Hi all, thought I would share my days with people.. to help other people and to keep track of how I am doing.
Yesterday was day zero. After days and weeks of saying I needed to quit (to myself) I finally got the courage to seek help. Yesterday I placed my last bet. It was a lucky 15 and it paid out half of my orignal stake. By the time I went to collect my 'winnings' I had already contacted this site. I walked in to the bookies collected half my stake and walked straight out, knowing that this was the last time I would ever take this trip. It was also the first time I had managed to walk all the way in and all the way out without so much as glancing at the devil machines in the corner that suck the money out of your wallet. Even this small feat seems like a huge victory to me.
I spent most of yesterday evening thinking about gambling and was drawn to the forum to read other people's stories. Some really helped me and I feel like I am getting in to the heads of gamblers and maybe even my own head for the first time ever.
Day 1 (today) - I had the day off work and spent it with my son. Generally it would be a day that I would not be overly bothered about gambling as my day was busy and full and I think boredam had a big roll to play in my gambling. However its a full day without gambling and a great day spent out with my son, playing around in the paddling pool and having a great laugh. Gambling is still very ingranined in me though. Even queueing at the petrol station to buy water I couldn't help looking at the scratch cards. Needless to say I didn't purchase but it just goes to show how deep my gambling issue is (was). . always looking for an opportunity to take a punt.
Feeling extremely happy that I have not gambled today. 🙂
Hi Gavin, welcome to recovery 🙂
I had slightly longer in the pit than you but equally although I owed thousands, I was not in the dire straights that many people get into. Finding this & other sites have been incredible for me & I have not looked back because although recovery is sometimes hard, keeping the Time-Money-Location triangle broken until we are strong enough, removes our ability to throw any more life away! Mr Gamble as I affectionately call him (not) has tried to lure me back with everything but the FOBTs so don't be surprised to find yourself fawning over scratch card, raffles, tombolas anything!
Hopefully your son can play a huge part in your recovery, occupying you when the urges hit & benefit from having his Daddy around & focused!
Gambling is a part of us but we cannot win because we cannot stop so recovery is a lifetime commitment but it's soooo worth it!
Time to start fighting - ODAAT
Thanks ODAAT,
Today is day 4 of non gamling. I am feeling very positive after getting through a weekend where normally I would be in the bookies several times. Spent lots of time with my family - not constantly checking my phone for the horse racing results.#
Already noticing that my bank balanced hasn't changed in a few days and my wallet still has money in it. It's great to finally feel like I am taking control!!! 🙂
Today is day 19 of no gambling and I have to say it feels great. I have taken a lot of inspiration from Allen Carrs book and have started to notice gambling adverts on the TV, before I would see them and think, oh wow that looks like a great site... better sign up. Now, however, I look at them with utter distain and wonder how the gambling firms get away with showing this suave gambler who is having a great time and always winning of course surrounded by beautiful women. If only they should the real harm it can do to many people. Anyway rant over. I look at these advert now and think.. what a bloody con.
In other news I decided to start channeling my time to getting fit and have done a 9 day detox which has resulted in 11lb loss in weight which is massive for me. I have also booked a trip away for the family with the money that I would have no doubt already lost in the bookies.
Literally feeling the best I ever had.... oh and my wallet still has money in it 😀
So I went 46 days without a gamble, then out of nowhere........ bam!!!!! boredom kicked in whislt travelling on the ferry from Ireland back to the UK and I wondered over to the dreaded FOBT.......... obviously forgetting that I could not win because I could not stop......... I did all my dough..... Lesson learned I hope... Now currently on day 2, heres hoping.
day 13 getting there slowly
day 18, starting to think less and less about gambling. Feels good... Just paid some money off my mortgage 🙂
day 20, keep it going 🙂
another weekend gamble free. Delighted now 23 days in a row 🙂
26 days now. Almost a month Gamble free, am sure this time that there will be no stupid set backs
Keep in touch Hayestown. Glad your doing well?
Whats making the difference for you this time?
tri
No idea Triangle, I have just been completely keeping away from it. I cannot just spend £1, as soon as I do that it could literally turn to thousands. My main fix was FOBTs so as long as I dont go in to a bookies then I cannot play them. I would also smash online stuff from horses to roulette and I have self excluded from them all. I have done 32 days now. How are you getting on?
34 days now, not long till I overtake my previous best 🙂
37 days off gambling and other weekend successfully negotiated. Getting there
40 days gamble free and happy 🙂
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