day 1...I swear on my own life I will succeed this time

3 weeks without a bet. Not much else to say but enjoying watching the days adding up.

mba wrote: Hi faustus,

I read your story and see many similarities in my life story.
I went from small football accumulator bets to betting hundreds on each bet.
I got loans credit cards and payday loans and my money was just constantly going round in circles with lots dropping off each time into the banks and bookies hands.

My wife never knew the extent of my gambling until I got to that point where I couldn't pay the bills and had to ask for help.
She knew I bet and we had many arguments but I always went back to betting believing she wouldn't Leave me.
When I eventually told her everything she accepted it but I am on my last warning .
I have tried for a few years to quit but always failed and failed twice-whilst on this site.
Only now knowing she knows everything and knowing she would leave and take my daughters has stopped me. I was lucky to get this final chance and yes I'm only 24 days in but I know I will never be betting again and the only reason is because I was at my lowest, it couldn't have got any worse.
You will do it and you need to do it to prove to your family they need u and u need them

faustus wrote: MBA your post has touched me buddy. You're lucky this is just online or I'd hug you like a bear and that'd be quite embarassing i suppose 🙂 Your 24 days that's awsome. Please keep it coming. As the great Frankie Valli says in the Jersey Boys: Family is everything!

Thought id add this response in to show it can help others to help yourself and share your story

Day 27

International football last night, England playing tonight.

I used to love these games believing I could make money from them.

Now I just have a football interest, nothing else.

My daughter is being christened tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to it and guaranteeing my full concentration to the celebration and thinking of nothing else.

I will get through this, all I have to do is believe!

33 days today.

Its amazing how quick the days mount up.

As I've always said, something finally clicked in me and I will not be betting again. I am beating this illness and my life feels much more meaningful because of it.
I still have many debts to pay but knowing my minimum income each month I am managing to pay them back.

Looking forward to Christmas where it will be 100% focus on the people that deserve it, my family.

Mba

Well done mate. Keep it going. You and your family deserve it.

Hi mba,

Once we are in control of our debts and can live on what we pay out, it makes us stronger, but be aware of that addiction niggling at us because we are in control and have money again.

Well done on 33 days, keep guard up and stay safe.

Suzanne xx

Hey Mba

Long time no see mate. How are things? Glad too see your still around. Well done on going a month gamble free. Just been reading your messages on your loan repayments. Been there many times shamefully lol. Good to see you have a plan. The loan repayments will go quicker than think. Keep yourself busy & live within your means for the time being. Just got to think of it as a valuable lesson in life, your now stronger because you know what your weaknesses are. Keep in touch, all the best.

Matt

Hi mba,

Really pleased to read that you are abstaining from gambling - you've done really well to get past that first month. Keep going and focused on enjoying Christmas. As I'm sure you know, gambling and Christmas is not a good mix. A few years ago I sat watching a live stream of a Belgian football match on Boxing Day night, throwing lots of money (and losing) on the in-play markets. Then I think I went and chased on roulette. That sticks in my mind because it was such a pathetic thing to do when I could have been having a nice time with my family and friends.

Day 35

I have to mention this but me tipping fleur to win x factor at 33/1 and her now being 6/4 favourite is really bugging me.

In a way id like to bet on her as she will win but I cannot risk going back to how I was and ruining my and my families lives.

I'll just carry on watching it and cheering her on every week. Maybe this will prove my strength over my addiction.

Thanks for your words everyone. I really am looking forward to Christmas and am thinking of getting rid of my mobile for the festibe period as the only people who need me will be with me.

Mba

Also I seem have this urge to always be doing something productive with the family like at weekends and evenings yet I don't have the energy. ..anyone else experienced something like this?

Hi Mba,

35 days is great going.

I think that abstaining does take it out of us more than we realise even when we have no thoughts about it, you are doing great keep going and keep winning.

Suzanne xx

What happens if you win at 33/1? You win a few more. 'Yeah yeah I can win all my money back, this is easy' MBA next post 'day 1 - starting again' just saying

Too true matt.

Day 35 nearly complete 🙂

getting near the 40 mark

Today we are off to the victorian Christmas festival at Portsmouth historic dockyard.
I'm looking forward to a very pleasant day with my wife and two girls as our Christmas starts here.
Still going strong with my abstaining and 40 days are now complete.
Mba