Abstain and maintain.Stepping forward never back.

Morning Dunc

Thanks for your supportive post.

Yes, we will get through this side by side, one day at a time.

How is GA working out for you ?

gazza

Hi Duncs,

Well "I can win because I did stop" Great line Duncs.

Was reading through a lot of diaries yesterday (from sick bed!) What struck me was how very different each person is in their recovery and how they write in their diary. Sometimes you can see a slip coming from a mile off.......then suddenly someone who has appeared to be going great guns gets drawn back in.

I think you treat your recovery exactly right Duncs.....You really do inspire a lot of folks on here!

Sue x

I've been following your diary albeit silently Duncs and must admit to being well impressed with your positive posts and helping others through difficult times.

I can easily see you through the year bet free banner and beyond and also like your stepping forward never back motto.

Its up there with we can't win cause we can't stop.

keep up the excellent work,

Winning Post.

Evening diary

thanks for all your kind words.they do mean a huge amount had a early finish at work today,good thing as i think i traded on two hrs sleep

my Sarah has her staff party tonight and with honesty took my breathe away. A friend came round and made up her hair and wow she looked amazing,nice she can go for a meal and a boogie with all the teaching staff without any worries or anxieties over me or the household financial situation,just go out and enjoy herself.and on a school night lol!!!

As you know i share this wonderful journey with her and she is planning a post on my thread on my one year anniversary.

Long days at work for me till the end of the week more turkey to bash lol!!!so so glad i have beef to roast on xmas day.

No bet today, no time for it.

Duncs stepping forward never back

Hey Duncs....showing your age there with "boogie'..i get chuckles from youth with saying "disco"..lol

So Mrs Sarah was looking a stunner tonight then?....wit woooo..am sensing you are a proud man seeing your lady looking a hottie.

I think it is great that you are on a journey as a family and look forward to reading Sarahs post on your 1 year ...your recovery is really a teatament to team effort and coming out of isolation and allowing other people in to your life to help you heal and get better ....being willing to do that is the first step ..

Since then you have continued to stride forwards....one day at a time.....and have also been an inspiration to us all along the way whilst you walk your path.

hugs

R and Dx

DMac,

Thanks for the reply on my diary. Not much to say other than you are doing it every day and the positivity shines out from your diary. Personally, I thinks that some diaries should be stuck to the top of the first page for newbies to read and yours would be up there. When we come here we are all the same and all share the same problem. From the start we have both shared the same philosophy, which is to remain positive at all times. We are giving nothing up and don't need to feel deprived on the contrary through positive thinking we are providing ourselves with the type of happy and stress free life we have always wanted. Enjoy the peace during the build up to Xmas without the constant worry of winning and then losing a fortune only a few weeks before Christmas.

Tomso.

Hi Duncan,

Thank u 4 all ur support and kind words on my diary. It means a lot 🙂

Everytime I read ur posts on ur diary I smile, the warmth shines thru!

I am also looking 4ward 2 reading Sarah's post on ur 1 yr gamble free... I am sure she is very proud of u we all r... U give me hope 2 keep going so thank u 🙂

Have a gr8 nite xx

Evening diary.

So not a chance to post for a couple of days, been at it!!

work!!!! Put in 34 hrs in the last two days,and managed to fit in my ultrasound this morning. The lady nurse who did it said my liver looks fine, all functioning well so hope the doc will give it the all clear this week and just my blood pressure to sort out along with the gout.

My Joe helped out tonight and walking home we had a great chat, i explained that i think about gambling every day, but in the knowledge of what i am,a compulsive gambler,one bet away from devastation.

Something i Am entirely comfortable with,i Am not running away,i Am staring it straight in the eye.and without doubt my facing it is my biggest life achievement.i Am very proud it does live with me, there for all to see, and why would i go back at it, today i can see without doubt what going back at it would do,cause a wave so big, it would threaten to drown far more than just me.

The tidal wave would devestate many folk around me,so today,yes i talked openly at work about how aston villa would mess up a load of Saturday bets with there win, but enjoy the fact they won.

Why??

Because i love the underdog winning. By the grace of god,me The underdog won today,why??

Because today i did not act upon that little voice deep from within that says "go on fella a little punt upon the outcome of the football will be worth it"

Me i enjoyed the results whatever the score.

Why??

Because just for today they are sporting results that don't matter,and they won't, because for this compulsive gambler they will exist to be enjoyed for the sport they are.

Back to work in six hrs for another busy day.

.but another day in life i will endeavour to embrace,enjoy and strive to be counted amongst men.

Duncs compulsive gambler no bet today

living in harmony with my addiction. Abstain and maintain.

Stepping forward never back.

Afternoon diary.

Well logged on for a top up upon my resolve,a dose of medicine.

So so sad to read of Joans,Rach's and stu's problems all differing in there outcomes but s**t all the same.

Me I went to work early had a couple of hrs of duncs time,a time in my past life were I would spend it formulating ways to find a punt.

Today I took stock of my fridges and cracked on with a busy lunch session,another good day and some old stock recycled.

Sarah has the bug today and is feeling under the weather,so tonight and my morning off tomorrow will be spent doing what I can about the house.

Yesterday I came home to a wonderfully decorated house full of christmas.

Today I got an envelope from the boss my share of the december tips a nice suprise,a good few quid to add to the pot.

Today I dont have the want or time for a punt,a place earnt through searching hard and a constant drive to

Abstain and Maintain.

Duncs Stepping forward never back.

No Bet today.

afternoon diary

Footnote to self

37 days till a celebration of one year gamble free.

Duncs stepping forward never back.

just a check in Duncs....to say thank you ...am in bed with dots..not much to say as no energy tonight but just a quick hello xxxx

Hi duncs,

just wanted to say thank you for your post on my diary. It really really means alot to me. -joan

HI Duncs,

Hope sarah is feeling better! Abstain and Maintain that has always summed it up for me and look how far it has brought you 10 months and never a backward step, glass half full, commitment, humility and dedication to this recovery road we step.

Not much more to say really, all new comers could do worse than read your diary and follow your steps, I have always followed in awe of what you have acheived.

Inspired as always duncs.

Blondie

Evening diary.

330 days gamble free.

35 days until my one year targets reached.

Thank you again for your kind words, to abstain and maintain,(thanks smiler) is the common goal we all strive to achieve. To boot we share the light given by abstinence,showing all compulsive gamblers there is a way.

For me this is another thing recovery gives, not to judge others,to help them unconditionally.

The benefits of recovery do without doubt outweigh any win gambling gave me.

Sarah is much better,her nursing worked,i am sure it was the smoked cod with poached eggs and homemade bread that did it lol.

Three more Christmas functions to go!!!! Then midday Monday i lock down for a celebration of living. One i will be sharing with those i love most.

For the first time i can remember i look forward to a xmas for what it should be and not an excuse to go at it.

No bet today,no odds worth what i have !!

Duncs stepping forward never back

Evening diary.

34 days till the year gamble free.

More importantly as charlotte pointed out 6 sleeps till xmas !! Our baby is 14!! But the magic is still there.lol.

I today feel humbled by our rach's diary, i so wish amoungst others to help,a friend in need and a casualty of this terrible addiction.

And not the addict, it beats me but in a good way, my endeavor to be a better fella grows.

Busy day at work tomorrow, and the weekends trade too,for us amazingly no Friday function so a days grace to prep like mad!!!

I look forward to this and am truly thankful for what i have

a truly amazing opportunity to live.

Thanks for all who show me daily,it is more than worth the efforts.

No bet today no time for it.

Duncs stepping forward never back.