CROUPIER - 13 months GF, read my new post on all of the improvements in life since abstaining from gambling

Day 251!!! 🙂

Hadnt even realised I surpassed the 250 mark yesterday 🙂

Life is good and many thanks to all who have and continue to support me and to all my fellow comrades in the 2014 challenge!

'You have a choice today, just pick the right one'

Scambling

Day 259,

Back to work tonight, where I'll see the roulette wheels spinning, the slots making lots of noise and customers cheering when they win...

Close to 9 months on since I stopped and now...

The roulette wheel spinning makes me sick, the noise from the slots is mute and the the customers cheering is a burning reminder that years later they'll probably be pennyless.

Working in a casino used to be fun, not anymore, not with the problems it game me, I cant wait to get out.

Many people ask me if I have sympathy for those who lose being a compulsive gambler myself.

The answer is no. 7 years of hell gambling gave me and it took me that long to realise I am the only person who can change this. No amount of sympathy, help, support matters unless you have the courage to change the things you can.

Scambling

Day 266,

The weeks are just flying by at the minute. Next week will mark the 9 month mark, 3/4 of a year 🙂

Dont get complacent

Scambling

Scambling

Great to see those gamble free days being added to your continued abstinence,keep making the right choice

Most of all enjoy it!!!

Abstain and maintain

Duncs stepping forward never back

Day 268,

Thanks Duncs for your kind words 🙂

Less than 100 days now, before I stop counting the days and start counting the years!

Scambling

Day 308,

No update for a few weeks, however I've still been hanging around the forums. Life has been busy, but no complaints whatsoever. No thoughts og gambling even though I'm constantly surrounded by it.

Finances are better

My mind is better

And my life is just beginning 🙂

If your going through hell, keep going...

Scambling

Hi Scambling

I am a returning member as of today. I can identify with you in that I used to work in a bookmakers and compulsive gambling has dominated my life since 2007. The only break in that was a 13 month period to May this year where I was committed to giving up gambling. But complacency slipped in and over the past six months things have been as bad as ever. Remember that nothing will ever change!! With regards to your job I haven't worked in bookmakers since 2009 but since then I have suffered some of my biggest losses. There is of course something to be said for not exposing yourself to dangerous situations (ie. working in a casino) but as you know it is only your resolve which can stop you gambling and this needs to be just as strong when you get a new job or you might get complacent like I did.

Great to hear your story and congratulations on turning your life around.

Take care, Myles

Day 310,

Hi Myles, thanks very much for your encouraging words. I must admit, that I am looking forward to getting out of the business whenever I can, however I know that I'll always be a compulsive gambler regardless of where I work.

I have barriers in place and I openly speak about my problemwith my family and partner as well as attending my local GA group every 2 weeks.

I intend to never give in and to also offer help and advice to others who may have succumb to this life devastating addiction.

As far as your problem goes, I have known a couple of bookmaker employees getting involved in gambling. It cant be easy to constantly have the odds in your face and most of them now have a competitor next door.

I'm sure you have seen a few things working in one. I hope you have started a recovery diary and I look forward to reading it.

Scambling

Day ........................................... THREE HUNDRED AND SIXTY FIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesssssss! I did it, my biggest milestone to date. I am 1 year on since my last bet and can honestly say my life has improved drastically. Nothing much changed in the first 3 months, as I was still paying off payday loans and in the self loathing stage, however from there life just got easier and much more enjoyable. I have been on holidays, bought myself new clothes, ate properly, progressed better at work and slept much better. Gambling is not all about financial and I cant believe how I could handle the amount of stress I put on myself. This is the biggest benefit in my eyes. Without the stress I could put my mind to much more useful things.

It wasn't easy, especially the first 3 months, but after stopping so many times before and only ever lasting a few weeks this time round I did something different, which was the key in getting past those first 3 months. I handed complete control of my finances over and worked out a plan of how and when to pay off my several payday loans. As I had no access to money, I could'nt mess up this time. After seeing the progress I had made after 3 months I started realise how much less stress was upon me and started to enjoy going out for the odd beer or meal every now and then as I could afford it. Since then I havnt looked back and it has become alot easier to avoid temptation.

I still have barriers in place and of course using this website and attending gamblers anonymous meetings have also aided my recovery and just because I have reached 1 year gamble free does not mean I am going to stop using these methods of help. I honestly could'nt have done it without the support of everyone here and my lovely girlfriend by my side. I want to say thankyou to everyone I have interacted with on gamcare and wish you all the best in your own recoverys. Feel free to post any questions on my thread and I will do my best to answer accordingly.

1 year on....

Scambling

Hi scrambling,

Just want to say A VERY BIG FAT WELL DONE to you,

One whole year of abstaining and maintaining. What an inspiration you are

Have a great day.

Suzanne xx

Great News

Thankyou Suzanne, Emily and Michael. It means alot 🙂

It can be done and the proof is here to see. Yes there will be difficult times, however learning to cope through these times is the key. Time is a great healer... If you allow yourself time

Scambling

Well hello 2015!

What a great year 2014 was for me. Not a single bet all year and seeing the results towards the end of the year was a wonderful feeling. I have realised that I have to start updating my diary more often, as I would like to help/inspire others to stop gambling.

The results are incredible, but it is not easy and it does take patients! (The reason I always slipped up)

I am well over a year off gambling now and have also just moved house this month. Again only possible because of not gambling. I am still working in the casino industry, which I feel has no effect on my own compulsiveness at this moment. I dont find myself playing along in my head anymore, coming up with new strategies or feeling an urge to gamble anymore. This is all positive stuff, however I will still be looking to get out of the business when I find the right oppurtunity.

Anyway, lots still to get unpacked, so I'll leave it there today. Feel free to ask any questions that you may have and also look at joining the '2015 challenge' in the overcoming section for great help and support!

Thanks all,

Scambling

NT wrote:

Thanks so much for coming back on here and reminding us all that it can be done.

The rewards such as being able to move house are there for us to grab.

Keep going and never, ever get complacent. Your journey is not yet over.

NT

Hi NT,

Every sentence you wrote js perfectly true. The rewards are there, however to get there it takes determination, hard work and alot of patients. Three things that are not easy to find when your backs against the wall after another blow out. The last one however (patients) was the key success for me and still is now. I'm still in debt, but its manageable and for the last 6 months I have been living comfortably. It is important to set REALISTIC targets. I found out that if I tryed to pay off too much, too quick I resorted back to gambling as a quick fix to my solution. Getting past those first 3 months is critical. I even went to the extent of cutting my bank card in half and just going into the bank once a week with my passport to withdraw the exact amount I had budgetted for each week.

I am glad to say that 13 months on I can look after my own finances again, however as your last sentence states I know my journey is not over and I am not about to become complacent. I understand the power of this addiction, but I do not fear it anymore. I am brave enough to say that my name is Scambling and I am a compulsive gambler.