wanting to go in.

4 weeks today. A month in a few days then will work on 2 months.

Reached 35 days today. It's been difficult and had a lot of urges at the beginning but feeling so much better about everything. Never knew the value of money as I've always just earnt it then gambled it but now I'm starting to really appreciate what I can do with a£20 that before would have only gone to one place. Regrets at how I've acted previously but excited to draw a line under my past and move on to the rest of my life gamble free.

Hope everyone is finding their own little way of getting by.

Another day down. Urges getting less and less each day. Trying to keep on going one day at a time

good work fella, how longs it been?

At 38 days now so nothing spectacular but having gambled 5 or 6 days a week for 5 years it's been a massive lifestyle change but honestly feeling so much better. Still got a long way to go to be debt free but just having a few quid in the bank makes things so much less stressful.

How you getting on?

Hey you, thanks for your support of my post yesterday 🙂 You are doing great & I really get that feeling of walking on by 🙂 The urge to do a little dance & chuck them the bird or take out loadsa cash & just wave it dementedly @ the windows has subsided a little now & thankfully I'm no longer drawn to them like a moth to a flame!

You will sort that debt eventually, keep working on your new life - ODAAT

Hey ODAAT,

No worries! I really get a lot from reading your posts and they've helped me more than you could realise. Almost like you (and some other posters on here) have switched a light inside my head and now I can stand back from the gambling industry and see what a destructive waste of time and money it is.

Reached 40 days today which feels like a nice milestone. My missus was away yesterday and all my housemates out so I was pretty bored. The thought of going to the casino popped in my head but I laughed it off, got on my bike and cycled 25 miles! Bit sore this morning.

You're right about the debt and as annoying as it is, I'm fortunate enough to work in an industry where my January bonus should clear it all off.

Thanks to everyone for the support and posts. I'm careful not to get complacent as I've read posts on here of relapses 2/3/4 months down the road but I'm feeling so much better about life in general now.

Hope everyone is doing well.

43 days today, so just over 6 weeks. Urges have pretty much disappeared now. It's the Open Championship this week but I feel like I've come so far and am enjoying life much more that I feel I can make a much more objective and sensible opinion. Guarding against complacency but feeling great.