Boxing Day 1

Well done Claire - keep going ! You are doing great, here’s to a happier, healthier and wealthier 2019

Xx

Thank you !!

Day 73 still gamble free

Day 82 & I made it to Christmas gamble free. Pleased with that and long may it continue !

Fantastic going boxingdayfresh.

Keep it up

Well I’m back to day one. Been a bit unwell and my guard dropped. Hate the person I become when playing in a trance like state. It’s escapism.. from being bored and then I’m hooked it’s like nothing else matters when I’m gambling. Mind is off everything else and focussed on playing and winning only. In the sober morning light I’m seeing sense and want to put a stop on this before it gets out of hand like so many times before. This is a dangerous time .. I’m walking on the edge and don’t want to slip down.

I can do this ... one day at a time.

Hey boxingdayfresh.
Sorry to hear about your slip back to the dark side. Put it out of your mind, you can't change the past. Keep your chin up and stay strong.

Thank you Marcella. I’ve kept gamble free today on day one. I’ve read through and posted on your diary . Be great to have your support along this journey, it can be a lonely journey. I’m still dwelling on the £165 I’ve lost this past couple of days. It hurts but is difficult to forget. It’s a drop in the ocean compared to what I owe - but it has still depleted a large proportion of the little I had saved. Annoying but mustn’t dwell. I’ve refocused and replanned finances for this month and next. Really must stop falling off the wagon. Think I might set some goals and rewards - I’d like to reach 100 days as I don’t think I’ve managed that for around a year or so .

Oh no Clare!!

Right my lovely - tough words coming but written with so much love and support.

Try reading right back from the very beginning of your diary, you are going around in circles never truly coming off the gambling wheel ( your words are just repeating) you need to make some permanent steps. Unless you swallow your pride and tell you closest family that you can trust and self exclude yourselves from the bingo halls - you will never change, you can’t do this alone so don’t try and convince yourself that you can, and giving bank cards to friends just isn’t working. You need to change your thinking, I’ve been there and I’m not going to lie - it’s the most horrible / shameful situation I’ve ever been through but gambling addicts need secrecy to endure. I’ve been the longest ever gambling free but I’ve had to come clean and face up to reality and my god some harsh words have been said and I’ve had to take the truth and face up to my situation and I have never looked back. Gamstop has saved me many times but I had to take that step to remove my relationship with my online secret world for good. You need to do the same with the bingo halls.

Whatever you decide, stay strong and focused on what you need to do to get off this gambling wagon for good

Mel xxx

Day four.

Thanks for your support and comments Mel. I have just registered with Gamstop for the maximum five year exclusion period. I’m pretty sure last time I looked into doing this - this wasn’t an option. Pleased to see they’re now asking all gambling companies to sign up to this and I’m pretty sure before long all gambling companies will have to join by law. I looked at the list of companies already joined and it covers most of the ones I’ve used so that’s good. At least now I know I can’t gamble online any more even if I want to. My biggest issue is staying out of the bingo now but I’ve not been for a good three months now and no intention of ever going there again. I don’t get much free time without kids to go and my closest friends now know of my issues and will not accompany me or entertain going there with me any more. I’m fairly sure I’ve got this now. One minor wobble and I’m back on track. It’s the first time I’ve ever only been gambling for 2 days. In the past I’d have used it as an excuse to go on a binge for months. I’m definitely making progress and feel confident for a gamble free 2019.

Day five and all is well. Nothing to report !

Hello BDF. Many thanks for posting on my diary.

It is regrettable that you gambled but you soon came to your senses and put a stop to it, which is highly commendable. Getting back up after a fall takes courage as well as honesty and I applaud you for that.

I sincerely hope you find what you are looking for and wish you peace and happiness on your gamble free adventure....stephen

Checking in and one week gamble free 🙂

Well done on 7 days 🙂 xx

Thanks Caseyjay !!

Day 9 gamble free