Focus on the future, because in the future you haven't gambled

RST

fella this may come across a bit harsh but I see the fact that you cannot access more funds as a result for you

Why??

because if you had more funds at your disposal would they be used to facilitate debt or fund more gambling??

My guess is they would be used to chase the losses.

Addiction,the compulsion we share will tell you/me it will be different next time around,that the losses will be recouped and the winning will begin

We both know that is a pipe dream,the lie our addiction has spun our brain

My advice,live within your means,if that means you eat beans for 60 days to fund the holiday so be it.

The key to recovery for me today is life has an end game,the result of prolonged abstinence is we can plan,budget and see the results.

If you choose to listen to the gambler the end game never comes,the losses do.

I hope you find the resolve to again arrest the punt

Abstain and maintain

Duncs stepping forward never back

So I'm back. Clean for 1 day after having a bit of a blow out the past week, need to get things out of my system. No more cash damage luckily and will get through to next payday ok with no extra loans so have calmed down now.

Dunc thanks for the harsh words, I needed them and looking at it I am still slowly paying off my debts and in a much better place than at the start of 2014. In 2014 I have lost 1,500 to gambling (putting this in perspective in Nov 2013 I lost this amount in one morning).

So I have this website, mr brightside, you and others to thank as I was in a bad way at the end of 2013. Yes so im still not in a great place but I think I am learning from my odd relapses. 48 days until my holiday, not long and I should be able to fund it even if paying off a little bit after as well.

I expect a relapse at sometime before 2015 hence why I have dropped out of the 2014 challenge but each time the losses are less and I look at things in a totally different light. Clean by 2105 my new moto.

3 days down, 46 to go. Out for a game of rounders after work tomorrow. Sort of a team building thing but just glad I'm kept preoccupied. So easy on a night with no plans to book aside time for focusing on gambling (as if by studying the games I bet on will help my success rate which I know is a lie).

Have a few days off in a couple of weeks so need to make a long list of things I can get done.

rst18 - good to see you posting again fella and really glad you're back on the challenge.

One small challenge to you personally - "I expect a relapse sometime before 2015" - really? Go into this pre-holiday phase believing what you've written and you will lapse.......your words are already pre-positioning it and almost "allowing" yourself it. Truly believe that you won't........go into the next phase of recovery believing that this is it this time........so the small personal challenge.........

On your days off, put yourself at the end of 2014 and begin writing what you see around about you. Write down how the world is going to look - your bank balance, your job, your debt, your holiday plans, your number of clean days, your relationships, the way you feel about yourself.......just paint a really vivid picture in your mind as to how it will be......and write it all down. Keep it somewhere that you can regularly read it and create a roadmap of how you can get there and what you need to do - know the path you will take. You are your own SatNav!!!

Enjoy the rounders tomorrow!!

Take care,

Mr B

Thanks Mr B, your right about looking to the end of 2014 with the number of days free from gambling.

That would be 193 days and at even 10 pounds a day saving would be enough to pay for a couple of luxury holidays away next year. I would have cleared 3000 of my debt. I would hopefully have achieved a pay rise and job upgrade helping me pay off my debts quicker in 2015. I can then live in a much simpler world where I don't feel I have to lie to friends family colleagues.

Relapse will not happen! That is my promise to you and this amazing and supportive community. 4 days down 189 to go then to 365 days in 2015.

Savings in 2015 - 3,650 pounds

Debt paid off in 2015 - 5,000 pounds.

One further thing to add to my list of benefits is my credit score which has been destroyed in the last year. So in case I do need to get a house or a loan for something I actually need there will not be a problem or any embarrassment.

Also my health and sleep patterns will be better alongside my physical appearance and we'll being. Need to get back into running and the gym as have a 10k obstacle course challenge in October.

So a new thing I'm going to do every day, this may become tedious for some but it keeps me challenging myself.

1. Days abstained

2. Days to go until 2015

3. Money saved

4. Debts paid off

5. Money spent on gambling...0 🙂

6 days free of gambling

187 days to go

48 pounds saved (8 pounds a day)

273 paid off, one of 2 debt payments came out today.

0 spent on gambling.

Glastonbury all this weekend some amazing acts but so expensive to go, so feel like I'm saving money and keeping dry by viewing It all from the comfort of home.

Friends going to ibiza in 3 weeks time would love to go even for a couple of nights. Flights 110 spending money at least 150 for 2 nights so I think il give it a miss. Without my debts that would be a no brainer but hopefully staying clean will mean I dont have these dilemmas in the future.

7 days free of gambling

186 days to go

56 pounds saved (8 pounds a day)

273 paid off, one of 2 debt payments came out today.

0 spent on gambling.

Good catch up with a friend and walked her dog and had a evening meal at a nice local pub.. No thoughts of gambling all day, although spent a bit of money but at least it was on something I enjoyed.

Hi rst

I like your method with the diary well done on 7 days

Keep going and keep strong

Suzanne xx

8 days free of gambling

185 days to go

64 pounds saved.

273 paid off.

0 spent on gambling.

More Glastonbury today and signed up to be a mystery shopper so I can do something in my spare time and get a bit of cash for it too. Enjoyed the footy without a bet although saw Holland getting back in it and sort of wish I had a bet as the odds would have been good. Looking forward to a busy week and hope to turn down the gambling music in my head.

9 days free of gambling

184 days to go

72 pounds saved.

273 paid off.

0 spent on gambling

Busy at a football secretary meeting then watching Germany scrape through against Algeria, no thoughts this evening.

10 days free of gambling

183 days to go

80 pounds saved.

323 paid off. (50 to parents - 1st of month)

0 spent on gambling

Busy day at work and keeping in touch with Wimbledon watching all the favourites crash out has been fun knowing I didn't put a bet on. Cycled 10 miles round trip to footy at st George's park and had a really enjoyable game. Saving money and keeping fit as we'll no brainer 🙂

11 days free of gambling

182 days to go

88 pounds saved.

323 paid off.

0 spent on gambling

Early check in as I'm out for a few drinks with a friend tonight. Would prefer to have a night in and save 20/30 quid but there's only so many times I can turn people down before they are no longer there as a friend. People already seem suspicious but don't want to tell anybody yet, hope to have beat this by Christmas and then I can be more relaxed with spending my spare money.

So true about a video I watched on YouTube the other day about 'the secret addiction'. Well worth a watch.

12 days free of gambling

181 days to go

96 pounds saved.

323 paid off.

0 spent on gambling

Early morning post after a work night out, feeling rough but gambling far from my mind. Looking forward to a weekend in leeds coming up with tour de France on sat.