Hi
I am Shaun, YES I have had diaries before and YES I have failed before.
2011 was gamble free for me.
2012 was gambling, losing, stopping gambling, gambling - YOU KNOW HOW THE REST OF THE SONG GOES!
I have a group of friends and we have a night out 3 to 4 times a year. These nights always end up in the Casino. It is because of these nights out that I wouldn't self exclude from the casinos. I used to go to the bookies everyday but since self exclusion, I haven't been inside a bookies for 3 years, so I know it works for me.
Well, after another night of heavy loses at the casino, I have self excluded from all the casinos in my town. I feel releived, the next night out is in April, I don't know what excuse I am going to give but don't particularly care at the moment.
All that I can think about at this moment in time is the huge loses I have accumulated and getting some gamble free days behind me.
It's kinda strange, when I went through 2011 gamble free, it felt so strange when I started gambling again in 2012. Like I had to force myself at first - it's those days that I want back again.
This is day 1 of many.
Shaun
Hi Shaun,
Sorry 2 read about ur slip, it takes a lot of strength 2 come back here and admit it so well done!
A yr gamble free is a gr8 achievement, I know how hard it is 2 be around friends who r gambling, it takes a lot of hard work and determination 2 resist and sometimes we give in, but u have not give up u r back here and ready 2 start again!
U can do this, take it one day at a time!
Stay strong 🙂
Shaun, a gamble free year is amazing and if you've done that before, you can do it again. Plan ahead for how you'll handle the upcoming night out. You'll think of something. Best wishes, Carla
Day 2 today, got to learn the lessons this time. NO! it is not OK to go into the casino just to have a 'free cup of tea'
I have no excuse this time, self excluded form all the bookies and casinos in my home town.
About going out with my friends, well it is only 3 to 4 times a year, I will have to make an excuse because the alternative is losing £1000s and a life of despair.
Shaun
Yeah kinda hard for a cg to just go once or twice a year and just stop in-between. Once I start It's that same old road to disaster. Can always suggests doing something different on them nights out cause maybe your buddies are feeling the same way about it.
Stay strong and it gets easier as we go.
Well it's day 3 today, must admit I am feeling ok. This is probably due to the fact that in my mind I know if I want to gamble I have to drive 40 miles plus.
Feel less pressured about gambling now, hopefully I can start to get some gamble free days under my belt and start living again.
Shaun
Hi Sean
I am pretty ccertain you will have plenty of success in giving up now you have self-excluded. Without doubt you will be tempted by the 40 mile trip but it buys you thinking time and hopefully you will come to your senses on the way if it does happen.
Be ready for the urges Sean - think now about what you will do if you are tempted. May be an idea to carry a few photo's just incase any new shops open - noting spoils their opening day more than someone coming in to self-exclude !!
It a good decision to quit gambling - keep us posted on progress please.
The self-exclusion will save you a fortune.
Best wishes
Dave
Yeah thinking if I had to drive 40 miles to gamble that would slow me down too cause i just wouldn't do it. LOL unfortunately for me just a few mile drive down the road. Sounds like ya got that space between ya so that's a plus. Hang in there and sounds like life is getting better already.
Hi Shaun.
Good for you getting back on the recovery trail. You will know why you have fallen before and what you must do to make sure you do not fall again. Great move self-excluding.
Gambling is for idiots. Stay strong.
Another gamble free day!
It is deffo getting easier - caution is the key!
Have just worked out that if I want to gamble I need to travel 47 miles - no excuses from here.
Shaun
One week gamble free!
Bring on the next three. Small targets, that was the key when I gave up for a year.
Good luck my friends.
Shaun
Well done shaun, Keep going, small steps to the bigger picture.
Take care
Blondie
Hi Shaun,
Well done on 1 wk gamble free, u r doing brilliant 🙂
U can do this!
Stay strong and keep going 🙂
The road to recovery has started this morning.
Gambling debts are around £6000. Have mustered money from here and there and paid £1000 off.
This is going to be a long and painful recovery. Just hope I learn the lesson this time!
Shaun
The problem with hoping something happens is that it rarely does Sean. I hope Everton win the league next season.
We tend to hope for unlikely things. Giving up gambling is different however. You do not need to hope to achieve that. It is something you can guarantee to happen because you are in charge of your own destiny. It's up to you Sean. Approach your recovery with absolute conviction that you will succeed.
Stay strong buddy and you will soon clear those debts.
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