Gary's diary of (continued) recovery

Hi Gary , just wanted to say that I'm sure your old mum's keeping an eye on you and be sure she's very proud of how far youv'e come !

Best wishes my friend and respect !

Lovely post Gary, you have come soo far forwards now, I know your mum would be very proud of you, and I do believe she is your guardian angel now :))

Well done my friend.

Suzanne xxx

Cheers guys....appreciate the support

So...hitting the big 700 days today. 100 weeks since I last went in a bookies, repeatedly deposited money in a FOBT and watched a little animated ball land in an animated number I hadn't covered.

That evening I went to my first GA meeting and haven't looked back.

Nice to hit a little milestone and give myself a little smile but fully appreciate I'm just as a close to a bet as many other people on here who continue to struggle on an hourly or daily basis.

I don't miss gambling one bit. I hated gambling when I was deep at it, but the pathological urge to gamble constantly drew me back in. My finances were a mess and I was relying on the one thing that got me into the mess to get me out of it. Strange.

Anyway, things are so much better now in all walks of life. I will continue to work recovery.

Wishing anyone reading all the best. 🙂

Hi,

A fantastic achievement. Many congratulations and keep up the good work!

Best wishes

Congratulations Gary a great achievement and a great inspiration for me in my early days and still now.

Keep doing it the right way and things will can only continue to improve

KTF

Garyl1976 wrote:

So...hitting the big 700 days today. 100 weeks since I last went in a bookies, repeatedly deposited money in a FOBT and watched a little animated ball land in an animated number I hadn't covered.

That evening I went to my first GA meeting and haven't looked back.

Nice to hit a little milestone and give myself a little smile but fully appreciate I'm just as a close to a bet as many other people on here who continue to struggle on an hourly or daily basis.

I don't miss gambling one bit. I hated gambling when I was deep at it, but the pathological urge to gamble constantly drew me back in. My finances were a mess and I was relying on the one thing that got me into the mess to get me out of it. Strange.

Anyway, things are so much better now in all walks of life. I will continue to work recovery.

Wishing anyone reading all the best. 🙂

Well done Senor. Keep that recovery high going!!

Probably something worth sharing around the success of GA group. I've taken some extra responsibility this year as secretary so thought it might be beneficial to share some stats here for anyone who is unsure.

Jan - 37 unique members through the door with a cumulative attendance in the month of 95

Feb - also 37 (not all the same) with a cumulative attendance of 85.

Only 1 slip reported in the 2 months - being a new member after his first week. From my experience, GA works if you apply effort, willingness and open-mindedness.

FAO Oldham - the Open meeting has been pushed back to the 24th March; apparently there's a small match on Thursday 17th in Manchester that some of our Liverpool supporting friends are interested in.

Another sleepless night with the pup...but deffo preferable to the sleeplessness caused by my compulsive gambling; the knotted stomach and wondering whether today would be the day I'm eventually caught out.

Anyway, I tend to not to actively post on other's diaries but do read and draw inspiration from posters old and new. My own opinion is that there is more than one way to skin a cat and keep the complusions at bay. Me - I like to be positive and look to the future. I've embraced and love recovery and have become a better person as a result. I'll continue on that path...it works for me.

Some great numbers there Gary. january alone with 37 people works out at 1178 gamble free days.

Looking forward to coming over on the 24th arranged a lift tonight with John tonight. He thinks he might know you lol.

KTF

Good stuff mate...there's usually a decent spread put on also!

I suspect John may know the other Gary...he's been around the rooms a bit longer and has got around other meetings.

As long as they some cake I will be happy a bit gutted it will be just before your 2 years but still looking forward to it.

KTF

There's usually cake...but will make sure of it.

We have a loose plan to have an Open meeting every 3 months so I should be getting mine in June. One of those things!

Another good meeting tonight.... 16 existing and 1 new member. All GF for the week.

Not bad numbers considering there was a small footy match down the road.

An interesting focus on character defects tonight - how to address them and how to work to eliminate them.

Soooo.....feeling strong at the moment but no point getting complacent and self-exlcuded through the national number 02002942060 (thanks to Deano and Martin for bringing this to my attention...I'll be sure to pass onto my GA group on Thursday also).

Feeling a bit extra vigilant at the moment...I was never a "horses" man (FOBT was my vice)...but it's a week where gambling comes into the mainstream and is acceptable.

Personally, I'm best off away from the insanity with my guard up. I intend to keep it that way.

JFT I will not gamble.