Hello all, Andy here.. I first posted here in Dec 2012 in a terrible state, my original post is here
http://www.gamcare.org.uk/forum/index.php?tid=243231
I left USA in 2012 broke, family ties broke, heart..broke ! After losing everything in America I decided to start afresh abroad and moved to London. The only thing I had to my name was a good CV, as I had never messed up workwise(yet)
I managed to find a good job in London and met a lovely girl but it fizzeled out after 9 months, but not through gambling and this was a first as all my previous relationships ended due to gambling.
I did have one blip after a night out and walking home a bit worse for wear hit a Casino and lost £500 in an hour. I never told anyone except here what happened and just put it behind me with my hangover ! I then got a promotion to Dublin where I now live, and love ! The Irish just embraced me and invited me into their circle of friends without question and I now have 20 odd close friends !
I decided in Jan I wanted to stay here and applied for a mortgage and today I was approved ! Yay !
Things do get better with time if you are gamblefree. I left USA crying and broke and did not get a reply to txts from family for 3 months and London is a very anonymous place so I was so alone.
So no matter how bad things are, once the gambling is out of the picture, things change, people change, you change. It might take time but it happens especially for you in your head.
The old you will return but give it time. As jamesP says ''Gamblers are not patient people'' and want things fixed immediately but take it slowly and go easy on yourself.
Kind Regards, Andy
Hi Andy,
Lovely to hear your success story, thanks for sharing.
It's always great to hear from people who have tried to put their past gambling ways behind them and have managed to see that there's so much life out there.
I truly believe things can be turned around for everyone once the evil demon is kicked to the curb. It's having the strength to stay stopped which breaks people.... I've definitely had my wobbles and still consider myself at the beginning, but it does get easier to tolerate.
What would be your best advice to people starting out?
Very best of luck with your mortgage, I hope it all goes through with no hiccups and you continue on the path of freedom.
Laura
Hi Laura, Thanks for your comment, much appreciated. As for for your Question re advice for newcomers I can only say what worked for me.
On my first day all I did was say to myself ''I wont gamble today'' and the first day was like a week but I stuck it out. Next day did the same. I never said to myself I will never gamble again just not today.
For the first month, I did not just save money I spent it. I paid my bills, did my shopping for food and then bought stuff. My wardrobe was in bits as in worn down shoes, 2 pairs of socks etc as I regarded nice clothes as a waste of money when gambling.
In the first six weeks I had some nice new clothes and a full fridge, a clean flat and a cat ! !
It really does get so much easier once you go through the early hard stage and before I knew it I was 2 months free ! I still say to myself I wont gamble today and I don't think about tomorrow till tomorrow.I wish you well and believe me, It is so worth it.
Andy
Sending this message from the top of a mountain in Wicklow Ireland. Have taken up hill walking at the weekend. I did not like yesterday with Aintree on etc but spent the day buying a good pair of hiking boots, a flask etc and last night packing a good lunch for today. Life is better if you let it get better,so no gambling and like magic it gets better than it was !
Mountain Top Andy !
Feel a bit sick today after yesterdays hike, Typical gambler, Do nothing by half. As I was my first hike I should have done 2/3 miles but Oh No, This seasoned Everest Climber did 9/10 !
Why was I born without the word ''Moderation'' in my brain ? With everything I do it's all or nothing with me !
I remember when I was about 18 I got a salt water Aqurium with beautiful coloured fish and It took about a week to get the temp and water just right and the fish were thriving, But NO I kept meddling with it until all the fish died.
Like Gambling, It was all or nothing !
Just a bit sore today but apart from that nothing to complain about. 2 years and 3 months free today ! .
Andy
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