Abstain and maintain.Stepping forward never back.

Duncs,

What a moving post, and no matter what results pop throught the front door today nothing can change the way you feel. I am sure given the way you have shown your kids that hard work pays dividends your son will get what he deserves.

Again thanks for the advice on my diary, very timely and helpful, things are changing for me and firmly believe the support people have given here have helped invaluabley.

Good luck Joe!

Stay strong

Afternoon diary.

well the results are in 3 b's which means joe will be off to uni in the autumn, he phoned me at work, were I was pacing frantically lol. Now sat in the dentists with our youngest he is about to have braces fitted, so today for my two boys will be memorable for very different reasons, then I am back to work for dinner service then for the next three days it is just me and my boys as sarah and lily-may have gone to somerset to visit my mum, we are joining them sunday night for a few days, then lilies gcse results a week today.

Tonight I will enjoy a pint with my joe and with out doubt be toasting my gamcare family, your heartfelt words today have helped immeasurably.

Duncs stepping forward never back.

Duncs,

o*g......Am so so happy for you....What a very proud dad you must be!

You actually made me shed a tear!

Just look at how you have turned your life around!

I will raise a glass to you and your wonderful family tonight!

Sue xxx

hiya Duncs

WOW...what a difference a day makes as the song goes...

Beer o clock coming up for you and it will taste sweeter I guarantee knowing that your boys are meeting their own challenges with Dad by their side...

Nothing like being present for people and just being "there"...never underestimate that my friend...It will be remembered.

Enjoy that pint and good on you and your family...

always forward....never back

R and D xxx

Days like today are treasured.

And the longer that you stay away from the evil gambling world, you will have more days like today.

So why gamble?

Enjoy your evening, I will make one toast to you and your family.

NT

DMac,

Great post to read. Very proud moment for you and a real pleasure for us to read. You really have turned your life around and it seems like everyday is a happy one.

Tomso.

Morning diary,

thanks again one and all I do feel I have my addiction by the hand and wont be letting my grip loose any time soon.

today I got up early feeling fresh,enjoyed a couple of beers with joe and we watched the peter kay stand up on chanel 4 brilliant way to end a day.so this morning gave youngest(bless he looks like he has done a dozen rounds with mr T) have alay in and did his paperround,lol I miss my Dog and our morning walk!!!! ( oh and my Sarah Lol) then back and enjoyed the morning papers and tea with the boys before heading into work.

today my two sons will enter there dream team into a football competition which raised the question I know may cause some contraversy but I speak from the heart. Is gambling evil?? for me the honest answer is NO, the addiction/compulsion to gamble is evil without doubt, but the punt for normal folk is an enjoyable past time, I think the same goes for all addictions no?? drink in the wrong hands is evil, in others hands it is an enjoyable past time, So today I listened to my boys discuss the current players and there selections and enjoyed the conversation, for me this is another massive step in my recovery. Duncs wont be placing a bet of any kind not even a coin toss to see who buys the first round, I will step up and buy it!! Gambling beat me had me licked so the answer for me I wont bet, but my boys?? well they show none of the signs of what devistated my life and there is so much rational thought I think they are able to enjoy it, so why not i enjoy a pint.??

Duncs compulsive gambler no bet today.

Afternoon Dunc.

couldn't agree more with your last post.

gambling CAN be enjoyable for some but NOT FOR US !!!!!!!!

I wonder if the number of people getting into financial /emotional difficulty is on the rise ,as gambling is everywhere?

Best wishes,

gazza

G'morning Duncs:

Congratulations to your Joe!! I agree with your last post. I think the golden rule is freedom of informed choice. It is the addiction that is the evil. I have been drink free for 20 years now but, take no moral issues with alcohol. Cheers!! 🙂 Joan xxxxx

hiya Duncs...

Great post there....

No...I don't believe gambling,drink and all the fleshpots are evil...its the addcition that is.

My addiction is to people so Im stuffed really..!!! lol...I will never able to totally abstain although a Monastic life has always held an appeal...so I shall always have to be "controlled people addict"...loose casual distant relationships (methadone) oppose to full on domestic bliss (heroin) ...lol....

just kiddin..

You are living life to the full my friend and deservedly so..Keep on trucking...always forward...

R and D xxx

and waves to the fam and wuff xx

Morning diary.

Thanks for all the replies, as I said I do feel this is a huge step forward for me.today I don't feel anxious, no lies to hide no itching to chase loses, today football will be for maybe the first time in 20 years enjoyable for what it is, not something through chasing results which would inevitably only produce more stake money. Today youngest will watch his first game on his season ticket. A product of my arresting my addiction, so today I am off to work to tune the radio into the football and hand in hand enjoy no doubt a very hot busy day upon my stove and the wonderful sport football.

Tomorrow I will be putting my all in early at work in the knowledge that by early evening I will be with my boys be getting off a train in somerset to enjoy a few days off in company money cannot buy.

I hope whatever you are doing this weekend it is full of sun inside and out!!!!!

Good thing we are off too as I fear young hovis may be dog knapped by my mum !! Lol yesterday they walked 5 miles on return he had to be showered as he was black not fawn lol!!!! Then he took up residence on the couch head on nans lap.

Duncs stepping forward never back

Morning Sir,

I work with a few guys that I can honestly say have not mentioned gambling for about 3 months. The football season starts today and yesterday having a bet on it was all they could talk about. It is a bit of fun/excitement for them, once a week punters. They have their banter and they stake a few quid. They are ecstatic if they win and unaffected if they lose.

Like you said it is the addiction that is evil and too be honest I wish I was one of those guys who could stake that few quid and ultimately be unaffected by any scenario but alas I am not. Much like you I choose today not to stake a single penny. I too walk hand in hand with my addiction and keep it as close as possible. It works for you there is 31 weeks of proof that is so.

I always find your posts so uplifting and I thank you for sharing your experiences each day.

Flagg

Yo,

So pleased Joe got the results he needed . And hope its good news for son number 2 next week.

Amazing seeing stretch there wings . My youngest went to the v festival yesterday , hunter wellies (£80a pop)

and the shortest of shorts . When I commented on the contradiction in terms , she said mum you know nothing this is proper festival clobber

Proves we can learn so much from our kids ,

Anyways , do not envey you today , bloody hot in my house , can only imagine the heat stroke you and yours could be risking at your stove today .

Have a great time in Someset , will you be trading the black stuff for a bit of cider , least you can put ice in that lol

Shiny xxxxxx

Evening diary.

I made the train and through half way, cooled down enough after a busy lunch of which sausage and cheddar mash was strangely the top seller!!! Hello hot weather have the crab and roasted pepper salad¡!!! well back to it cooled enough to start on the west countries finest cider (thanks shiny for the tip lol.) Now going to enjoy the company of those near and dear to my heart, you know what they say about absence

Well I sure did miss hovis lol!!!!! Oh and sarah my sarah very much too. Today again I am reminded how far this journey has brought me, before if I had managed to get a few days break I would have stopped at salisbury to play the machines and would be doing the second half potless again planning excuse after excuse for my lack of funds, today blocks in place no xxxchance I got the observer for the food mag brilliant will keep me busy reading for my break and some beverages lol for me and eldest to enjoy and once again because I have a choice and just for today I choose no bet.a decision I know will make tomorrow a better day.

I hope all you football fans gamble free enjoyed the opening of the season as much as I did.

So no stove for a few days no pressure, just family and chilling oh and a pint or two of cider, then home to enjoy lily-may s gcse results our daughter the apple of her fathers eye.

Duncs stepping forward never back

Compulsive gambler NO BET today.

Duncs,

Hope there are no sore heads this morning!!

Sausage and chedder mash sounds lovely, especially when someone else is cooking it:)

What is it with dads and daughters, when we were planning a family years ago, I firmly stated I wanted 2 boys. Ask me today and I would say give me daughters all the way. Love my boys dearly but my wee princess is just special!

Keep enjoying your time friend, cause that stove will be calling soon enough!

Stay strong

Steve