Can a compulsive Gambler ever be a cured??

Hi Devonian,

I was really nice to read your recent posts and to listen to all the positive changes you have made. I am so happy you have saved your relationship.

I have reached my 'epiphany' without an absolute necessity to tell my partner and I so wish to spare her the worry and the hurt - that is my motivation to ensure an absolute zero tolerance to my own gambling.

The philosophy behind the title of your thread is of huge interest to me. I wonder if I will ever be free to subconsciously steer clear of gambling or if it will be a lifetime of vigilance. I hope its the former, but the latter would be a small price to pay when faced with the alternative....

Take care

Well it has been a while since I posted in my diary so thought it time for an update.

I am now 198 days along my journey of non gambling, and hope for many more along the way. I have not had a single urge or temptation which pleases me. However I use this as a warning not to get complacent!!!

Life has certainly taken a continued turn for the better and its all non gambling related. After a extremely hard initial 3 or 4 months with the help of a wonderful advisor from RELATE and our own hard work the relationship with my wife have improved drastically. She continues to assist me, and we work as a team.

I have managed to get a job which started 4 weeks ago and I received my 1st wages today. Well when I say I received the wages it actually went into the wives account but I was so happy to know it went in there. Had I still been gambling and in control of my money I would probably have lost most (if not all) of my wages today as soon as it went in.

I have been able to contribute to my share with things financially which has in turn taken some pressure off the wife and enable her to be more relaxed with her job. So all in all life is probably better than its ever been.

There is hope for all of you if you can abstain and fight your urges.

Keep believing in yourselves.

All the best

Devonian

So I continue to dream the dream and fight the fight. It has now been 259 days since I last gambled and can honestly say that I have thankfully not yet had the urge to do so.

Life between the wife and myself continues to improve and dare I say it things are nearly back to normal. I don't however have any access to cash other then what I need for shopping and living etc. but I have no qualms about that. My bank continues to slowly see it balance improve and I am able to contribute to things by my share.

After a topsy turvy year I hope that it ends on a high and I can continue to abstain as that gives hope for the future.

Wish everyone all the best. Just wanted to pop on and leave an update.

Best wishes to all

Regards

Devonian

well done

Well the wife is lying asleep next to me so thought I would send another update.

Still no gambling or any real thoughts of doing so since I decided to attempt to stop for good. Its just over 300 days now.

Christmas was a really good time, being able to pay for half of everything and not having to come up with lame lies or excuses why I had little or no money. Perhaps more importantly not having to find excuses to sneak away in the first instance to be able to gamble.

I am well aware that I am only a second away from potentially undoing all my hard work and efforts but for once feel that I don't need gambling in my life anymore.

Short and sweet but that sums it all up.

Hope everyone else is managing their own demons and urges.

Regards

Devonian

Hi all,

Well I have not posted in this Diary for quite a while so I thought it was about time I sent an update.

500 - This has been a big number in my gambling cycle as the was the supposed "BIG WIN" on the FOBT, but for once it not either winning OR losing that amount but a milestone in passing without Gambling. I don't know how I have managed to get to this point as previously I have lasted a year but this time I really think things are different.

I have the backing of a totally amazing, supportive and understanding wife and perhaps for once a purpose and direction in life. She is currently just over 6 months pregnant, we are getting along amazingly well, the money that is in the bank stays in the bank, there is no deceit or lies or excuses to try and cover my time in one of the bookmakers.

I have pride back in myself and realise that I can't change the past but can certainly have a massive say in my future.

To all off you just starting on this long path keep going, anything is possible if you have the dedication, willpower and keep the faith.

I wish everyone of you all the best.

Regards

Devonian (Tony) x