From despair to where

Well done Despair for admitting to your wife you have a problem, hopefully with her support and the support of this forum you will beat it. Good luck xx

GF since Saturday 01/11/14. My wife has taken control of all my money which has been a big help.

Pretty bad cravings to gamble today but so far managed to resist.

Been GF for 2 weeks if I can get through today. Fridays are the worst as usual would have a beer and gamble which would then go right through the weekend.

It's the end of the working week a time to celebrate and do what you want to do for 2 whole days...We so easily fall into the trap of having lots of free time so let's gamble for some of that free time. Well make this weekend different, when you get an urge go do something different remember 'Time-Money-Location'.
Time (tick - turn this into a cross by having more things of interest to keep you busy)
Money (you say your wife has this - so only have enough for beer)
Location (try to avoid the usual place you go, but if you cant try to see gambling machines/or online what ever it is as big fat rich men splashing all your money and know that they are not getting it this weekend)
Sorry if I've rambled or taught you to suck eggs but keep going, great that you have told your wife as I have seen this working for many people on here most notably duncanmac (worth reading his diary).

Thanks for your advice. Friday really is the worst and I fell of the wagon after borrowing some money. Fortunately I managed to check myself before it became to bad. My comfort is that I managed 2 weeks and including a whole weekend and I need to focus and build on that.

Managed to get through today. Everything started for me when my Mam died this year. Used gambling to block the pain and it spiralled from there.

Pretty strong cravings at lunch time. Managed to resist.

Well done on resisting these urges, it will get easier over time. As for the loss of your mum I'm sorry to hear that, just try to think is this the sort of life she would want you carry on, do her proud and quit this for good. The amount of new people I am seeing coming onto gamcare is massive proof that we can never win.
Don't get down on any slip, a reset to day 1 may seem like a bad thing and it is if you don't take any learnings from it but I learned so much about my urges and the areas when I am week and things have got much better knowing how I can try and stop myself.

Thanks Again for your advice. Yes I think my Mam would have a fit if she saw what i became, she was always very good with money watching every penny as we grew up. Managed another day GF yesterday.

GF again today. More interested and motivated at work.

Keep fighting buddy it's a long journey but dealing with the pain you had before gambling maybe the way forward stopping gambling is great but I believe we have demons that entered our spirit when these sad or big events in our life happen I'm no expert but I know I'm certainly dealing with them gambling was just a temporary anaesthetic to me.

good luck.

the bear

Thank you. I totally agree. I have been to see a bereavement councillor and understand why the gambling happened in some ways but understanding it and controlling it seem to be miles apart.

GF yesterday.