Day 0
Tonight I come back on here feeling pretty empty and embarrassed. Having had 4 or 5 years of mainly staying away from gambling, bar the odd relapse, 2024 has been anything but that. From the moment my Gamstop expired and I had it removed in December 2023, not only have I gambled all my savings away but also money that was needed to get through this next month. For the first time in my life, I’m having to take out a small loan to get by this month. This needs to be a massive wake up call.
I’m not even sure how this happened so quickly. But the reality is that it has.
I signed back up to Gamstop in April earlier this year but that has only led me to the bookies instead.
Actions speak louder than words and the only thing that’ll make me feel better right now is accumulating some gamble free days.
This time next year I want to be celebrating a whole year without gambling and to feel ‘normal’ again. Being gamble free is an amazing feeling and one that has made me feel happier, more present, and less stressed/anxious.
I have to believe that it is possible despite the many failed attempts in the past. I have to believe that this time will be different.
I’m determined to make 2025 the year that I finally eradicate my destructive gambling habits.
On a Positive note its only the First time you've had to take a Loan out, thats still pretty good , believe me it could be a thousand times worse. I hope you've seen the Light and take the right Path.Best wishes
Day 1
Thanks Johnny for your kind words.
Unsurprisingly, the urges to gamble today have been non existent. Having had many attempts of quitting in the past, this is often the case. So I’m not taking anything for granted in these very early stages.
I’m hoping that this first ever loan that I’ve had to take out will finally be the wake up call that I need.
Never in a million years did I ever expect to have to resort to taking a loan out to cover me for the coming months, yet here I am. My gambling habits have always been unhealthy but never to the point of needing to borrow money to cover bills, food, petrol etc.
Money will be tight now for the next 18 months but this will hopefully teach me a lesson in that gambling, after 20 years, has never given me anything positive. It has only led me down this road.
Never again.
Yes Dan I understand we never really believe how bad Gambling can be leading to taking loans out, i really hope yiu don't have anymore Loans out.If i told you I had many Loans over the years for Gambling please don't have anymore.Gambling is a serious addiction i hope and pray you stick with Gamcare, at Least they care, its the best thing you can do is receive help from Professionals Like gamcare use there help wisely
Best wishes GUV !
It's a lifelong battle that can be lost at any moment
My 20's were a real fight with it but since I've entered my 30's and left the UK I've pretty much left it behind
Theres a strange relationship between the UK and gambling that I've not really experienced in any other country , I think I read something like 70% of all adults regularly gamble in some form or another which is absolutely insane
I personally wouldn't focus on long term goals with gambling its such a volatile and unpredictable compulsion
one day , one week , one month at a time theres no fast track no cheat codes
Day 2
Johnny - Thanks again for your encouraging words. I hope you’re doing well yourself.
Blackjackcat - It certainly does feel that the UK has become obsessed with gambling, particularly on sports. The amount of advertisements both on the radio and television is insane. The sponsorship advertisements around sports grounds and shirts too. You can’t get away from it. I assumed it was the same around the world but it appears not.
No thoughts of gambling today. I’m determined to make 2025 the year I turn my back on gambling for good. I’m quite excited at the prospect of building up my gamble free days and getting some presence and calmness back into my life. Every time I’ve been gamble free in the past I’ve felt proud of myself for feeling ‘normal’ and having normal activity on my bank statements with nothing unusual to hide or try to explain.
It’s been a bad year of gambling and I’ve lost a lot of money but 2025 fills me with new hope that I can turn things around. I’d love to be here this time next year writing about how I’ve been gamble free for just over a year.
Anyway, wishing everyone on here a Happy New Year. Let’s make it a good one.
Day 4
I’m feeling pretty positive as we roll into 2025. It’s still very early days but I’m hoping that this is the time where I finally lose my association with gambling.
I have a few more days off to enjoy before I’m back at work next Monday. I’ve enjoyed reading people’s diaries on here and taking inspiration from those accumulating lots of gamble free days. I strive for that to be me one day.
Still no urges to gamble which is good but if I’m being brutally honest, the shame of having to take out a loan to cover me is something that I’m not proud of and is a reminder of where gambling has taken me. I’m hoping to pay off the loan within the next 9 months.
There are a few things I want to achieve in 2025. I need to lose some weight and get myself fit again as I always felt better in myself when I got into shape. I am also striving to move up the ladder at work as I’ve been far too content in the past to plod along when others around me who are far less experienced and have moved up. The frustrating this is I know that if I’d have pushed my case, I’d have had one a long time ago but I’ve been guilty of being too passive and comfortable in work.
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