Abstain and maintain.Stepping forward never back.

Afternoon Diary.

Today I want to say I feel I have learnt so much from this addiction and the likeminded folk who share it, that today my wish is to keep giving back.

For someone who did nothing but steal from life, create missed opportunities, disapoint foremost themselves, Today I want to give back.

How?? Become a better Husband to my beloved wife, this morning as we awoke, holding hands I told her I love her, Because I do with all I have, not because of gambling shame or guilt, just because I celebrate each day with her because it is worth celebrating. To become a better father to my children, to listen and encourage and most of all be proud of them, they are all all and more a Dad could wish for, to become a better Son, to speak to Ma more, to share with her all I can, because I stole time from her,time we wont get back. To life I wish today to give it all 100%, not waste a minute, Why??

Because this morning I made a choice to better my life first and foremost, and in turn that of those around me with a choice,

To not waste my day chasing a pipedream a day to say NO BET TODAY.

Recovery is the constant in my life, and without doubt it fuels my life, with it I can adapt,learn and enjoy living as this through gambling was the thing I almost let it take away.

Just for today I am proud to say

My name is Duncan McQuilken I am a compulsive gambler No Bet since 23/01/2012

Stepping forward never back.

Lovely post as always Duncan. From the heart, with honesty and vision. You are an amazing inspiration, as is your wife, to others and no doubt to your family.

To want to better yourself so that it may impact on those you love the most shows what a decent man you are and a credit to society. I hope others draw from your experiences, I know I do, and see that life can truly be enjoyed.

Abstinence is a wonderful thing. Have a great week.

G

Yo,

Wouldn't it be nice to sit on those bar stools and just chat about recovery .

Thank you for your post , I sooooooo get the sting and instrument thing . You too as I hope I have been for you , have been a string in my recovery . As have so many of the good folk on gamcare that have joined us on our journey .

I to be honest along with some are looking for the what's next , what do we change to sustain a recovery long term once you get past the one day at a time .

Your post on my thread today gave me food thought ,

Your post on yours made me pleased that every day your life seems to be enriched . Life after all that went before . I know that at times you never thought that possible .

Duncs your posts are such a joy to read , they give us all hope my friend , that there is a better life out there for the taking .

Shiny xxx

Hi Duncan, thanks for continuing to post supportive words on my diary. I continue to enjoy reading your all inspiring, positive threads, well done on continuing with your recovery and I draw strength from your example every day.

Cheers pal.

Fantastic post me mac, and if people have any doubts about what recovery can and does being they should read that post right there.

No bet today those words have given you something no amount of money could ever buy.

Brilliant

Blondie

100% Duncs in answer to the question you posted on my thread,

In every other aspect of our relationship things were fine I'm supportive emotionally, fiercely loyal we still are very much in love but I can't look after the finances and she has lost trust in me she needs a man not a boy. Thx for the kind words mate and the support I read you full diary last night and turn around like yours are truly heartwarming you are a voice of reason and inspiration to many on here u realized how lucky you are in the nick of time from one fellow chef and cg to another I thank you

Evening diary.

Thanks for all the heartwarming words, you all do enrich my life.

Loneliness was something that went hand in hand with my gambling life. I was always withdrawn,i hated communicating with anyone who would not help to feed my addiction. I judged or blamed anyone who crossed my path for what i can see today was my own shortcomings. Addiction to gambling does rob you of all rational thinking.

Reading rach's diary often fills me with visions of my former self , I would have used someone as kind as hers good nature and generosity to feed my addiction and would not have cared one dot for any fall out.

Today I have a small circle of truly great friends and through recovery i have met countless folk i care for.

So today my glass half full i feel humbled but seriously enriched by the choices i make.

Tonight my Sarah went off to wish her head teacher a happy retirement, she looked stunning and wears a big smile, tomorrow she is having her do done, wonderful to know the hard earnt is spent well.

Me i am enjoying the darts, Glasgow is rocking lol a few sore heads up there tomorrow!!

Me i will enjoy it from the couch with my boys and the whippets .And too boot the boiler is back action!!

If you get out what you put in, today I reaped more than i sowed.

No bet today, nothing offered to tempt me back to the misery it brings.

Duncs stepping forward never back.

Hi Duncs,

wrapped up in a warm blanket with a steaming cup of tea with honey and lemon back in the day I would have spiked it with a little bourbon but, that was then and this is now eh? lol 😀 Oh well, I raise my glass to thee. Cheers Duncs!! -joanxx

Good Morning Fine Sir,

As always a heartfelt thanks for your recent support. I built a reputation on this site for being Mr Positive and finding something good in most situations. Lately I feel that has not been the case however, I read your diary and see you continue to carry that positive torch. I thank you today for your recovery, a recovery which you embrace and live daily. Sadly there are not enough wonderfully positive stories alongside this addiction but diaries like yours give myself and I am sure many others the hope there is a life beyond our addiction. Thank you so much for continuing to share.

Flagg

Support much appreciated as ever and your wise words gleaned from experience. Interesting about your friend dropping into spending now and then to remember how rubbish it is, just not sure if I tried that the gaps wouldn't get smaller in between each drop in so going to continue with the abstinance route for now.

Hope your health is on the up too so you can soon be frisking about with the spring lambs as well as eating them, o*g that didn't come out right at all but I think you know what I mean.

xxx

Yo,

Nice post Duncs and thank you for the one on mine .

Hope you manage to get a bit of time off over the weekend , to spend with your brood.

Do not over do it with chocolate , lol

Shiny xxxx

Hi Duncs,

Been reading through your diary tonight. There is so much truth in what you say, I could have wrote some of it myself lol.. You find the time to stay around. You are really needed here. I hope you will always stay. Thanks for the latest mail. Unfortunately I have to commit myself to the bigger picture. So I will not return. I am helping so many people through many different addictions. Not that I would ever belittle the gambling bug. It drove me crazy for over two decades. I prefer to help find and treat the root cause than deal with fighting the symptoms. So I will continue on that road. You are a great man, my friend. Keep posting, this forum would never manage without you.

Mr.B.

Hey Duncs,

Hope you have a very nice Easter, and thank-you for your words of encouragement to everyone and myself.

Chicagoguy

Morning diary.

Thanks for all the kind words, without doubt Mr.B a great deal of my posts have been drawn from the great knowledge which you have passed on through your endevours to go further than just abstinence.

Yesterday was not just a good friday but a great one. Only downside was I could not log on all day, seemed like my phone wanted a day off. Funny thing is my childhood memories of good friday are of that of a day which was one of the most peaceful throughout the year, Why?? because when I was a nipper the bookies was closed on this day, to my knowladege it was one of the few days a year when there was no gambling available, So always was a happy day growing up, the old man would always be different on those days.

Sadly I know the industry of gambling today is a 24/7 365 days a year buissness. For the compulsive gambler there pursuit is never contained tho the hrs when the bookies was open, my Sarah had her hair done yesterday and her ex husband is a compulsive gambler still at it, hence the ex!! and she told sarah of a time when he would go to the pub when the bookies was closed not to drown his sorrows but play the fruit machines, and with irony she said he would put in 20 quid,take out say 3 and say to her look I won!!!!

Oh the mad mind of the compulsive gambler!!!

Still me i am on a winning streak no 24/7 shop is taking from me!!

No bet today, no need I choice LIFE.

Duncs stepping forward never back.

Just a quick note,

There is poetry and other events occuring today all over my city to celebrate

"The lost Hour"

This made me smile, wonder if I should get my Joe to pen me one, The lost Hours!!!

Apt.

Duncs stepping forward never back.