Get this poison out of my system

Thanks for the advice, guys. I've deleted the poker client and everything else poker-related from my computer. Sod the loyalty points. You're right of course, it's just another method to reel people in. I've finished my Master's and I've got a few job applications on the go at the moment. I hope I can enter the real world and not waste any of my earnings on gambling. I said that if I lasted a year without gambling I'd change my username from sirgamblelot to sirgambleNot. It's been over a year, so I'll do that now. Here's to a gambling-free future for all.

Take care everyone,

SGN

Well, congratualtions.

Very nice and interestingly-written diary entries, if I may say so!

Thanks milkman. I've just found out that I passed my Master's and I've got a job interview coming up, so hopefully things are looking good for the future.

All the best,

SGN

Love your new name, that says it all!

All the best with your job applications, you'll find the job that suits you.

GT

I found myself flicking through some old diaries today.

How are you getting on these days?

Hi M1LKMAN.

I'm still gamble-free, although I got some bad news the other day and I've found my mind drifting towards poker for the first time (of any significance) since the last time I posted on here. I haven't touched any gambling sites and I'm sure I'll be fine if I just ride it out until my head clears. Over 2 years gamble-free now; I believe that I'm strong enough to resist the temptation as long as I steer clear of gambling sites.

Bestest regards,

SGN

Stick in there. Let the loss go and pretend you never had the savings. Gambling is such an addictive slippery slope. Unlike other addictions where you can recover and wipe out memories of the past, gambling has a continual soul destroying reminder. Financial loss. That's why it's hard to leave alone. The thing that attracted you in the first place becomes the high risk solution to the devastation it has caused, dangling like a contaminated carrot ready to cause more ills. Don't waste your energy on regret. It's futile. Just wipe the slate clean, look at what you have, disregard the past and be at peace with yourself. We all make mistakes. That's what makes us human. Your still breathing!!!

Hello, me again. I said a while back after finishing my Master's that I was worried I'd return to gambling whilst looking for or after finding a job. Well, in the time since then (September 2011), I've only had sporadic part-time work and I was at a pretty low ebb in life wondering if I'd ever get a proper full-time job. In all that time, my thoughts hadn't really strayed towards gambling until the last couple of months. The rationalisation was that if no-one wants to employ me then I may as well have a go at trying to make money through other means (gambling).

Luckily, I've been gamble-free long enough now for common sense to prevail and I've continued to steer clear of gambling sites. There are so many adverts on the telly now for betting and for poker sites, so it's impossible to completely avoid exposure, but I haven't actually visited any of these sites for years.

The big news, which prompted me to post, is that I've got a job! It's a proper full-time job, decent pay, starting next week. Last time I had a decent income I blew most of it on gambling. I know from other people's testimonies how easy it is to slip back into old habits, even when you've been gamble-free for a long time. I must therefore remain vigilant and stick my earnings into savings accounts so that I can begin to build for the future.

This is a new stage in my life, and with that comes a renewed test of my resolve. I am determined to be successful in my new job, and just as determined not to throw away my earnings. I know if I just carry on the way I have been for nearly three years now, keeping completely clear of poker and other gambling sites like the plague, then I will be able to continue to develop as a person and have a secure financial base with which to build a future for myself, and hopefully for a family one day.

Thanks again for your support - stay gamble-free!

SirgambleNot

congratulations!

All good sensible words. You're well into recovery now, three years is what most of us can only dream of.

Thanks for looking me up and commenting on my page. I'm still hovering around, but I don't post much these days.

You're on the way to being a veteran of the pages!

I think it's time for an update. I'm still gamble-free and am over 9 months into my job now. The work isn't terribly exciting, but requires analytical thinking, which means that it doesn't get too repetitive and I'm enjoying it on the whole.

I've recently bought my first car thanks to saving my earnings. I went on a short holiday in August last year and will be going on another one in June this year. You earn a lot more and live a lot better when you're working and not gambling!

Take care,

SGN

Hello world!

I'm still gamble-free (over 4 years now!). I haven't been tempted to gamble at all for a very long time, but I know how important it is to remain ever-vigilant as it's easy to regress into the same old destructive cycle.

My holiday in June was great; I just relaxed and enjoyed the ride - I let my friends I was travelling with sort all the logistics.

Got a decent pay rise after my first annual review at work, so can't complain! More to save up 🙂

I hope that anyone struggling with gambling can take a moment to stop and think. If you look deep enough, you will find a determined conviction within yourself to turn your life around.

All the best,

SGN

Sirgamblenot

Fella I simply salute you!!!!!!

A huge well done on your continued abstinence.

Proof it can be achieved

Thanks for sharing

Duncs stepping forward never back

Sirgamblenot

Thanks for sharing

Your post is very inspiring

Best wishes

Suzanne x

Still here; still gamble-free! Have taken up running again to fill those spare hours.

Spare your pennies to spread a smile this Christmas!

Much love,

SGN

Thanks GT for your comments.

Over 5 years gamble-free now, I can (just about!) afford to take another big holiday this year.

I don't think about gambling at all now; not sure what prompted me to post here again to be honest! I'm still steering clear of poker and other gambling sites like the plague, seems to have done the trick so far!

I've never told anyone outside this forum that I have had a gambling problem. I don't know if I ever will - maybe one day when I find someone I want to marry and share everything with, but it will be tough.

I think this forum has helped in that regard, it has been a place where I could get things off my chest and get advice from others who have been through similar struggles. I don't feel like it's bottled up or eating away at me any more. For that I am very grateful.

Thanks everyone for your continued support. I wish you all can find the fortitude and clarity of thought that will bring you away from gambling and towards contentment.

I'll close with a quote:

Who is rich? He who is satisfied with his lot (Ethics of the Fathers 4:1)

All the best,

SGN