For everything I did wrong, I did many things right

Hi Suzy,

Thanks for your support on my diary 🙂

There's enough on there now to help you sleep for a month 😉

Thank-you for posting your story, it's so good to have a heads up on what may well be round the corner & I will continue to work my recovery, 50 days or so behind you - ODAAT

Hi Suzy,

Just want to wish you a very happy New Year, you have worked hard for it, so enjoy.

Suzanne xx

Day 209.

Tomorrow will mark 30 weeks without gambling. 12th June 2014 was my last bet. Summer and Autumn have passed and I have even managed to have my first gamble free Xmas. I went to the Galway races and did not bet. For 30 Saturdays I did not back horses. For 209 days I have not been on online bingo/slots. Not a penny wasted on any form of gambling.

My favourite expression was gambling deep fat fried my brain. I can laugh about it now especially when I read about the harmful effects of deep fat fried mars bars!! During the 30 weeks I have slowly but surely scraped off layer after layer of manky grease off my brain. I will never be Carol Vorderman but my brain is fat-free and is going to stay that way. I am not complacent . Very strong itches at Xmas to play online bingo/slots. But the itches passed. I know they will come around again but I don't have to act on them.

I read the diaries every day and wish you all well .

Take care,

Suzy

Congrulations on your 30 weeks ! Stunning achievement.

Can really relate to your thoughts on the fried brain from gambling.

Keep up the good work its really paying off

Hi Suzy,

A very big congratulations to you on 30 weeks, of not spending even one penny on any form of gambling, thst must feel great today,

Take care

Suzanne xx

Hi Suzy,

Well done for stamping out those gambling urges over Christmas. There are a lot of triggers during the festive period, stress in the family or just having free time can both be issues that can cause gambling thoughts to edge forward in your mind.

30 weeks is a great achievement, and I really hope you are proud for the progress you've made. Hope 2015 offers a whole lot more steps in the right direction and some more great achievements!

Ryan

Hi Suzy, just read your last post & loved it 🙂

214 days now & adding Winter to your Seasons of content! Keep safe, keep posting & keep being an inspiration - ODAAT

222 what a pretty number 🙂

Hi suzy,

Just wanted to say hi and well done on your progress.

Mba x

Hi Suzy,

Thanks for your message yesterday, much appreciated.

256 days today girl, well done you.

I hope those urges soon disappear, just keep pushing through, they will weaken and give up.

Stay strong and keep doing what you are doing because it sure is working for you.

Take care

Suzanne xx

Hi Suzy, over a month since my last post as I can be a bit of a stalker but had to drop by after ready Zulu's post & offer my support too! You are doing brilliantly & can get through these nasty urges, I just know you can!

Keep strong - ODAAT

Hi Everyone,

Day 257 and delighted to be able to say that. At the weekend my head was full of gambling thoughts and names and shapes all reminded me of online slot games. I read zulu13's diary in the overcoming gambling section and it really helped. I have forgotten everything I learned in counselling. The hypnotherapy has long since worn off. I now try to recognise when I am at a high risk of relapsing. I was there at the weekend but I got through it. The urges have gone and the hassle /stress have been dealt with. I am on the way up again on life's ups and downs. Delighted to say I am gamble free. I read Zulus post over and over and it made the difference. Keep on posting everyone, together we can do this. Take care, Suzy

So glad to hear you made you're own way through the urges 🙂 Print that post out so that you have it to hand should you need it in future!

I know you're not here every day & I'm gonna give that a shot for a while! Thanks for your support on my journey especially in those early days & keep fighting - ODAAT

Day 279.

40 weeks gamble free tomorrow. I thought I had it all sorted when I got to 100 days. For me it got tougher rather than easier. I was all pumped up with CBT and hypnotherapy and the novelty of not gambling. When that all wears off you just have to get on with things.

Reading on this site is what works for me now. Thinking about a win as gambling tokens that will be spent the same day or the next day keeps me away from that next bet. Accepting that my control button no longer works so I cannot be a social gambler, I cannot win because I cannot stop. That's what I live by these days. The bloodshot eyes and the laptop overheating playing slots into the early hours is left in the past. The bank statements are still not great but there isn't a gambling transaction for 40 weeks. The kids are happy. They got their mom back and I have more time now I am not staring at the slot reels.

The advice on this forum is incredible for every step of the recovery journey. I remember the words nothing changes if nothing changes. My brain was deep fat fried with those slots. They turn you into a different person. Stay strong everyone and stay posting. Take care,

Suzy

Day 297.

Been a while since I updated my diary. Still taking it one day at a time.

Crazy urges lately and not looking forward to grand national day. My head seems to think I always win that day. Ha!!

Just thinking where I was this time last year. I had given up the bingo & slots but transferred to backing horses and plenty of them!

The scratch cards were just around the corner. They were such a waste of time. My car was full of them!!

God I have come a long way. I really want to join that exclusive 3% club. It is the only membership I truly want. Who wants to be a VIP of a stupid bingo site. Not me these days.

The diaries are great. I learn so much from those who are further along the journey than me and follow their sound advice.

Bank holiday weekends remind me of my gambling days. I did it for so long before it ever became a problem. It progressed and I can't go back to those days. I have to adapt. I have to change. I have to continue on this new road and this new way of living.

The urges will pass. The grand national will pass and I will be a winner. No bet today.

Take care of yourselves and watch out for the triggers.

Suzy