Dilemma

hi russ

good to see you are doing well and dealing with the harder things in life as and when they happen, plus in a positive way!

i read your first post and associate well with binge gambling, i too binge gambled. unfortunately it was everyday!

you seem to be making good steps forward very positively. stick with it and you will get your rewards, we all will 🙂

Thanks for the post russ...i see you were in east lothian last week...did you play "the glen" course or perhaps the open course of muirfield which was just a few short miles up the road...maybe even you stayed at the marine hotel where many of the top golfers stay over for the muirfield open...had a wee chuckle zz top ? Not me mate,i once was mistaken for "trevor" from eastenders but am nae wifebeater tho ,...honest lol...take care mate,we can do this 😉

Hello top chap, as always thanks for the posting on my diary......... Possibly repeating my self but all credit to you with the thoughtfulness of how you're winning (with flying colours) this battle and the constant support shown to others...............

Onwards my friend and all the very very best..........

Glad all is going along well Russ,and it's good that things are back on an even keel with mrs Russ:).

Seano.

Thanks wp, Brian and Paul. I'm up in Aberdeen of all places this evening! I've walked and driven past countless bookies, bingo halls, and casinos today. In the past I would have been tempted to look at the afternoon races, football etc....not today, not ever again. I feel like I've become the person I was mean't to be....the Russ without a gambling addiction. This is a really nice feeling. Everybody always thought I was calm laid back Russ, but this was just a front. Inside I was irritable anxious and often stressed. This has all subsided, I'm so much calmer, relaxed, focused, positive and hopefully a much kinder person. I know I will never be cured, but I'm determined to control it. Thanks for listening. Russ

The weekend is nearly upon us and it's going to be a gamble free one. Golf in the morning at 7.30am then a party with friends in the evening. I had a vivid dream a couple of nights ago. I was in a casino (think it was Vegas) and I was at the table with friends. They were betting huge sums of money and losing every time. I was just watching and not gambling. I felt a real pain for them. The positive point about this dream was that I was on the sidelines. I wasn't getting involved. This hasn't always been the case in my dreams. Russ

Hi Russ,

Thanks for the post mate. All is well on the gambling front, have not even had time to think about gambling due to work.

However, do have a 9.12 tee time booked for tomorrow morning. Slightly later then normal - hoping to get the slightly better conditions - greens without the early morning dew, etc.

How did your golf go mate? Wet? I hope you had your Galvin Green's with you!! lol!

Enjoyed watching the Ryder Cup - couldn't believe it got so close in the end. Actually enjoyed the spectacle for what it is - without having to bite my nails cos I'd punted loads of money on it!!

Keep it going mate - top man!

Hatch

Hi Russ,

I just remember this whenever I get a temptation...

...One bet away from disaster.

Have a great gamble-free weekend.

Getting There

youll be talking with a scottish accent with all that work your doin up there 😉 well done on rounding a few of the "lazier" troops up...i notice youve been 6 months on the diaries now,a very influential one at that and no bet since the festival...good on you russ,we can do this 🙂

Thanks for the post folks. No gambling thoughts. There have been a number of posters who have come back onto the diaries this week. Although it is clearly difficult to come back it shows guts and determination to battle this. There is a part of me that wants to stop this diary and move on. There is another part of me that thinks...what if I stop reading and posting? I know that I will be fine for a few months but what happens when I forget all this. I hope I would be ok, but I'm just not sure. So for the time being I will continue!

Thanks for the post russ...posting regulary whilst helping others i tend to find helps my own recovery...each to their own mate (its sometimes too time consuming and we cant stay forever so i acknowledge where your comin from) but im quite alarmed at all the diaries whove been away and came back as well....best of luck though whatever you decide..your input is valued on here..

Hi russ

Thanks for the post on my diary, know what you mean about leaving the forum... i have left a few times, after a few weeks i then return! Your support and postings would certainly be missed imho, im glad your doing so well in your recovery and i enjoy reading your continued progress.

Our families certainly are going to have a great christmas in the knowledge we are gamble free!!!

Take care mate.. ands

Hi Russ,

Thank-you so much for the post its really appreciated.

I am highly jealous and admire the way you have grabbed this addiction around the neck and can see it for what it really is.

Regarding the diary I guess it has a dumbo affect, you are worried if you stop, it will have a negative effect.

What I will say is that alot of people relapse, sometimes after years because they take their eye of the ball, so if you do stop writing, dont stop visiting to remind yourself that everyday, countless people hit rock bottom.

All the best mate.

Smokey

Russ,

Thanks very much for your continued support.

I'd delighted to see you doing well too. It is great to see the fruits of recovery from gambling. Long many it continue for you, your family and all others on these diaries.

Thanks again,

Brian

Hey Russ.

Thanks for the post mate.

It's great to see you still doing so well. I think you are making the right decision by keeping posting. This site is a really good support medhanism for so many and if you can take strength from it whilst helping others then all is good.

I'm a bit apprehensive about the derby this weekend mate. It would be typical for the red shower to put the high court shenanigans behind them and take 3 points at Goodison. Rumour is Fellaini is out injured and i think missing him, Pienaar, Saha, Jagielka and Rodwell might be a little much. I'll keep my fingers crossed for a narrow win!

You playing winter golf pal? I've got winter league at my place every couple of weeks and i've still got a mixed doubles final to play in. My handicap is stuck at 4.7 for the winter. Will be working on my putting stroke indoors this winter i think!

Enjoy the weekend mate.