Be the change you want to see in the world

Hi Robert,

Welcome to recovery...It's a bumpy road but sure beats the hell out of the dangers on the gambling one! Is there anyway that you can turn your finances over to a loved one once the money comes in? Once you break the time-location-money triangle, there is no scope to gamble!

Only you have the power to change you & I hope you can do that now whilst you are still in a position to fix this within such a short period of time.

I wish you the very best dealing with this beast within - ODAAT

Hi Robert,

Welcome to recovery...It's a bumpy road but sure beats the hell out of the dangers on the gambling one! Is there anyway that you can turn your finances over to a loved one once the money comes in? Once you break the time-location-money triangle, there is no scope to gamble!

Only you have the power to change you & I hope you can do that now whilst you are still in a position to fix this within such a short period of time.

I wish you the very best dealing with this beast within - ODAAT

HI ODAAT

Thanks for the support :), unfortunately I have tried that route with my family on a few occasions in the past and have found ways round to get my money. I am also im the military and have times were I cant get in touch with people to get acess my money. For now my only option is to handle my own finances. Id class myself as a binge gambler as I can go months without a gamble but as soon as I let my gaurd down, I blow everything I have and more. Family are at their whits end with me which os understandable giving how many times they have bailed me out. Im fortunate that I am getting a bonus from work on my 23rd in February which will pay a large chunk of the debt off but for now I'm taking it one day at a time. one day without a gamble and hopefully one of many 🙂

well its coming to the end of my first day and my mind has been racing all day, lucky im a chef so there isnt too much conectration involved in my job ha. Thoughts mostly positive and mainly fantasising about about the possibilities that a gamble free life brings. ive traveled around quite a bit of the of the world in my job but not had much chance to enjoy it as ive always been skint when I got there. That can and will change starting today.

I've also been viewing quite a lot of gambling dairies on YouTube which is very helpful for me as I like to put a face to a persons back story. Success really is possible as long as we want it enough and atm my only thought is seeing a time where im debt free, gamble free and the rest is down to fate. try to only worry about the things we have a direct affect on and the rest should fall into place.

1 day gamble free 🙂

Hang on to every bit of positive & use it when the urges come because you are right, success is possible! I'm in the early stages but my gamble free life is incredible & yours will be too because instead of just being in places you will be able to enjoy them - ODAAT

thanks again for your reply mate.
I was looking for your thread but couldn't it do you have one?

Hi there emily82 🙂

yeah at the minute im very postive about the future but I know I wont always feel this postive so I will use this diary when I need motivation. thank you for the reply.

im the same as you with regards to the credit card fortunately I can only get low limit cards and I have 2 which I am paying off atm I plan to use them for emergency funds purchases ect when they are paid off but atm they have only been used for gambling. I know what you mean about our finances I could be a lot worse and a lot more time consuming for the both of us for that at least I am thankful. I think it's mental when I look at the debts that i have now 3 of them are phone contracts that I sold straight away thats near enough 3 grand for the 700 quid that I got for them and used to gamble!, utter stupidity ha.

I will keep this up and thank you for the support I am also free to chat whenever :). do you have a diary atm?

Robert x

A new day a new diary entry. I gotta admit im enjoying watching them days clock up on my profile, all motivation :).

I've also been looking at over people's diarys a lot these past few days it's good to know im not the only one struggling with this addiction. I haven't posted many comments yet as im not sure uf my input would be of any help yet (my own advice hasnt worked for me yet ha).

ive also spoke with military welfare today partly about my debt but mostly about the health effects of this addiction. ive only recently realised what a strain this has all put on my health, losing sleep, loss of appetite and most of all the anxiety which im sure u can all relate to (they do say you should never trust a skinny chef)

hope everyone else is doing well 🙁

Hi Ya,

Good on you speaking to your OH, I hope they can assist you.

As for my thread, I started my diary on paper before stumbling across this site (was using an American one for strength & ideas) & haven't got round to typing it out on here yet. As the days clock up, you will start feeling changes...Although mine have not all been good (as I've been incredibly angry @ myself for throwing away so many years), I am sleeping better, feeling real emotions & finally getting to live my life.

I love seeing the number of days going up too & it happens pretty quickly I can tell you 🙂

Stay strong & use whatever you can just to choose No each day - ODAAT

Hello ODAATT and NT thanks for the message.

I am glad ive finally spoke out to my employers about this issue as its usually said not to mention it due to debt apparently being a punishable offenece but everyone I have spoke to has been helpful.I hope more lads in the forces do the same it all raises awareness. I would love torread your story if you do eventually get round to posting it on here ODAAT and congrats on your progress I know I cab make it as far as you evantually.

NT I read your last post, it was really interesting im glad your back your input really helps me and others.

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning and am a bit nervous as to what is going to happen as this could affect my career depending on what is said. but thats of course worst case scenario and im sure il be fine. im also going on 3 weeks leave next Wednesday so that will be plently of time to reflect and enjoy the Christmas season.

Robert 🙂

end of the day another day and another day without a gamble.

Spoke with my doctor today and basicaly after some test with a point scoring system I have low levels of depression with high levels of anxiety which is basically how im feeling atm. He referred me to a specialist who should be in touch shortly for an assessment. Im glad I did finally go and see a doctor about this as I know my main battle atm is less financial but more in my head.

Ive also got in touch with a charity called to Gordon Moody accociation who help with gambling addicts both with counseling and residential rehab. I have a phone interview tomorrow morning with then to discuss my situation and options. I think residential treatment may help me but due to my job, I dont see myself getting the time off for it. I would recommend anyone else on this site giving their Web page a look their testimonials are extremely positive.

My thoughts havent really been focused around gambling these past 4 days but that maybe because I have no money to gamble. the real test will come next payday.

good night and good luck to everyone on this site 🙂

It has been an eventful few days for me. I spoke with the Gordon Moody accosiation on a phone interview so I should hear from them next week. I went onto a gambling account that I opened and noticed there was still £15 in it. Must have been a bingo win as I had pit the last few pennies in the account on bingo games. Unfortunately I didnt withdraw it and lost it in seconds.

I borrowed ВЈ100 from a friend to get me through till payday new year, I went onto a gambing site with the intention of gambling the last 30 quid I had im my account (I had withdrew the other 70 and still have it) but It got declined as a bill I had fogot about came out to the amount of £23 which thinking on im happy about now as at least my money is going to pay off debts instead of creating more.

I havent gambled since Friday and there's no way im going to put the last bit of money I have inthe bookies already fat
pockets.hopefully not famous last words there but I still feel quite positive as I have all week.

Get those accounts closed while your being strong, they are evil & will try everything to suck you back in!

Not posting everyday but my urges are being replaced with thoughts of strangers going through this terrible disease & instead of wishing today is my lucky day (I know it is because I have not gambled) I use my wishes on my virtual friends "For today, please let everyone be gamble free!" - ODAAT