First day to end this addiction

Hi Sharon

Start believing in yourself a little more. You are fast becoming a little pillar of support for people on here and it is no surprise to me that your friend came to you "in real life" when she needed someone.

Stay strong and your doing great. What's gone is gone but what is in front of you can only be good without the gamble.

Matt

Thanks Matt, I know I need to be kinder to myself but after 16 years of putting someone else first (and quite rightly so) and mentally beating mysrlf up over gambling it's a struggle! I am trying more than ever though as I know it'S part of recovery. Thanks again S:)

Hi sharon, just thought I'd stop by to say you're doing really well.
Your story sounds very similar to mine. Similar age, length of time gambling etc.
I know I'm not telling you anything you don't already know when I say,It's not easy and we can all feel the need to beat ourselves up about the money and time lost due to gambling but even when we do, nothing changes. The past is the past, no amount of regret can change it but we can look at changing the path of our future. Positive changes made now will make a difference to our lives.
Using the past to learn from is far more beneficial.
Feel proud of yourself. You have helped countless people on here and staying gamble free will allow you to carry on the good work which I am sure brings it's own rewards for you. Stay strong, remember, you deserve better!!!
lml x

Hi Sharon. Just thought I'd say hi. Having read through your diary you strike me as a determined person ready to leave the past in the past, which I know isn't easy at all. But long term it's worth it!

You've read enough posts to realise that it's not all 'plain sailing'. However hard or difficult our lives may seem - there's always a way forward, and don't forget - there is inevitably someone else in an even worse position!

All the best. I'm sure you can leave the gambling behind you - just where it belongs!

Gambling is for mugs! Let's not be mugs anymore. You're doing a cracking job so far, keep positive and keep going ODAAT.

Go to the bottom of recovery diaries and press ' new topic '

Hi Sharon . Many thanks for your enlightened post on my diary ; " to be able to enjoy ' normal ' situations without gambling looming in your mind " . I liked that .

Only just realised that I didn't once think about gambling when out with my friend , that is excellent . When I had my gambling head on it sort of took over my life .

Changed the dressing on my poorly arm today , should heal up soon ( thankyou for asking ) .

Wondering what your new thread will be called ? ? Don't keep us in suspenders for too long ! !

Haha....just toying with starting a new thread 🙂

After a really up and down time lately just want say thanks to all the supportive lovelies here and will just leave this here. 'Remember how far you've come, not how far you have to go' S x

Thanks for that Sharon , wishing you a good GF weekend . Like your advice " Remember how far you've come , not how far you have to go " . I will bear that in mind when i'm beating myself up ! Got to give ourselves some slack , we are battling a monstrous addiction and it takes a lot out of us .

I'm really sad when friends are struggling but it's heartwarming to see friends who are a long time into their recovery and remaining gamble free . It reminds me it can be done .

Had counselling this afternoon and went to G A tonight . Maybe i'm overdosed on therapy ! My brain is frazzled .

So pleased you are doing so well . The support of friends like yourself has kept me going when I might otherwise have given in .

I think this time with my GamCare friends I have a real chance of overcoming my urges to gamble ....stephen. x

As always thanks for being there along my journey, as you say this awful addiction takes us to the depths of despair. It really pains me to know of others here struggling and suffering. I only hope they can pull through and find inner happiness and recovery, I was thinking earlier that when I was caught in the ganbling cycle I existed, I wasn't living my life, But I can only see that now. So stay GF and have a peaceful weekend S:)

Keep going Sharon!!! You are doing amazing x

I hope to one day be where you are.

Thanks WAI, I take this as a huge compliment. This journey has been my saviour as if I hadn't stopped gambling I think I might have gone over the edge mentally. Gambling had made me selfish, secretive and isolated. I feel I'm gradually becoming the 'real' Sharon again. I hope you find the strength and inner drive to get through this, you know that everyone here is with you every step of the way, take care my friend S x

Thank you and the words you say bring tears to my eyes: "This journey has been my saviour as if I hadn't stopped gambling I think I might have gone over the edge mentally. Gambling had made me selfish, secretive and isolated. I feel I'm gradually becoming the 'real' Sharon again".

Enjoy your mini break, you deserve it 🙂 x

Sending every ounce of positivity your way WAI, cut yourself some slack, have some reflection then you'll be ready to come out fighting and we'll all be there to cheer you on. Thank you I'm looking forward to a few days away with my daughter to have a peaceful time. Take care hugs S:)