Cecils diary

Some people suggest a photo of the loved one they envisage letting down... pretty sure thats powerful.. get it as a screensaver on all your devices... permanent reminder

Thanks for all the kind replies, genuinely overwhelmed by the comradery.

I got through last night by watching TV and playing some PlayStation. The amount of advertising for casinos is huge, and even the smallest glimpse made me think "why not just do 20ВЈ" or "let's look at the new slots coming out".

It makes me angry that even the smallest flutter of advertising can start of this ridiculous chain of thought, but I'm so glad I stopped myself.

I think in the future I need to remember how good not gambling feels, especially when you can look back on money saved and stress saved.

I used to dream of gambling, and I think it caused a lot of residual stress.

2016 will and has to be a gamble free year

First week went quite quickly! The festive period definitely helps with keeping busy and distracted.

I feel good about not gambling and my partner has said I've been different (good different) over the last week so that in its own is a reason to keep this up.

Avoiding advertising is impossible, the adverts flood in after 9 and are on all channels. There's also posters and such all around where I live so its not quite as simple as avoiding it.

I have the blocks in place on my router so have to use 4g if I wanted to gamble. Downgrading my phone wouldn't make sense, and would trigger too many questions.

I have toyed with the idea of sport betting but not playing slots, but I can't see how this would help in the long run. Unfortunately I don't think there will be ever be a healthy level of gambling for me, I've got to stop

Another night of not gambling complete.

I've started having thoughts of 'i've already done a week so surely a few hours won't hurt', but I realise how much of a backward step this would be.

Hard reset my phone and iPads so that there's no record of the sites on them to trigger any thoughts.

Fingers crossed that work and Christmas will keep me suitably distracted this week

Well done cecil things always going to be hard to start with and always have been anytime i have stopped gambling.keep it a day at a time and those gamble free days will soon rack up.take care and hope you have a good gamble free day.

Hi Cecil

Great that you've had gambling blocked on your router. As ODAAT suggested, have you considered blocking software so you can't gamble on 3G or 4G? There are ones which work on iPads and iPhones and you can find out more at our website:

http://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-advice/what-can-you-do/blocking-software

Take care

Forum Admin

I'm trying to avoid the phone software at the moment, but might install it if I slip back in to old habits.

Happy Christmas to all.

I've been too busy to think much of gambling but still have had a few urges to play a couple of slots. I haven't given in though and have been spending some more money on myself and family over Christmas. I feel so much better for spending half of what I'd gamble in a week on food/drink gifts for my family and parties than I would've if I'd gambled.

I've also been donating to charities, so although not gambling hasn't so far had a huge financial impact, I feel a lot better about where my moneys gone and less stressed about money. And if I continue I'd still be 'up' compared to if I'd gambled. Which makes me question why I was gambling when by not, I would be up financially. Madness

Writing this everyday definitely helps, its just a place to dump my thoughts. So thanks

Again, merry Xmas all

Eurgh...

Back to square one.

I did really well over Christmas and felt great about better managing money and the overall positive effect not gambling was having. However since the new year I've splurged a lot on gambling and can't even say I've enjoyed it.

I'm in a pretty low place at the moment and am hoping this will be the end of my gambling.

Is there any software for android phones to help blocking? I'm also tempted to read any self help books people could recommend?