Abstain and maintain.Stepping forward never back.

Half-Life wrote:

Sad day.

The loss of two posters with significant GF time behind them in 24 hours leaves the forum so much poorer in experience but you need to do what you need to do for yourself, Duncs.

Perfectly said Half life. thanks.

Duncs, what I will add is situations like this will come up from time to time. If you change your mind and wish to return, it would bring a lot of smiles to many faces. Stay positive my friend. tri x

Dear Duncan and family.

Duncan your words gave me strength when I had no strength of my own.

Tis Over 2 years now since I happened upon your diary and I've told you what it did for me, it saved my life. simple as.

I see you have called time on your musings. All I have to say is be proud of what you have done.

I swear now I will visit your fair city someday and shake your hand but for now, from my family to you and yours, thank you and may the wind always be at your back. John x

Sad to see you go Dunc's, but I completely understand why.

Stepping forward never back.

Warm regards...S.A

Missing my usual Saturday morning update form you Dunc. A part of me thinks you will still be keeping one eye on here.

I'm sure you will be doing fine out there but part of your continued success has been this place so don't let a minoriy put that at risk.

KTF

Sorry to see you go Duncan. You've been a very positive contributor to this forum and a wonderful example of how we can turn our lives around

Best wishes for you and your family

Louis

Duncan, don't think I'm alone in saying I miss you and your positive honest posts. If I'm ever struggling, reading your diary has always given me hope. Good luck in your recovery sir, wish you the best of everything life has to offer x

Dear Duncan,

I have woken up this morning feeling bereft. In the small hours of a sleepless night I logged into the forum to see how you were getting on, only to find that you had left us. To coin the so far most popular social media phrase of 2016 - you have truly "dropped the mic!"

As you recall we started our diaries within the same week circa 2012 and from day one I saw a mand to be heeded and respected. Your support has been sterling and your diary musings have often been inspiring. Even in those long periods where I had fallen from the wagon, which was nothing more than a small speck in the sun on the horizon, I would check in on your diary which would give me hope and drive me to catch up and climb back on.

You seem to have stopped posting on my diary some time ago. Whether I have offended you or whether you though it best to devote your time to the more needy or deserving I do not know.

All I will say is this. I consider you a friend. I would like to thank you for the time and thought you have given me these past few years and wish your family every happiness life can bring.

I would like to think that one day we could shake hands or bump fists, but I appreciate that this will probably never happen. Perhaps what goes in the forum stays in the forum. I do not know.

The forum will be a different place without you. We need more Duncs. Perhaps there is now room for someone else to step to the plate.

I do hope you read this.

Good bye friend.

Mark

old comrade, nice to see your still kicking it in the teeth... Best Dark Place /

Evening diary.

Well the colds gone, I am feeling the benefits of a few days at half pace,today my cooking without doubt saw the huge benefit of doing so.

The weekend ahead is busy but I believe that for the first time since I started this job I have the right staff in place to maintain standards and enjoy my job for what it should be.

That is the provider of a better quality of life.

I will continue to enjoy the rewards I have bestowed upon myself through the investment of the time and effort I have given.

Next week I will enjoy two full days rest!

And five days hard graft in equalibrium.

Long may it continue.

One thing is for sure, addiction sits in the corner sulking at the position I have created for myself, it looks downtrodden, beaten, dishevelled.

How the tables have turned!

Recovery is an unbelievable provider of opportunity.

I am all in.

Abstain and maintain

Duncs stepping forward never back.

Take care Duncan , I will always be eternally greatful to the support I received from you and your words helped me and many others.

Well I've finished my New Years resolution, I've read your diary in full an what a great read. I'm sure you still stepping forward and never back

KTF

Hello old friend.

As Martin wrote don't forget that your diary is yours use it if you need to.

Well I am compelled to today, this morning I was happily going about setting up for lunch service when a member of staff stopped me in my tracks, here look at this he said, and presented me with a betting slip.

The lad stated i should examine it as it was to grant him a large windfall. He then went on to explain in detail the reason why .

My reaction was to play dumb and just hand it back.

My brain cracked in two, the rational side reacting by telling my mind that good luck to the kid,not my bag and to plough on with the job in hand.

Addiction rode into town in a heartbeat, stating that the knowledge held in my mind could capitalise on the outcome of today's football with much greater effect,it was plain to see the kid was wrong and I could prove it.

Addiction tried to ride over my rational thinking, it saw opportunity and wanted action.

The outcome?

I rode it's debate, I countered all its argument with the truth.

I Cannot win because I cannot stop.

The beginning, the middle and the end.

I am still gamble free, the outcome far outweighs the opportunity to feed addiction.

I haven't told the kid I am a recovering compulsive gambler.

Why?

Embarrassment? No

pride? No

I haven't told the kid because it simply hasn't held relevance.

On Monday I will have the opportunity to tell the kid,an opportunity I will gift myself.

Tonight I by writing here simply nail the lid back on the coffin.

Life in recovery for me is founded on honesty,without the truth I will doubtlessly face addiction, because gambling is a pastime that is readily available, I don't begrudge folk the opportunity to participate, it's just not a feature I choose to accept as a presence in my life.

Because the outcome I know will have a devastating effect on my mental health.

I have enjoyed a wonderful period of inner calm,one I believe came purely through self creation, one I will take the necessary steps to maintain.

I have still read the forum in times when my resolve to make the right choice needs moments of clarity, in equal measure I have used the free time away from the forum wisely.

Sarah is well, she is more beautiful today than she was yesterday and with good fortune I was able to tell her so.

Joe has a full time job and his mental health has been bouyed as a result.

Lily-may has just finished a successful work placement which resulted in the school offering her a full time job once she has finished her degree

And callum has finished his first year of college with a hand full of merits.

I got to enjoy five days in Cornwall with my beloved hounds,watching them explore was a sight to behold.

Addiction is present, it will I accept play a role in my life for eternity.

Today I again looked at it from within, I rode it's charm,listened to the bol#lo#cks it spouted and walked on.

Abstain and maintain.

Therapy gifted and strength taken.

Duncs stepping forward never back.

Great to see you back Duncs! This place is a solitute for many in times of need. Glad to hear all is well with you and your loved ones! Keep stepping forward, never back

Great to see an update from you Duncs pleased to see everything is going well.

Strange how this addiction can sneak up and slap you in the face. You handled it with the mind of a recovering gambler.

Keep stepping forward never back and don't be a stranger.

KTF

So lovely to see you back & yay all round on the family front 🙂

Had a big smile when I saw your post Duncs. Glad your still on the recovery roadwagon. Geee Haaa. Tri