Easy does it!

Just finished work and checking in to say no gambling urges at all. I guess when I'm busy I don't wander in my mind. I'm sure this is why it is known as a mental illness. I understnd how gambling has affected me in the past and yet I still think about it. In a safer place of late but still on my metal. Take care if you are new here and give yourself a chance to get a grip of recovery.

Hi Smiler

I have really really enjoyed your posts on your diary. Full of really good advice. I am the sort of person that when I want something I want it NOW!!! I am realising that I need to give my husband time to recover. And hopefully if he is doing the right things I maybe able to find some patience.

x

Thanks for posting. I have just had a splurge on other people's diaries and enjoy writing. I am in no way a guru on this subject, just had years and years of addiction to understand a little about the subject. In fact I know no other life and have always been embroiled in addiction. The last six months is the first time I have been free and it feels better day by day. I am in no rush to recover fully as this is never achieved, I just grow stronger on a daily basis. I really hope I am not reading people's posts about losing Xmas wages this year as it hurts me. If you are flicking through and read this and contemplate gambling to win extra cash, my advice is DON'T BOTHER. It is only borrowed when we win. Look after your hard earned cash. Take care

Don't keep diary up to speed lately but still reading and supporting as and when required. Maybe I need to force myself to post more but I feel I am in a good space right now and just need to maintain where I'm at. Got a busy weekend as going to football and hospitality at that. I was thinking about it today watching and enjoying a football match for the game and company rather than just watching the time and hoping and wishing this and that happens.

Had a great weekend with hospitality at a big football match. As we sat down there it was a big red envelope type thing with a wel known brand across it. I picked it up out of interest and thought does this really count if I bet here. I placed the thing on the table and struggled for a time as a few people placed bets as the guy came round to collect. I resisted temptation and boy do I feel better for not giving in. It would have started me off on a mad road. Today I am still calm and under control. Very tired though!!Take care

Well, maybe in the grand scheme of things it wouldn't have counted, but the fact is you didn't do it so your character is still 100% intact and it is a reflection of your resolute state of mind.

well done!!

Hey Smiler, well done for resisting! Everytime you resist those urges you get so much stronger. Hope I can take a leaf from your book and be as determined. Take care x

Thanks guys

It was a strange situation to expect gambling to appear. When I got back I told my wife and she asked me if I gambled. I guess she was expecting me to say yes. The reason she expected me to say yes was when we used to visit my family my father would go to bookies and I would go with him. I would gamble as it was the done thing and neither of us would say anything about it. Truth is this time I want to remain stopped so I choose not to gamble. It is different when you do it for yourself. Take care

This is a very emotive time of the year and I feel gamblers and their respective families feel it more so for one reason or another. I wish all those that are struggling right now can find a safe place in thier minds to rest up over the holidays. It will pass hopefully with good joy. It is a time of year for reflection too and I feel I havemade a great beakthrough this year. I have an alive feeling that I haven't experienced since I was a child. I never thought I would break free of addiction but i am beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Take care everyone

Ah Smiler,

🙂 great to read that last post of yours. you sound to be gaining in confidence and to be in a good place.

Take care,

f x

Working hard at moment and not alot of time to concentrate on recovery. Have to be careful though as recovery is integral to my life. Without recovery I have no life. Not struggling at present and just enjoying life. Looking forward to Xmas and opening my little one's presents that I bought myself, Can't wait to build a domino shuttle! Time is flying by so quickly so I have to make the most of the precious time I have before my nipper growsup. Hope everyone is in a good space and staying away from the demons lurking in the background. I am in a great space and hope everyone reading this joins me! Take care

Ticking along nicely thanks. Really no time for gambling to enter my life. Keeping vigilante though as I know I have had this feeling before. I really don't want to gamble again and on a daily basis I can manage this. If you are here for the first time or have been trying to *** it for a while, please keep trying and keep coming back to this forum. If it is worth having then you have to work for it. Recovery is definately worth having. It is freedom from the shackles of gambling. Take care

Two hours this afternoon waiting in line at a well known garden centre to see santa with my little one. Frozen to the bone but worth it. No gambling demons around and no thoughts either good or bad until I thought to log on here. Glad to read such good news from most people. For those who are struggling keep in there it does get better. Take care

Funny, I went to see Santa with my little one yesterday.

Must be something to do with the time of year.

Thanks Ade

Hope you're going well in your recovery. I have got to the stage where I feel no need to post as much!! I read the diary everyday though. What I'm worried about is that i've been here before and lost my way when I stoped posting. I am keeping my eye on the ball this time round. I would like to post more but very busy with work. It is a catch 22 as I want to break away from gambling per se but this site helps me so much but reminds me of gambling. Confusing I know and it is working for now. I'm not complaining just thinking out loud. Soon be Xmas so let's hope everyone keeps there money in their pockets rather than download it into play time into the loony machines we found false comfort and hope in. Take care