Day 1

Getting a lot of inspiration from reading through other people's diaries. Feels reassuring to know I'm not the only person who has fallen foul of this horrible addiction.

Hi Andy,

Massive well done to you for being honest to your partner, it is a very hard thing to admit, but it has given you the strength now to follow through with your recovery.

Keep strong and stay focused, recovery truly is an amazing journey,

Suzanne xx

You've certainly done the right thing Andy. Great to hear your partner is supportive. Don't forget, other help is out there, I have found GA a real help. Keep strong and keep posting!

Thanks for the comments folks.

I have made the first step and posted my shop self exclusion forms.

Day 2...

My amazing wife has been unbelievable. Together we have sorted the finances and I feel massively relieved knowing she will have full control in future and I won't be able to just sneak off and gamble everything away.

Off work now for a few days so going to keep myself extra busy abs look at joining the local gym

Almost end of day 2. Feel lots better already and like the biggest weight possible has been taken off my shoulders.

Going to try and keep myself busy tomorrow as Saturday's have normally involved lots of football bets.

Sat watching the Chelsea Liverpool game and enjoying watching a game without having money riding on it for the first time in a long time.

I certainly did. Great to watch a game without caring who scores the next goal or how goals were scored etc.

First Saturday without a bet for a very long time and feels good

Well so far I have not had any real urges and actually enjoyed watching sport over the weekend and not ruining it by having money on it.

However my real problem has always been roulette machines in the bookies. I handed forms in a few days to self exclude myself. Glad to know I won't be going back in those dirty shops again where I lost so much money.

Back at work tomorrow which will keep me busy and though I'm feeling positive about not wanting to gamble I'm not going to get complacent.

The last bet I had started with nipping to the bookies to have a tenner on football and ended with losing a fortune on the roulette machine. This just shows I can never have a bet again as things get out of hand so quickly.

What a difference a few days can make. Feeling a lot better but realise it's very early days. Spent quite a bit of time reading people's diaries today and it's really sunk in how this horrendous addiction ruins people's lives.

Day 7 and not having any urges at the moment. Been really busy with work so that helps.

My head feels so much clearer without constantly thinking of odds and all the c**P that surrounds gambling.

Already noticed I have become more patient at home and not snapping at people for the slightest thing

Hi sir,

Thanks for your dairy. We are quite similar in our gambling. Machines were my downfall and like yourself I would go to the bookies with small coin for a football bet or a race and once it had gone I would be drawn into the horrid fobt loosing tenfold in minutes on the wheel.

They are now the thing of the past for us and we are the true winners giving up these devil rigged machines. These things keep the highstreet bookmaker popping up on every corner. Not our small footie bets.

Well done in your quest to stop. Keep posting.

Thanks for your words. It's sounds like we are very similar and you say it's these evil machines that make the bookies so much money.

I don't miss playing them at all, I just feel hatred towards them for what they done to me over the years.

I do miss the odd football bet I must admit. I almost see the fobt to a separate addiction to other forms of gambling if that makes sense.

I have never chased losses on a football match or horse race anything like I have on fobt.

Good luck in your efforts. I'll keep an eye on your diary.