So here I am again, staring into my computer screen on a gambling forum page asking myself why? Why do I gamble so much? Why do I feel it necessary to gamble at all? And why I'm risking throwing everything I have away for money?
This is my third attempt at this website, the first began years ago but I didn't spend much time on it, probably through arrogance. The second time however was different, I gave it a real go and done extremely well, a whole year gamble free. I even stopped posting, the urge had gone, I had turned my life around and was the happiest man alive.
I got arrogant again.
"The odd bet won't hurt".
If you reading this that's the point you would have had a little snigger to yourself, we've all been there, slowly demolishing all my hard work from the inside to out. Obviously 1 became 2, which turned into downloading an app and before long I was back to placing 2-3 accy's a week, on any sport I could find. Totally my own fault, if my fiancГ©e knew I don't know what would happen.
That brings me to the reason I'm back, my fiancГ©e. We are getting married in 6 months time, scary stuff. Before that we are moving out, properly growing up. Then it will soon be kids and I'd have the life I've worked so hard for, a house, a wife, a family, perfect.
I'm risking It all with my gambling. We may not get enough money together to move out, or pay for weddingy things (I'm aware weddingy isn't a word) because I'm just throwing away so much money.
So I dragged myself back here, and the best thing I done was to re-read my posts from last time, when I succeeded. I saw the buzz I got from not gambling and wanted that again.
I'm very lucky in life, lucky in love and quite often lucky in bets. Eventually luck runs out, so I'm giving up the luck of gambling before it gives up on me and I lose everything else that's important to me.
So my pact, my promise is that I WILL GET MARRIED A GAMBLE FREE MAN.
6 and a half months and counting . . .
My last gamble was Sunday, so this is day 2 of my new new life, and I'm hoping this time I can get it right, for good.
Thank you all in advance for both reading this and your support, help make me the happiest Man alive again,
Paul
Hi Paul
Your no different than many people on here,I for one felt I was above all the mug gamblers and had the arrogance of thinking I was better than everyone else and could make gambling pay.
Alot of years on and the loss of thousands & thousands of pounds later,not to mention the lost and ruined relationships I m trying to rebuild my life.
If I can offer you one piece of advice ,it would be DON'T make the same mistakes in life as I have done, beat this addiction before it causes untold distress in your life (which it will).
Use your luck to beat this ,marry your sweetheart gamble free because nobody derserves the burden of being married to a compulsive gambler with all the pain that it brings.
All the best in your recovery Dino
Hi Paul, stick with the forum and you will for sure kick this disease into touch,and marry,happy content and gamble free. That was a great last paragraph from Dino. All the very best, Onwards and upwards. GINGER
Day 4.
Thankyou to both of you, especially to you Dino that really hit home. It's no longer my decision to gamble or not to gamble its a decision for me and my fiancГ©. Selfish greed.
The last few days have been quite easy, there was midweek football I managed to watch and not bet on but nothing to big. It's like going to the gym, the first few days/weeks it's on the forefront of your mind to not gamble so it is unlikely you will. The tests will come firstly at the weekend, a football packed weekend, both English and American, I watch it all weekend long, nothing better. This will be a big early milestone to conquer this weekend. The next test is when the buzz of becoming gamble free dies down, can I remain strong and resciliant? YES I CAN!!!
I'm doing this, I'm succeeding at any cost. My fiancГ©e is my best friend, and I want us to be the happiest we possibly can when we get married 191 days from now, and that involves saving, saving, saving!
thanks for reading,
Paul
Hi Paul,
your situation has striking resemblances to mine. My only advice is tell your fiancГ©e, it won't be easier but it will be the only way you will truly stop.
i tried not too, things got worse, as much as you know you need to save you have no rationale when you have no one to answer too. You can easily not sign on here, you can't sign off from you fiancГ©e. Telling her now will be much smarter than telling her in 6 months, especially if it has a detrimental effect on her big day.
it was the hardest thing I've ever done but it was definitely the smartest thing!
good luck and stay strong buddy
Thank you very much Sir. I took your advice and told her. She was disappointed I had started gambling again but supportive, and proud that I'm back on here putting a full stop to it.
I passed a big milestone yesterday as I watched 2 football games and American Football (which lately has been a big chunk of my gambling) Sat with my brother and a few beers we watched the games unfold and despite several thoughts of "now would be a good time to stick a tenner on them" and "d**n it I would have put them in my accumulator" I got through it, gamble free.
Today is day 8 and all that's on my mind today and for this week is Christmas shopping, not gambling.
Paul
well done and wishing you a happy life
Well done Paul on 8 days
I myself nearly slipped back into my old ways at the weekend,it was only the support I got on here that saved me.I had really strong urges but I came on here, and the support and advice I recieved managed to get me through the day.
Without it ,there was only one result back to day 1.
Use the forum ,post on other peoples diaries,we are all the same fighting this disease, together we are stronger.
Stay strong Dino
Thanks once again guys. Haven't been on here for a few days, but been so busy with work and that big 'C' word. Can't wait until I get paid this week because I know where my money isn't going, on gambling. Another weekend has passed and another £20 odd and a heap of disappointment I've avoided. Today is day 15, it's Christmas day on Thursday, and I'm on the path to a gamble free life, 2nd time around.
Paul
In the words of Noddy Holder "Ittttttttttttttts Chrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrismas". Day 18 and no gamble urges today, just food, drink, more food, a lot more drink, presents and more drink. Get through the new year and then it will be all about the wedding.
Paul
Day 20
The amount of sport on at the moment is great, but it makes not gambling incredibly difficult. A few times these last 2 days I've wanted nothing more than to open up my app and place a quick accy. Just about resisting with the help of this website. New Years is fast approaching and from there it's saving hard in Januray, which definitely means no gambling. Keep me strong people, were achieving this together
Paul
Day 26
I've or through the majority of christmas sport without a single bet. Very proud of myself. Watched a Tottenham classic last night as we smashed Chelsea and was couldn't quite believe it. Christmas is now over, the new year is upon and now it's all about the wedding. Planning hard and saving even harder.
I will gamble no more!
Paul
Hi Paul,
Great work on your 26 days 🙂
Just popping by to remind you that I'm here supporting...2015 what a year to get married 🙂 Save, save, save - ODAAT
Day 29
First Monday of the year back at work, the day everyone hates. I actually had quite a good day at work. Still no gambling despite it being a phenomenal weekend of sport. Football, Darts, NFL. Got Spurs to watch tonight, defo crack open a cheeky beer or two and then early night for work tomorrow.
Feeling good, feeling confident. Next big milestone is 50 days but I'm trying to take things a few days at a time.
Thanks for all your support.
Paul
Day 35
Had my first real big struggle yeaterday while watching the NFL Play-offs. Tottenham lost to Palace and I was gutted and wanted to make myself feel better by winning some money. Wanted to place a few quid on first scorer and other little bets. I didn't. Wether this was a lack of funds or will power kicking in I don't really know. All I do know is my steak is still active. The 50 day mark is not too far away now and the wedding plans are really coming along, booked our honeymoon to Mexico the other day, can't wait. But only if I go as a gamble free man. A lot of money is needed.
Thanks
Paul
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
