Changing for the better

Hi mrt,

Welcome to the diary section. You have made a massive step in acknowledging your problem, well done. There is a lot of support available to you here, from many different folks with one common denominator - none of us can control our gambling.

From my own experience, being honest with yourself and those around you that you care about is crucial to your recovery, try and keep that in mind over the next few days/weeks.

Without doubt the early days of stopping are very hard indeed, keep reading and keep posting, its amazing how cathartic it can prove when somebody leaves you a message of support, or in time when u feel u can support others.

Try the chat sessions if u can, there are some great people to talk to, each with a wide range of experience and their own story to tell.

Finally, do this for you, recovery is selfish. But those around you will hopefully notice the difference pretty quickly.

Well done on finding this site and I wish you every luck in your recovery,

DT.

HI mrt

I was exactly like you, playing them late night television casinos, now i cant even stand to see they are still there. U know what, even when id lost all my weeks wages id sit and just watch without having bets riding, arggg watching some idiot presenter talk cr**, what was i thinking.

Anyway in the end, i ripped out the wire connecting tv to the telephone socket after a big loss, and sky still works perfectly, only i cant do that interactive nonsence.

Hope you stick around the site mate, you will get great support and advice, all from like minded people who never judge.

All the best mate

neil

Hi MRT

We are all here for you - post when you can and let it all out - believe me it works!

Thank you DT, Neil and Georgie for you replies and the warm welcome. Not sure whether to feel glad or glum that there are a lot of others in the same boat, if you catch my drift.

Today is day 2, and the not gambling hasn't really been an issue. Don't think there was ever a pattern to my gambling. If the opportunity arose, that is when the problem kicked in. I've walked past 3 today and felt nothing other than disgust. Mainly with myself I suppose. The uncontrolable side of me would only show itself once I had started on the machines.

I've read in many other diaries that we cgs seem to forget the value of money when we're "in the zone". Like many others, I have spent hour after hour shovling £20 notes into the machines without a second thought, only to be delighted in finding that the local supermarket may have an offer on beer that saves me £4!!

So day 3 tomorrow, and I have no intention of gambling.

Thanks again for reading.

Hi Mark,

Thanks for your post on my diary. Strangely the early days of not gambling were ok for me too, probably because there was no money left in my case. You sound really determined to sort your problem out, keep posting on your diary as much as you can, it has helped me so much to put my honest thoughts down.

Good luck to you,

DT.

Day 3 and not gambled. Plenty of opportunity to but had no urge whatsoever. Strangely only felt disgust. Early days I know but I'll take that.

Good to meet a few in chat tonight. First time for me but won't be my last. Tomorrow will be day 4, and I will not gamble.

Thanks to all and good luck.

Hi all

Day4, almost complete. Haven't had a chance for any urges today. Kept myself very busy with work. Bit concerned about tomorrow though. Tuesdays always seem to be the day I would gamble. Will make a conscious effort to change my work routine and take a different route to avoid temptation.

Found chat today a very humbling experience. I really hope that Very can find the help, support and strength to get through the situation.

Take care all, and good luck.

M

Hi M

I agree, somedays being in the chatroom can be very humbling experiences, its a shame but it always seems there is someone worse of than myself, but that helps me.

Ive done my gambling, and ive come out the other end, pretty much unscaved, compared to others that is! I do have a small debt, but that can be sorted and put to bed in the coming months.

Glad you ar going along nicely, but trust me mate, if your anything like me them urges will come on strong, already you are thinking about tomorrow.

Hope to log on and read you got through day 5 tomorrow. keep strong mate.

neil

Morning all.

Day 5

Have not gambled, and have no intention to. I know it's only 5 days, but since I started the diary, I feel a hell of a lot less distracted by gambling. More fired up than I've been in a long at work. That's made some others sit up!!

Need to keep occupied, and not take any detours on the way home. The kids deserve better than that and at least get to see me on a weekday before they go to bed.

Feeling positive.

Hope yous all well.

M

Hi mrt,

Thanks for your post, shot 79 again today, played some good stuff and some S***e aswell, but enjoyed it and need the exercise so all in all a good day. Been on the greenfree website, and will probably use it at some stage, that skint at the moment(for reasons that I don't need to explain)that I can't afford the vouchers at the moment. Pleased to read about your positive mood in your diary, you are right, your family do deserve a non-gambling you, and so do you, it's no way for anybody to live.

Keep it up,

DT.

Hello mrt

Chatted briefly in chatroom on Sunday. Wish you well and keep strong and over time positive things happen. The best and most important step is to come on Gamcare and admit defeat with gambling and build on from there.

David

Sorry missed most of chat! There's me rattling on about being immersed in work, couldn't steal an hour for myself. Will catch up tomorrow afternoon hopefully.

Take care all.

Hi Mrt,

Make sure you don't keep on shelving that 'me-time'!

Glad you seem to be finding this place a good support. I found reading other peoples experiences very helpful and picked up some good tips.

Hang in there, it will get better I promise.

Take care,

f x

Day 5

Nearly over, just about to head home from work. No detours to bookies as would have done last week.

Can't believe how helpful this site has been. Don't feel remotely interested in gambling. Could be tired I suppose. Been a long day, but feel I have more focus now.

Thanks to all that have posted.

M