Abstain and maintain.Stepping forward never back.

Great post mate. A perfect sunday. Such simple things that mean so much and bring so much enjoyment and comfort in our lifes and things we really take for granted when in the grips of gambling in fact we dont even realise these things existed because we can only think of the next bet. Well not for us gamcare lot as we fight the good fight. Have a great bank holiday monday - is that the sun i see on bank holiday monday? Surely not.

Morning diary.

Some great posts about the forum today I take huge spirit from the fact so many on both sides of the fence are putting there lives in a better place. The constant for me from both sides of the fence is gambling can play no part in our lives. Through gambling we become different people, lying, deceitful, uncaring and in a sense i think we give up. My appearance suffered and my mental state left me in a position were i only had room to formulate my next punt and how to fund it.

Through recovery i care about how i feel, to look good makes you feel good and more over i care about other folk, at it i would not have given anyone the time of day, in fact i would curse the folk next to me for bringing me bad luck.

Truth is my life ran its luck out many moons ago, today i don't need luck.

Today I listen and actually enjoy what i hear.

Yesterday we were walking the hounds and a fella was bird watching, the perigrines have eggs, in greeting him with a good afternoon he told us about all the new birds that are here, we have a pair of kites and some rock doves which i learnt are the fillet mignon of the perigrines diet!!! I walked away enriched and smiling mainly because i had a vision of our Steve climbing up the cliff face on the hunt lol.

But today I know i will learn again.

Because i want to.

All made possible because i arrested my addiction.

It lurks about, waves from time to time.

Me i wave back a two fingered salute !!!!

Enjoy the sun today I will.

A special mention to Chicago and Joan two friends from over the pond who reached equally special milestones

amazing.

Duncs stepping forward never back.

Thanks Duncs for your kind words. As ever, Feb will remain strong and resilient and more importantly - GAMBLE FREE!!

Take care.

Feb.

Hey Duncs

I loved reading about your walk. I too am continually amazed at the things I notice now that gambling isn't forefront in my mind. Paddy's now 10 so slowing a wee bit at times, although still runs rings round me lol.

Thanks for the continued support- keep up the fab effort! Have a great couple days work free!

Irene

x

Hey Duncs,

Thank you for the kind words of encouragement, and your always welcomed support. It's a honor to walk this righteous path with you. One we know at times will be bumpy, but we will conquer and continue making that one right choice, no bets! Enjoy your day.

Chicagoguy

Thanks for your post Dunc, any help you can provide is appreciated.

Congratulations on your ongoing abstinence.

Evening diary.

Thanks for all the support it means a great deal.

Glad to see support from both sides of the forum is helping folk come to a better understanding of how this addiction is so destructive and how we all better ourselves through it.

It helps me in my focus on remembering that this is a choice for life. This will never go away, you can't kick it under the carpet and by and large it is impossible to control. The solution is abstinence and through it to obtain a resolve that will see off the urges when they arise.

I did listen with interest this morning the news that Australia

will not have to endure in play betting odds during live sport as the country is dealing with problem gambling, what a breathe of fresh air i thought a nation not seeking a carpet!!! For the greater good i hope we follow suit.

It feels good to have support a concern for everyone, the correspondant was saying children as young as eight were using phone apps to gamble, a scary prospect one which may go to reason why there are many young folk on this forum and d regularly walk through my GA room doors.

It all goes toward for me the middle ground i wish for us all.

I made a choice through my educated mindset today

no bet today

something that will better my tomorrow for sure.

I hope the same for all my fellow gamcarers

Duncs stepping forward never back

Focus is def my keyword at the moment. I have a dreadfully wandering mind (maybe I was born under a wandering star) so working hard on training it to be more focused and succeeding at the moment - see you can teach an old dog new tricks!!!

Sad, scary stuff, children gamblers, they start doing everything so much younger these days, soon there will be no children just mini adults or is that my perspective because I am a geriatric?

Always thought provoking your diary. Thanks

xxx

Good post Duncs.

You're right, I would have climbed that cliff to watch the Falcon. The only time I drive dangerously is when I've got me head out of the window looking at a heron or a passing buzzard. Always loved birds and nature in general, apart from slugs and flies which bite.

You were also right about chefs and alcohol. The 'Galloping Gourmet' was never sober, the late, great Keith Floyd was never seen without a glass of wine. The culinary goddess 'Delia' is forever at the match 'tanked up' goading the opposition. Even the chef that fell in love with Manuel in 'Faulty Towers' got sozzled into oblivion. Seriously though it is a scandal how the Industry neglects this problem and doesnt help those in need. It must be a very, very stressful job running a kitchen or at least full of adrenalin. Glad you've got an artistic side Duncs, it means, I believe, you appreciate and feel things more.

Keep up the good work, enjoy your week.

Steve

Thanks Duncs mate.

I know that you're dead right my friend.

There is more to life than that S***e.

Thankyou for your support.

I am trying.

I hope you are continuing your great recovery my friend, will catch up with your diary later.

Ade

Afternoon diary.

Ade always good tot see you back, a place were I hope you are helped to find a way for you to end the misery in your life.

That is it in a nutshell, gamcare is a place to end misery, well a tool in the fight to end the misery in your life, brought on through our inability to have a rational relationship with gambling.

From both sides of the fence those addicted and those supporting, what hhas been dished up is misery.

Me I stopped adding tot mine on the 23/01/2012 but know it sit's the other side of a wall, the one I have laboured to build, with the help of many great people to be between me and that next bet.

The one which would bring another bout of misery and destruction.

This is a life choice, through abstinence we have a choice.

find what works to add a brick in your wall,

Mine NO BET TODAY.

Duncs stepping forward never back.

Dunc

Thanks for the post and you are doing a great job helping and supporting others.

Whilst I agree that many aspects of gambling are chance, I think that in the same way as any subject where one has knowledge, if you put your knowledge to good use there can be benefits.

If one is gambling on gambling types which are purely random and involve no human element, then inevitably one will lose.

If however one is gambling on events where in most cases humans are making every effort to be successful, and the gambler can restrict to those events which he or she has very good knowledge of and be disciplined and in control, then the gambling pattern can be one of enjoyment and a hobby and whilst may not end up in profit, will not end up in severe loss, never mind the stress, anxiety and extreme debt levels which are a result of gambling on random games of chance.

I fully agree that abstinence is the answer but abstinence from the areas which cause a problem can surely be divorced from abstinence from those which do not.

Captain.

Fella thanks for the reply fella i enjoy feeding my brain today rather than the fobt.

I have replied on your thread to which i hope is a measured view, an honest appraisal of my status.

In a line.

My name is Duncan i am a compulsive gambler, one bet from destruction. No bet since 23/01/2012.

Stepping forward never back.

Hi mate, I am still alive just haven't been on since Friday, been busy with the girlfriend and her family and then of course Wembley, which was out of this world. Hope you watched it and wished us well, we certainly deserved the win.

Good to see you still doing so well, I sometimes find it hard what to say on your diary as I don't think you need any encouragement, you are just doing so well and you have things under control, but I do see you as a great friend and even a little chit chat about the footy, shows I still care and that I am thankful for your support.

Together we will continue to enjoy life to the full.

Cheers Pal.

Duncs thank you for your kind words.I'm in such a different place this week, miles away from where I want but closer than I was and that's progress

Paul