Yet again another new start but this time it's for good!
The addiction has gone on too long and many relapses impacting on my depression.
All blocks and self exclusions have been put in place and I'm going to plan out each day so that all my time has been filled to avoid any urges.
I will keep updating this and any support is appreciated as this disease is the worst and no one can compare until they've experienced it.
I've been off work for three weeks now and worry that my job is at risk, I've obtained sick notes from my GP but I still worry that I could get sacked even though I'm off work with good reason.
Good luck
I think your honesty is admirable. Have you ever thought about the One Day at a Time approach? Makes it realistic and achievable - i.e. I won't gamble just for today instead of an (also admirable) long-term goal which many compulsive gamblers have said?
Best wishes, Phil.
Thanks for the reply Phil and I appreciate the support.
Day 2 and actually feel more alive compared to yesterday, I've now installed blocking software on my mobile phone - gamban which only costs around £10 for a year which is brilliant. I now have blocks in place on all devices and looking forward to counseling on Tuesday.
I've decided to try and plan out each day of the week so that any spare time is filled with things to do so that I'm kept busy.
Hope that tomorrow is another good day and it can only get better.
Totally forgot to post on here yesterday as went out all day to help take my mind off things. Went for some lunch with my girlfriend and then went to buy a new laptop each which was needed as my last one was ridiculously slow. It was reduced from £599.99 to £329.99 which is good.
​Day 4 gamble free now and having had my first counceling session this morning I feel positive as I know that I'm doing all that I can to help myself stay gamble free. I find that the Gamblock software on my phone along with K9 protection on both laptops is helping as it's not possible to even look at anything gambling related.
​Believe it or not my antivirus actually said that K9 protection is a virus - Does anyone know if this is true? It was a free trial of Mcafee that said it was a virus.
​Looking forward to reaching my first week gamble free as this is the first milestone. I've decided to set aside some money each month so that I can treat myself as a reward.
Onwards and Upwards.
Well done, keeping yourself busy is a good tactic!
Day 5 gamble free, another dream last night of going into a betting shop and placing a bet. Hopefully these dreams will stop as it's bloody annoying!
​All positive things today though, I've filled in my calendar for the next week so that everything is planned out. For example tomorrow day I'll be cleaning and tidying up, Friday I'll be going shopping and having a chinese with my girlfriend in the night. Saturday I'm going to go for a coffee and a walk and then Sunday Cardiff City v Man City. I've had a season ticket for years and find that it's a good hobby as it gets me out of the house for a few hours.
​I also created a savings spreadsheet today so that I can plan out of spending with my income and whatever spare money I have I'll then use to treat myself. Currently saving for a house with my girlfriend so saving as much as possible as we're hoping to get one by the end of this year.
​I'm also going to look into creating my own webpage or blog about football as I find this will keep me occupied and take up some of my time so that I'm not bored and don't get thoughts of gambling as much.
Hello Jayden. Wishing you well on your gamble free journey.
You accept you are a compulsive gambler, you have put blocks in place and you have a genuine desire to stop gambling. In the past you have succeeded in not gambling for over a year which takes a lot of courage and commitment.
It is good to be in love, to find peace and to enjoy happiness. Compulsive gambling deprives us of all that ...stephen
Hi Stephen, thanks for the reply and support.
​Kept myself so busy yesterday that I didn't even have time to pop on here. Anyway, I'm now at day 7 gamble free and feeling a bit rubbish today but battling on as best as I can. I only managed to sleep until 4am last night which I'm unsure why.
​Today I put a few items up for sale on Ebay, went food shopping, got a coffee and then took the dog for a walk. Trying to keep myself as busy as possible. Tomorrow I'm probably going to go and grab a coffee and maybe go for a walk if it's not raining again.
​Also had a call today to book in my next counselling session for next week which I'm looking forward to.
​All the best.
Day 8 GF.
​Went for a hot chocolate today with my girlfriend and then had a walk to get some fresh air which I found really nice.
​Looking forward to tomorrow as it's Cardiff City v Manchester City - I have a funny feeling we're going to cause an upset just like when we were in the premer league and we won 3-2!
Onwards and upwards!
Day 10 GF - Busy yesterday as went food shopping and then went to the Cardiff City match.
Hope everyone is progressing well.
Day 11 gamble free! Going well just need to keep it up.
Day 13 gamble free. Forgot to post yesterday but had another successful day keeping busy.
well done Jayden, nice and steady you are making it happen and you are stronger than you thought
Wilsy
Thanks. Day 14 gamble free!
Day 15 gamble free. A good day as Wales hammered Scotland in the rugby and then Cardiff City hammered Leeds in the football!
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