Dilemma

Hi mate, you are doing great and its good to hear things on the home front are looking up too.

Keep up the good work

Take Care Blues

hey Russ,

Glad to hear that things are more positive with your partner, and you are keeping well and busy. Thank you for your continued support and your strength and enthusiasm continues to shine through. Will have to txt some of my friends to let them kno i am still alive.

ALIVE IN A WORLD WITHOUT GAMBLING!!

big respect,

Beezer

thanks for the post russ/evanru whatever you call yourself these days lol.....had a wee chuckle at one of your posts on another thread stating you wanted to test yourself by going to the toilet in the bookies.....when youve gotta go youve gotta go mate but be careful most of them are locked these days and if your self excluded they (behind the counter) may not give you the key leaving you caught short it could be halfway doon your legs 😀 best wishes we can do this 😉

Thanks again for all the posts. Another glorious day today. I'm out on the road up to Newcastle today. I watched a program on the forgotten children of zimbabwe last night. It made me feel so selfish and spoilt to be sitting here with the life I have when these poor children were barely eating and suffering. When I think of all the money I've wasted over the years. It makes me feel sick. It only cost 30 dollars to educate a child for a year.....I would happily do more than that on one race. I hope you all have a gamble free day. Russ

Thanks for the post russ....i can assure you its even worse when you ve suddenly got a dodgy stomach on a train lol....anyways enough of that im impressed with your reasons for changing name....any reminders of gambling happily flushed away...good man ..as for your post on another diary,i agree with you 100% what would happen should we give the diaries a break? im too scared to even give it a try fearful of the consequences mate.,stay positive we can do this 😉

Thanks for the message Russ,i will still be around,and rest assured if i feel that i'm "regressing" in anyway i'll be back on a very regular basis.

Seano.

You're so right with other people being so much worse off than us. I watched a programme tonight which showed a dedicated gentleman who spent all of his time looking after his wife who has Alzheimers before knowing how much he could claim on allowances. What an inspiration and when we are all low, we must remember that we still have our good health and in many cases, children and partners.

Live life to the full and be very grateful for what you have!

October (52 days to go)

Hi Russ,

Like the name change - another reminder that the days of gambling are in the dark & distant past.

Using a bookies loo - now that is a test! BUT you came thru it and should feel stronger for doing so - keep it going mate.

All the best

Hatch

Thanks, seano, wp, October and hatch, appreciate your posts. After my trip to Newcastle I thought I would make the drive over to my parents in cumbria to see them. They know I'm a gambler but they don't know the seriousness of my problem. Gambling came up in conversation as we were discussing the us open and I mentioned that I thought Murray would win it. They asked me if I had put money on it. It made me feel really really uncomfortable. I guess this is a good thing, but I'm pleased that I have been able to keep my mum and dad out of my addiction. They brought me up really well and my addiction is certainly nothing to do with them. Anyway, another gamble free day. Russ

Hi Russ

Cheers fro the post. Got into the routine of GA and counselling and feeling that for me its really working.

Not the same for everyone but I do think they both help in different ways.

Counselling gets you talking about lots of different things and has made me realise a few things. GA allows me to talk openly with others and to listen to how varried peoples additctions are.

Initially I knew I had to stop, but then after reading peoples diaries and hearing stories I thought maybe I'm ok. i'm not as bad as them. But I am, just because I havent hit total rock bottom, ie losing job/ wife/ or in debt, thats not to say I wouldnt in time.

Keep going.

"I CANNOT WIN BECAUSE I CANNOT STOP" - stumper

Dave

Russ...it may not be your parents problem,(i thought exactly the same) but since telling them of my addiction they are very proud of my achievement thus far even though my dad still likes a wee punt himself...best wishes mate.,we can do this 😉

Russ,

Have a good weekend mate - you're sounding ultra positive and strong at the moment - keep it going.

All the best

Hatch

Hi Russ,

So pleased to hear that you are feeling very positive at the moment and that life is going really well for you.

About telling your parents the full story, imagine if your son or daughter was in the same position as you. Would you like to know as a caring and loving parent?

It was an incredibly difficult thing to do, but telling my parents the full story was probably the best thing that I had ever done. I then told the rest of my immediate family afterwards and they have been wonderful since. I have told them briefly about me coming on here as a help towards my long recovery journey but I have not gone as far as showing them my posts or my diary.

But I probably will one day when the time is right.

We are all different and you may still wish to not tell your parents the full story - I am just sharing how I dealt with this difficult situation.

Have a lovely weekend and get busy living!

October (49 days to go)

Hi Russ,

Thanks for your post on my diary. I totally respect whatever you choose to do but just wanted to add one more thing.

They also thought that I was the perfect son. And I like to think that they still do!!

October (49 days to go)

Hey Russ,

Thank you for your continued posts and your words still keep me strong in the daily battle and path we face together.

It seems every time i log on I get responses from the same wonderful people.

To a absolute inspiration for me and others I send you a virtual weekend beer to celebrate your achievements!!!

Keep busy living bud