Day One

Day 20- some ridiculous time in the morning! However, feeling proud of myself right now! Day 20!! I absolutely can not wait that for it to 30-40 days! So just checked my account and been paid, for the first time in however many years I've haven't wanted to put a penny online! Usually would be up at 2am ish, putting money on slots trying to double my wage for the month, but we all know that won't happen because if I did I wouldn't stop and would more than likely end up in a massive mess at the end of the month trying to win even more! Reading stories on here is absolutely helping me and making me think more about how gambling is never ever going to make me rich. Even if I won 10k it put it all back in trying to win double, so absolute waste of time! Just wish I'd of realised all this sooner!!! Anyway here's to a month of no gambling on my statement, an emergency fund slowly growing, debts getting smaller and many stress, worry free sleeps! C x

Echo Tri's advice to make use of the support services. They make the difference where people are gf indefinitely.

If you read other stories on the forum, relying on will power whilst having an intact time-money-location triangle usually ends up in a moment of weakness and a single moment of weakness is enough to damage what has been a huge effort so far. Better to focus your strength now on breaking the triangle and getting your salary out of reach before an urge strikes. If you really don't want to ask a close person for help, try an instant saver account, (cash card, only) and have essential outgoings on direct debit and another DD into the instant saver.

Wish you well.

CW

Hi CW, you're right all it takes is one weak moment and huge regret! so I have transferred my money to my best friends account, I have taken so much 'spending money' out and given it to her and she has agreed to give me so much a week, she also has my card and I've only a little bit of money left in my account to cover the bills coming out over next couple of days. I actually do feel better not having the money sat in my account or saver account as it's easy to transfer the money and have access to it. Thank you for your advice, as I probably wouldn't of done this other wise. I told my best friend about my gambling problem a few years ago, but we never really mentioned it again. Cx

Day 21- feeling good, lovely weather! Off shopping for food and essential with my 'spending money' but feeling positive, will hopefully get some bargains 🙂 Have a nice day all C x

Hi Charley,

Great to hear the positive steps that you have taken since you made the decision to try and kick the addiction, and having someone like your friend that you can open up to can play a massive part in your recovery. Only keeping the minimum that you need in your account will help you to avoid the temptation, while it is also worth setting up an account at a building society which you cannot access online easily, to help you build up those savings again.

Thank you very much for your post on my diary, and I hope you are having a good and gamble-free weekend.

Ryan xxx

Thank you Ryan. Defiantly the best thing transferring money, as its actually abit of a relief to know I can't spend it and bills etc will be paid and money won't be wasted on gambling! C x

Day 22- a lovely crisp morning, love this time of year! Excited to be on day 22. A busy day planned. Have a lovely Sunday everyone! C x

Hey Charlie..your right it's a bootifull day...
And isn't it fantastic that we actually notice these things now...
And more importantly that we get pleasure from it....
Your dead right ....don't dwell on the past....
Look forward to your future...it's yours....use it wisely : )
X

Hi guys im new here this is my 2 days free of gambling hopping this will last well longuer , my life change starts here

very nice day up here , i feel good

Paulo1929, h and welcome to the site. First of all, congratulation on day 2 of no gambling. Secondly, this site is fabulous for advice, support and real stories of people, who are also trying to beat this addiction. If you get chance, perhaps try and read some diaries on here. Perhaps start a thread on your diary and you can record your journey day by day. Take things step by step and if you feel low or an urge come on here, there is always someone who will reply to you. Take Care. C x

Thank you Loxxie....you won't believe all the beautiful, simple things I've appreciated today! 🙂 Cx

Day 22 evening- well a busy day, which is always good. Been out in the garden with my nephew, to the park and just had fun...didn't cost a penny! Came back, made lunch, ate in the garden...such a beautiful day! Put washing in, all put away now 🙂 Made my lunch for work tomorrow...no spending money on lunch this week! House cleaned and now just thinking of something delicious to make for tea. Shower later and early night for me, ready for the week ahead! 🙂 I have truly appreciated everything today, from the laughter of my nephew (I know, awful, but my head has been for a longtime a cloud of fog) and even though I have laughed and played with him, if I'm totally truthful I haven't appreciated it as much as I should! But today, I absolutely did! To the smell of freshly cut grass, to the saying morning to the neighbours and actually taking the time to talk to them instead of just a quick hi and bye! All these things I've loved and appreciated today haven't cost me one penny and hasn't brought at thought of gambling to me! I am starting a written diary tomorrow to make sure I do something do one person a day, at least! Because deep down, I know I've been frosty with people, who truly dont deserve it! I've gone through days of just grunting at people (how awful!) now take to make things right and I WILL do something for someone each day. I have good friends, who have confided in me over the years and to be honest I've been a S***e friend! Nothing to be proud of and I am ashamed, thankfully I have great friends and who are still my friends! Time to make things right! Hope everyone has a good Sunday. Cx

Hey Charley,

Thank you for your supportive post ☺.

I am sure i will be ok, as you say - time is what I need. We as CG are not too good with patience huh, but as times passes by everything looks less scary. We also adapt to changes, surroundings, people.

I read you have had an amazing day! WTG dear soldier ! It's amazing to feel at peace with yourself huh..the best thing is - it won't stop coming! Enjoy every moment, keep clarity going, reap the rewards of new found life and most importantly - be kind to yourself ☺..it's starts from within, little smile from you will light up everything around you! Stand bk and admire the view 😉

Stay safe, keep making the right choice. You're worth good feelings as all of us do. We are good people - never forget that!

S x

Hi Charley

Thank you so much for your supportive post. I think unless you are a CG nobody understands the depths that we go to in order to feed our addiction. Like you I started with a few massive wins and gradually it all went downhill, like you too I often think of the waste not just of money but the time and commitment given to gambling that could have been used elsewhere. But the professionals out there advise us to look forward and not back because what's gone is gone and we will never get the money, time and energy back that we spent on gambling.

Keep up the excellent work you are doing in abstaining and supporting.

Best wishes in your recovery and continue to take just one day at a time.

Rosie x