Abstain and maintain.Stepping forward never back.

Evening my friend.

Just thought I'd pass on my admiration to you on how you have handled some difficult discussions and posts on various diaries recently.

Keep up the good work mate.

Best wishes,

Gazza

Hey Duncs ...that raspberry kitchen colour sounds fab ...in fact it sounds "coulis " ...geddit? ..lil chef joke there for ya...just made that up!

The ol Mc house must be taking on a new life but you know what they say? Once you start one room all the others will follow ...I can see that you won't be hanging up the dust sheets just yet.

I'm also impatient with all that stuff...just like to whack the paint on the walls and not prep up..lol

Hounds are saving my soul and being a couple of love bugs..even coming home to a spare room full of greyhound poo and wee did not phase me or make me shout....Poor Penny..locked herself in the room by accident as I have a spring door and was trapped for most of the day...

She was one exstatic dog to see me when I got in..! ..if I didn't know any better I'd say my little mischievous mutt lured her in there knowing what would happen and then spent the rest of the day laughing like Mutley with the bed to herself..

R and D xx

Keep Calm And Carry On Stripping.xx

Just re-read part of your diary from the beginning. You really are a strong, positive presence on this forum Very happy for you that you're doing so well.

Hi Duncan,

Thanks for your continued support on my diary and I am so pleased that you really are enjoying life and keeping busy.

Sorry to see Pompey got off to a bad start, but isn't it great that the season has started again, I've just got to wait two weeks now until my boys run out to play Tottenham, hopefully without Bale.

I don't get on the forum as much nowadays I suppose for me the less and less I think about gambling the less I need to come onto this site but I don't go far and always update my progress every 3 or 4 days.

Keep making the right choices my friend, you truly are remarkable

Afternoon diary,

Have not managed to post for a couple of days been busy, sometimes it feels like there are too few hours in the day and I have learnt that when I log onto the forum I zone out from whatever I am doing, which at home I try to do if there is nothing else that needs my attention as I know and understand Sarah and the kids have sometimes been frustrated by it, I can be mid conversation with them and again just zone out, I also love the fact that Sarah is and does act on these occasions as a guardian to the forum, she will log on a few times during an evening and if she feels someone needs help or a post needs a reply she will alert me to it, so I get to enjoy a night of my families company without them seeing me itching to log on.

Gamcare has become a huge part of my life, I really do beleive in what is being achieved here, it truly does give anybody affected by the compulsion to gamble a place of sanctuary, learning and well needed support.

For me it has been a place were I have dealt with many issues that gambling manifested and to be able to do that in the open without fear of being judged has been of great help, I also know that Sarah has too found this forum a great help in her finding an understanding of what this addiction does to a person.

To end I thank you all for your unwavering support and again find great strength here to carry on making a choice that will better my tomorrow.

My name is Duncan McQuilken I am a compulsive gambler NO bet since 23/01/2012

Stepping forward never back.

I could not agree more. This site is fantastic. It can really help so much. The support is brilliant. Having a place to share and vent when needed, its a god send for all of us like minded people to help us on our way. Im in a terrible place but it would only be worse with out this place. It gives me hope and people like you give me inspiration, when you achieve, i see it can be done and i have something to aim for, with believe that i can do it. Great post and heres to many more happy gamble free days.

Hey Duncs,

What a inspiring post. I am very happy for your achievements and contribution to this site, you are one true leader and show us how it can be done. You help me to open my eyes, and see those little daily things i have forgot for so long. Respect you my friend, you are truly inspiring person and should be very proud of yourself...proud to be great dad and husband.I'm sure everyday brings you more happiness and i wish you all the best!

Always step forward, it's the only way to go:)

Take care and enjoy everything in your life, you more than deserve it

Sandra x

Mornin Duncan

Had a tough week last week but got through it applying a lot of logic and the fantastic advice that comes with this forum , my logic was the only way I could win was by not placing that 1st bet a phrase that u at used on many occasions

This is an amazing site where I truly believe all the answers are here to recover from gambling its just a case of makin the time and looking for them by reading and posting

For urself full respect to u for the way u keep striding forward in ur own recovery a true inspiration to us all

Castle2

Morning diary.

Well today is my last day before my Sarah heads off to spend a week with my mum so we are enjoying a lay in with tea and whippets, well truthfully the hounds are enjoying a lay in with us clinging to a morsal of bed each lol!!

Today we are entertaining some good friends with a bbq and Joe has a couple of his friends joining us too so a great day lies ahead.

I enjoy bbq's as the work can all be done early leaving the time free to enjoy folks company. Then the food is cooked quickly and in the company of the guests and not with me hidden away in the kitchen.

I have a new bbq this year, one which mum and ed found boxed in a sale and it retains the heat in the coals brilliantly well so it is a joy to cook upon. Lumpwood for me is the key, why oh why do the shops think we all want that instant lighting cr#ap that makes everything taste like it was marinated in petrol lol and gas bbq's don't even get me started on those (sorry mum) i will never understand them, in my mind you just as well use your stove indoors!!!

So I look forward to the men gathering by the fire later as it does seem to attract us, like moths to a flame and enjoy another day of rewards that abstinence gifts.

I have started the day well, great company in my bed, all three now snoring in harmony (sorry Sarah xxx ) have read a great load of diaries, to which I wish i had time to post on them all and now I am ready to enjoy my day.

I am so pleased to read threads that share the happy times that abstinence brings us, as this for me is too an important part of recovery.

Yes I came here broken and in need of guidance, help and support to which I was given in abundance, it also helped to make me focus on what can be achieved through abstinence.

To read the good that comes from arresting the gamble helped me to want those goals too, I also learnt that hard work gets you those goals, I stopped thinking i deserved something for nothing and that in life you really do take out what you put in. Financial goals became the least of my priorities as for me my true happiness is not material.

I looked in the mirror this morning whilst parking the bike and I did smile at what looked back at me.

Why wouldn't I, in the bed i share there is something money can't buy.

Unconditional love, something I tested to it's limits.

Would I stake that against short term financial gain through having a bet.

Just for today No chance.

The odds are stacked against me because I cannot win because I simply cannot stop, when engaged in the activity that is gambling.

That for me encompasses all forms of gambling.

So today I will enjoy what i have and be proud to be a part in life.

One day at a time life keeps improving.

Doubtless without my beautiful wifes company this week gamcare will get the lions share of my time.

To which I use as my salvation

I did win because I did stop.

Duncs stepping forward never back.

Great post as always Dunc, you find the truth and value in everything and it prods me out of my complacency, thank you. I haven't read or posted much lately do to being busy, I haven't gambled for nearly 500 days now and with a big smile on my face, when two counter assistants tried to tempt me with lottery tickets yesterday, I declared 'no thanks because I'm a compulsive gambler.' No shame in knowing what you are. Take care Duncs as always, keep enjoying your recovery for its easy to forget the abyss we all once frequented.

Steve

Hey Duncs

Thanks for your lovely comments. Hope your bbq goes well. Enjoy!!

Lady Feb.

Hey Duncs,

Fantastic and inspiring post! We do win, win every day, the best things money can't buy.Love, understanding, freedom!

I wish you to have a great barbecue, and just do what you always do...enjoy your loved ones company, that's all what matters.

Thank you for continued support.

Day at a time, and today we make the right choice:)

Sandra x

Duncs,

Great latest post - awesome to hear such positive words. Approaching 9 months gamble-free, I'll admit my use of the forum is becoming more sporadic, but yours is always a diary I'm keen to check-in with.

I still have a long way to go in my overall recovery, but I've clocked up almost 250days without gambling - and feel pretty confident I cannot ever afford to go back there. The progress of so many on here is thanks to the support and encouragement of people like you.

Keep up the good work mate

D123

Hi Duncan,

Just popping in2 say I hope u r ok, I'm sure u r missing Sarah lots but I know u will be keeping busy!

U r a true inspiration, thank u 4 all ur support 🙂

Have a gr8 day xx

Hey Duncs

heard about your town Plymouth...is that right? Anyhooo they banned pay day loan advertisements from billboards and Internet didn't they ? First town to do that...

One guy owed 68 quid ..he paid the 60 quid and went without food and they stung him on charges for the 8 quid to the tune of 4k!!!!!!! Unreal

R and D xx