Abstain and maintain.Stepping forward never back.

One second, one minute, one hour, one day, one week, one month..............one year!!! One huge amount of respect, one amazing journey of recovery, one incredible man, one irreplaceable support, one fantastic wife, one superb family...........one massive doff of the cap to you Duncan.

One minute past midnight on the day you celebrate your first full year on your new recovery........the first of many in succession.

Duncan - you talk about gifts on many occasion. The one gift you never talk about is the gift that you have given this forum. The gift of you. I so wish that you weren't here......for your sake and that of Sarah and the kids. However, you are, and you are gifting every individual who cares to read your posts and who you share your reflections and experiences with.

Never underestimate the positive impact you are making. Never doubt the inspiration you provide.

You are an incredible man. I am going to call you on something though.........I very rarely disagree with the things you say, but one of those very very rare occasions came in your last post.......YOU ARE a success story. Agreed, you're not cured, we never will be - but every day you don't gamble is a success. Your contributions to this site make you a success. Your year of abstinence is a success.

Thankyou Duncan, thank you Sarah...........and without complacency in the knowledge of the challenges that lay ahead take the time to enjoy your success. I for one will take great joy in raising my glass on Friday night and toasting your names as I celebrate your success and continue to live in hope that I will emulate your achievements.

Mr Brightside

One last thing,great to read the threads of those with huge lengths of continued abstinence,a result of the emails gamcare sent to all authors I suspect.

Once again concreting the fact that the most influential and important folk here are the authors themselves.

To embrace the gift of recovery I believe is to pass it on to others.

For it I am ever thankful.

Duncs stepping forward never back

Morning Diary

Well thanks Mr B.I am humbled by your words fella.

So the continued years abstinence reached,I will take a great deal from it,closure to that moment of utter madness,the return to gambling after 22 months without a punt,three hours of a self gifted mind f**k that I am in hindsight glad to say I lost money without winning a single punt.Because that day I truly woke up to the role gambling had played in my life,it strangled the life from me,it destroyed the very fabric I professed to live life by,it made me into something I despise.

Today I embrace all recovery offers,because the truth is it never fails me,it is a true friend,not one that is jelious or needy,it just wants to give,and never stops giving.

So a day off today,a day to rejoice in life,I was supposed to be having a session with my tattooist,but alas he is commited to something else,it will wait,things come to those who do, don't they lol.

Recovery came to me after twenty years of paying my dues

Today I take it back,today I want to live a life without addiction f*****g it sideways,no more self gifted mind fooks.

Please take it,you really have nothing to lose and everything to gain

Abstain and maintain

Duncs stepping forward never back

Hi Duncs,

Congratulations on a full year!

Take care,

Suzy

Well done on the year, Duncan.

I agree with Mr Brightside - you are one of the success stories on this site - and people like me need to read success stories because they offer hope!

Thanks for sharing your story and contributing to my diary when I've needed it most.

Enjoy your day!

Hi Duncs,

One whole year of abstaining and maintaining, what an achievement, it really is a very big and important milestone for you to reach.

365 days, not an easy journey sometimes, be very proud and have a fantastic day, because you deserve it.

Very very very well done

Warm regards

Suzanne xx

Morning Duncs

I have often read the posts on your diary and also the great support and advice you offer to other fellow recoverers.

It would be highly inappropriate to not congratulate on the great achievement of a whole year without gambling.

Well done indeed sir!

M

Dunc,

can I pass on my congratulations for your 1 year abstinence. Will you pick up a 1 year pin from GA?

Best wishes,

gazza

Hi my dear friend 🙂 well...what can i add to the other soldiers comments...BE BLOODY PROUD OF YOURSELF AND KEEP GIFTING YOURSELF LIFE YOU SO DESERVE! !! ( lol..sorry...just wanted to be heard heh). Very well done dear soldier. S x

Well done. betfree365.com

Well done Duncan, congrulations. Hard work has paid out.

Thank you for your help in my thread and your kind words and wise advice that i needed

well done Duncs on a year free and I hope to make that year myself a long way to go but you are an inspiration and congrats to you!!!

Congratulations Mr Mc Quilken, I am very happy for you and your family. With admiration and thanks always, john.

You made the choice my friend, you continue to win every day, congrats, Dark Place

Hi Duncs,

I just wanted to pass on my congratulations for going a year gambling free. A fantastic and remarkable effort from a man who continues to guide and inspire so many people on this forum.

With my very best wishes and continued thanks.

Dave