Dilemma

Hi Russ, just read your first 5 pages of your diary and a few in the middle! That Las Vegas story is excellent. Reading your diary made me think how similar my story is to yours.

I too used to go a month without gambling, mainly on cricket, football, golf then binge a bit, a lot more then stop for a few weeks then start again. I too am an opening batsman!

I gave up 36 days ago for good this time, no bets of any kind. Feels amazing at the moment and stressfree. Makes me look fwd to the rest of my life now rather then the contant worries of gambling. Anyway loved your story, ill read more of it when i get more time, but well done......

BT

As always a great positive post russ...may i be a wee bit early in congratulating you on a years bet free...my last post to you said never a doubt ? Well t be honest that was a wee lie because after saying you were off to vegas i thought no chance BUT you went there bet free and had day at races ALSO bet free and THAT inspired me to tackle them gambling demons head on and still enjoy the social aspect that so many millions enjoy...for that i thank you my friend evanru/russ...stand up my friend and take a bow...congratulations mate heres to many more happy and bet free years...WE CAN DO THIS 😉

Thank you biff and wp....very kind comments and very very much appreciated. The one year will actually be on Thursday at about 4pmish. That was the moment my wife walked into my office whilst I was mid binge.

I found today one of the hardest days this last year. I was never ever going to place a bet.....not even close, but my mind started to wonder and I had thoughts that have not been around for a long time. I used to love cheltenham. It's been difficult to get away from it today. I was in my car and I usual listen to five live....yet they were giving full coverage. I dismissed it and bought adeles new album (which is excellent), I listened to that on my way to Glasgow. I get into my room and turn on the tv.....you guessed it, channel 4 is on! I quickly turn over.

It's my own fault that I can't enjoy the festival and it's something I just have to live with. Anyway I'm looking forward to Thursday. I'm going to buy a mini bottle of champagne.....not a big one. I just want to have a very low key celebration, knowing that I still have many years ahead of me!

Russ

Hi Russ.. Just wanted to thank you for your support.

Although I have never been a horses gambler I can see that alot of horses gamblers struggle at this time of year. I know a few folk who are taking time off work to go to the festival... they are not Cg's of course (though maybe they are!).

Well done for continuing to stay focussed and congratulations on your year. I hope you enjoy that little bottle of champers. Regards.. S.A 🙂

Hi Russ.

Big day for you today mate and i wanted to pop by and congratulate you on your 1st year as an ex-gambler. You deserve a huge pat on the back for recognising the mess that you were in and for showing real determination and courage in tacking your demons. The support you have offered to others whilst doing this is second to none and you have played a huge part in helping others along with their recovery so thanks for that.

You asked about the courses i played in Scotland. Well on day one we played the Balcomie links at Crail which was absolutely superb. The 5th hole will long live in the memory.

On Monday we played the New Course at St Andrews which is a little bland to tell the truth. This is the 3rd time i have played it and i can only vividly remember one hole which probably says a lot.

Tuesday was the big one on the Old Course. Unfortunately it rained all day but we were not going to let that ruin our fun. I shot 79 myself which included eleven 3 putts and an eagle at 14 so something of a mixed day! If i could play one course every day for the rest of my life it would be the Old Course at St Andrews.

Yesterday we played the Jubilee Course at St Andrews which is a cracker and for the first time in the week the Sun came out! Unfortunately after 4 days on the 'pop' i could only stutter to 29 points.

Enjoy your day mate!

Thanks SA and Curly.

Well it's one year ago today that I finally decided to stop gambling. I've learn't so much over this last year about myself. Many posters on here have helped me along the way....Curly, Winning Post, Brian, Seano, Jeff, SA, Pauls, Beezer, Hatch, T&G, Easy Life, London Bloke (I hope you are alright) and many more. From reading these pages I have educated myself about this addiction. This education has come from fellow posters and I thank everybody for this.

How have I stopped? I gave myself the biggest test that any compulsive gambler could face....I decided not to gamble in Vegas. Having done this successfully it meant that I had a huge mental barrier in place. Secondly I used visualisation.....I trained my brain into remembering all the loses and pain that gambling has caused me. I had a huge emotional barrier in place.....if I gamble again I would lose my wife and gorgeous three children. Lastly, I've read and read and read some more. I call it my daily thought medicine.

What's different now? My relationship with my wife is miles better. I'm no longer a selfish individual....I have more time for my children....I'm more relaxed and less stressed.....I'm an open book.....I'm an honest trustworthy individual.....I'm fitter and more healthy as a result.

Do I miss it? In the early stages I used to be angry with myself that I had taken away something I enjoyed so much. After around 6 months these thoughts left me. This weak has been hard but I put it down to habit.....I used to always enjoy the festival, but in a few years this will change.

Where do I go from here? The next target is to go through 2011 gamble free. Following this I will just target each year as it comes. I will continue to offer support where I can and I will update this diary.

Life is good....in fact it's never been better. I've just remembered that I missed GT off the list before...thank you!

Take care all

Russ

Russ,

As you know,i rarely post on here these days,however i just wanted to say well done on reaching the one year bet free milestone,i'm chuffed for you and your family:).

Seano.

Hi Russ

Just popping in to say a huge congrats on your year gamble free, great work mate.

Inspiring for all of us!

All the best, ands

Way to go mate, well done!

GT

yes sometimes it can be a struggle russ especially this week but if we didnt dangle the carrot in front of the donkey then it couldnt eat it (excuse the pun)...keeping busy was key,avoiding papers and tv talk and ive been at work and watching all the highlights,im 100 % certain youve done the same...again well done on your year bet free...we can do this 🙂

Superb, Good on you, a years no gambling!!! Great to read things going so well with yourself and family.

Its the way forward being able to put the important things 1st rather than some hipnotised binging stupor!

Anyway Russ im still going free and hot on your trail, working hard and starting to see some light! Enough was enough, now to start living..........

Take care and all the very best

Russ,

Fantastic news on your 1 year gamble free. Even better than that, you seem to have done more than not gambling, you are living life and making changes.

Best wishes to you and your family.

Brian

Thank you for the posts, they mean a lot to me. My wife and I didn't actually celebrate until the Saturday night. It was an extremely low key affair. She bought us a bottle of Prosecco.....with a view to upgrading the quality after each year! I thought this was a nice touch.....maybe some moet in three years time. I also like the time of the anniversary.....as it's always going to be the Thursday of the festival. This makes it easy to remember in future years. I'll keep plodding along in 2011....next hurdles are the masters and grand national.....it's my own fault that I can't have a little fun bet on them. Russ

all i can say russ1 is only take enough money to vegas to cover the essentials of accomodation, food and drink that way you wont havr the money to gamble at the tables

Hi Russ.

The Masters and the National. They are the two next big obstacles on my radar as well. I've had a long term fancy for the Masters this year (NW) but his odds have been cut considerably due to his recent form. I'm happy with that as he no longer represents value thus removing any temptation to bet!

As for the National i have got the first big comp of the year at the golf club that day so i think a tee time around 1pm will be in order!

I hope your game picks up soon mate as you need to be lower than me by the end of the season to win our little challenge!

Keep up the good work pal.