GamCare

Day 1 begins now

 
Recovery Diaries
Last Post by stuart 3 months ago
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 Waitingforthend
(@waitingforthend)
Posts: 5
Topic starter
 

Day 1 of hopefully being gamble free. I can’t take the exhaustion, time away from life and the financial problems this disease has plagued me with for the majority of my adult life. 

I know if I don’t stop now and try to build my life back up to be stable, I will self-destruct and the next relapse may well be my last for worse, rather than better. 

I have a beautiful young family, great friends and a good job, despite having thousands of pounds worth of debt, as I’ve kept this curse a secret all my life. I’m not prepared to open up to anybody in person, as I know I just can’t do that, so this needs to be my way. 

I know I can do it, I’ve got to remain positive. I’ve set myself the following goals: 

STOP NOW

Work hard

Spend more time, do more

Don’t obsess, value and appreciate things, don’t set financial targets.

If I set financial targets, I know I’ll become obsessed to make more of it and be vulnerable to gambling again. 

I appreciate the amazing support Gamcare provides, and how well so many others have done to achieve their goals. 

I’ll aim to add to my journal weekly, initially and hopefully provide another success story. The long journey ahead begins now. 

 

 
Posted : 14th January 2026 4:05 pm
 stuart
(@lp5vut869c)
Posts: 1389
 

Good luck and it sounds like you are determined. The opposite of addiction is connection. I know you have said you don't want to open up but please try and come to the 8pm chatrooms one night. It will help you so much and there are some people in there always that are long term gamble free and can give you some really good advice

 

Stuart

 
Posted : 14th January 2026 7:08 pm
 Marc45
(@i0pql9fcd3)
Posts: 2
 

I've just done exactly the same after speaking to Tracey via phone who was brilliant 

 

I'm no longer prepared to throw my money away and ready for the help and support i get 

 
Posted : 14th January 2026 8:01 pm
DJNuGGeT
 DJNuGGeT
(@9fo6zh2br4)
Posts: 15
 

Two things I learned coming here

 

1. You are not alone, no matter how bad or strange your experiences and how isolated you think they make you feel you will find people and stories here that make you see you were never alone.

 

2. "Just for today I wont gamble..." - over the years ive set goals and expectations for myself and failed so much untill I saw the above line quoted right here

 

Im now over 900 days of "just for today" its honestly a game changer.

 

I wish you all the best, stay strong 💪 

 

 
Posted : 14th January 2026 9:33 pm
 MSMamma
(@ao7lmyjzwi)
Posts: 1
 

Good luck, today is day 1 for me.

 

after not having to take out an IVA I don’t have a choice anymore, it HAS to stop! 

 
Posted : 15th January 2026 2:24 pm
 TiredAddict
(@ekmfhb5cda)
Posts: 19
 

Good luck with your recovery. I'm also on day one after the umpteenth relapse and am fed up with feeling awful. 

It may be worth setting small goals to distract you from gambling ie. going to the gym a certain number of times per month, or reading one book per week. 

Keep at it, you're not alone in this and things will get better with determination and willpower.

 
Posted : 15th January 2026 5:54 pm
 stuart
(@lp5vut869c)
Posts: 1389
 

Hi Waiting

How are you getting on ? 

 
Posted : 2nd March 2026 1:01 am
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