Day 57 and I’m out of my comfort zone! I’m on the first day of my holiday and there are so many gambling opportunities here! However hard they may try to lure me in I remain strong and will keep my focus and keep dealing with this one day at a time. So all you bookmakers can go bleed some other sucker dry as you’re not getting a penny off me this week!
Hi mate, thanks for your post on my thread. You are doing really well also and life is so much better without gambling. I came to the same holiday spot 2 years ago and how things have changed. This time I am fully concentrated on my wife and kids and making sure that every moment is enjoyable for them. 2 years ago my mood would be dictated by how my bets had gone. We will always have that temptation there, but we need to constantly remind ourselves on why we are on this site in the first place, and what this terrible addiction was doing to our lives. Keep going mate and have a great holiday.
Very quick post on the end of day 59 just to say all is good, loads of new bookies round here, but none taking a penny from me. Still feeling strong and still bet free!
Day 60 and all is still going well. Really enjoying the sun and not had any bad thoughts or temptation. Got to keep working hard to ensure this progress and recovery continues.
Quick posts this week as I’m away and have a lack of time to post. But all is still good on day 62. To wake up without the urge to gamble is a good feeling. I know each day brings different challenges but it’s currently going very well indeed.
Day 64, back home from hols and all is still good. Its amazing to think that I have now got through 9 paydays gamble free after a long time struggling to get control over myself. I'm going to try and make some longer and more regular posts now I'm home. But one last short one for today as I had an 8 hour drive and I'm shattered.
I had a graphic dream last night that I can recall in detail. I had started to gamble and gone on a huge winning run, the biggest of my life and I had won life changing money. I was thinking about how I had slipped up but on the otherhand how it had been worthwhile because of my win. I was thinking what I would do with the money and how I would ensure I don't lose it all. Then I woke up........... This is worrying, is this the addiction trying to suck me back in, is this part of my mind trying to get me to go to a bookmakers? Fortunately it was a dream and I can say I'm on day 66 gamble free. My mind clearly is damaged due to over 20 years with a serious gambling addiction and its not going to be easy. But I must fight on one day at a time!
Day 67 and I woke up following another gambling dream, this time I was watching a horse race, I had put a large bet on a forecast and my selections were miles clear in first and second. With one jump to go my horse in second started to slow down and was in danger of getting caught with a bad jump at the last. My horse in second made a big hash of the last and unseated the jockey costing me a large win. Then I woke up! Why have I had these dreams in the last two days?
Anyway onto today, been a good day, not had any temptation to gamble and my finances are in a good place. I'm back in work tomorrow for a block of five 12 hour shifts which will be a killer but will also keep me out of trouble. Off to the football tonight, will be my first game of the season and hopefully won't go into extra time as I'm up at 5.30am tomorrow.
Day 69 is a busy one in work. My mind is clear of any gambling thoughts and I have my GA meeting tonight. Tomorrow will be ten pay days free of gambling, a huge achievement for me. I have got to crack on and day by day the numbers really are adding up and my life is improving in a lot of areas!
Day 70, ten weeks without the madness that gambling was bringing to my life. I know I'm only one bet away from mayhem again so I need to remain strong and continue working on myself one day at a time. Today feels good, another milestone and another day not having to fight any urges. Life is so much more full and so much more positive!
Early hours of day 72 finds me working a night shift. Not so long ago I was a crazed loser gambler putting as many bets on as possible to supposedly get me through the night. The nights I’ve had stressing out waiting for a late winner or hoping a late goal doesn’t cost my bet. None of this brought me any joy, at best relief for the odd times I broke even. Work is so much easier since I joined Gamstop, I’m able to do my job with a clear mind. I’m also not constantly stressing over money, I’ve money in the bank, I’ve not got to keep secrets from anyone! Life is just so much better gamble free, got to keep embracing this and reminded myself where that first bet will lead.
brilliant work mate, 73 days under your belt and just by your posts it is clear you are in a fantastic place compared to 73 days ago.
The gambling dreams are normal , Ive had plenty and it seems reading on here that it is fairly common. Treat them as what they are which is dreams, its interesting that nobody ever loses in their dreams they just get life changing wins. I'm sure they will pass and you will go back to dreaming about the cheeky girls - (or is that just me ?).
anyway congratulations and keep up the good work , youve taken the power back and life is magic.
Thanks for the post shake! Its early hours of day 74, just done some online shopping a basic purchase but something I would not have made while gambling! I'm trying hard to evolve my relaionship with money, its one aspect of being a compulsive gambler that is an ongoing struggle. I need to learn how to handle money and how to budget, its a work in progress at the moment! On the whole though I have to say things are so much better and I need to keep up the fight.
Day 75 will be spent with my little fella. No thoughts about gambling or wanting to gamble. I went to the match last night and it is so good to just enjoy the game without checking my phone every 2 minutes to see how my football bet is getting on. Going to have a read of some GA literature today as I'm guilty of not doing enough reading. Things are good, taking the daily decision not to place that first bet is a winning decision!
It’s day 77 and I’m still going strong, the days have accumulated quickly and my finances have I noticed quickly. More importantly my mood has settled, I’m less stressed and I’m a better dad. Had a good GA meeting last night, I’m finding it a good help and I look forward to attending and being able to declare I’ve not had a bet since my last meeting. More of the same please, gotta keep making the right choices!
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
