Determined

Hi Greg, just wanted to welcome you to the forum and I look forward to reading your story when your ready .

Best wishes ...........Alan

Good work starting up a diary Greg! Best wishes.

Thanks chubb
Thanks alan
Day 2 today feeling much better, set up some direct debits today and ordered a new card from the bank which will go straight to my mother without opening the envelope it comes in that way I don't know any numbers for online betting, total abstinence is the only way that will work for me none of this small bet on a Saturday, onwards and upwards
Greg

Day 3 today still feeling determined, got made redundant 1 month ago and what little is left of my pay off after a month spent in a gambling haze has been handed over to my brother leaving me just enough for each day, I did a lot of self excluding yesterday so the barriers are in place, onwards and upwards, Greg

Day 4 today not had any urges really but that's due mainly to financial circumstances so need to watch for complacency, best wishes everyone

Day 5 taking my little lad out for the day so not gambling is taken care of for today at least, one day at a time

Day 6 today
Had a great day with my little yesterday, planning a bike ride today if the weather holds up, alls good
Greg

Day 7, feeling good about the first gamble free week in a long time, tried to get a bet on last night after a few drinks but luckily couldn't because of all the restrictions I put in place last week but still something I need to learn from, Greg

Hi Greg

One week, well done. The gamble free days soon mount up and it does get a lot easier, I don't even think about gambling anymore - why should I.

I don't know about your gambling habits but what really helped me (probably saved me) in the early days was self exclusion, I went to the bookies with my photograph, filled a firm which took 5 mins and I was all done. The good thing is if you go to one Bet Fred branch they will exclude you from all the ones in the area, as will c****s, l*******s, w**********l etc.

Self exclusion was great for me as it took the edge off my urges, I knew no matter how bad I wanted to put that £20 note in, hear the sound of it going in and start placing £1 chips on numbers - I had to drive 40 miles away.

Keep posting Greg, you will get there.

Paul

Day 8 still feeling positive, thanks for the comment Paul, I've done the self exclusion in all the bookies in my town so that's in my head now, it has taken an edge off the urges, similar to you 8 days ago I went out with £30 pound and soon had several hundred pound in my pocket but had to walk home at the end of the day because I had no bus fare, it made me realise I can't win because I can't stop, onwards and upwards

Day 9
Day to myself today which previously meant only one thing a day in the bookies even if I had rent to pay or the kids needed shoes kidding myself I could make a life changing amount of money always putting myself into deeper trouble, starting to feel better now, onwards and upwards

Day 10
Another morning waking up without that sinking feeling connected with losses from the day before, driving lesson this morning then my first gamcare councelling session this afternoon, alls well

Hi Gregg , Good luck with the councilling today , those feelings you wake with just keep getting better buddy , keep doing what your doing and keep that day count going upwards !

Best wishes for a good one !

Alan

Day 11
Had my first councelling session yesterday which was excellent I recommend that to anyone it's given me genuine optimism for the future but for now I'm gonna take each day as it comes and stay alert for triggers, have a good bank holiday everyone
Onwards and upwards
Greg