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Ooooh jam packed weekend ahead for you! Well done on day 242 amazing achievement. Have good time and lovely to hear you say life us great, enjoy.....S 🙂

Ooh Matt, I am sending so many positive vibes towards that date...Your in the prime of your life...Whoever you meet and you will meet the right one, is going to add to your alreay amazing life....I am so excited for this next stage for you.

Sending bestest wishes and let us know how the date goes.

Julie x

Day 245 begins

Had a lovely weekend. Smile firmly on my face. Friday I caught up with my friend and his wife. I stayed there for quite a while during my relationship break down, so they saw me at my lowest ebb. Saturday afternoon I got a text saying "we bothe just said how well you look and that it's great to see, lovely to catch up". I guess that says it all really, they hadn't seen me in 6 weeks or so.

Thanks ladies for your positive vibes, they really are appreciated, life really is a better place for me now and your comments always help. Date has been postponed to tonight but I am really looking forward to it, the girl really floats my boat.

I go away with work Wednesday-Friday, it really feels all aspects of my life are really improving and I am finally fulfilling some potential and letting myself be the person I always wanted to be.

Stay strong everyone, good things will come.

Matt

Hi Matt

Glad to see the progress you've made. You are testiment to the fact that if you really commit to your recovery and post here on a regular basis, the gambling demons can be kept at bay. I got complacent and relapsed. So i'm starting the whole process over again. Hopefully I can learn from my mistakes this time. All the best in your continued recovery. I will be looking at your diary for inspiration. Have a great week

Westsider

Thanks for the post. A relapse isn't the end, it is the beginning. Use it as fuel to never be there again. I wish you all the best in your recovery and I hope I can help in anyway. You cannot win when you gamble EVER. Stay strong and enjoy that gamble free life and what it can bring.

Good luck mate.

Day 252,

Had a very busy week. Was in Germany with work for 3 days, then home Friday. Went out for a few beers Friday eve which was good after my travels.

Saturday I spent the day doing my garden and man chores. Sunday My folks came over to help me finish the garden and do a few other things in the house. Sunday evening I went out for dinner with the girl I have started to date. She is so far spot on and really fun company and blow your mind attractive. It is going slowly which I like but it is certainly nice to have some female company again.

Stay strong everyone.

Matt

Hi Matt great to hear that life is good and busy, enjoy your new found happiness....you deserve it! Take care S 🙂

Thank you Sharon that's kind of you to say.

Hope your journey is a good one, I am proof it can be beaten. Keep going girl.

You're welcome yep all good here... bit up and down but moving in the right direction :):

Ups and downs are natural but keep with you the fact that you can never win when you gamble. Good things come after you make the commitment to being gamble free girl.

Day 254

Yesterday I attended a good friend's father's funeral. It was a really sad occasion obviously. I have known him since the age of 12, he was a lovely man and always full of jokes. Most memorable to me was his encouragement when I was playing football he would always make the effort to give me tips and really backed me and improved me as a player. I had last seen him in Februrary when we attended a football match together. He had been battling cancer the last 18 months or so and the last couple of months were pretty brutal for him.

There were so many people there celebrating his life and saying goodbye but maybe the most poignant moment was a reading from his best friend. He was telling all about his 45 year friendship and how much he will be missed. I guess this would all be very standard stuff until the guy admitted he had hit rock bottom 15 years ago and lost everything due to a major substance abuse problem. My friends Dad was very understated but a hugely successful businessman and massive family man. It was surprising to me that his best friend would have been one associated with drugs in any form but it goes to show addiction can strike anyone and friends of addicts will always stick by them. I can say I have been hugely lucky withj my support network of friends. If anyone is reading this who is too scared, like I was to tell people, do not be afraid it will be the best thing you can do in this recovery process.

Good luck everyone.

Matt

I have re read my diary from start to finish today. Something I never really believed I could do due to all the pain I felt previously.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank some people who's posts and encouragement on my diary have really helped me get through to where I am today....254 days gamble free and excited about my future. In no particular order

Malkie

Woodley

Our Lady

Damo

Little Miss Lost

Julie 35

Sharon 41

Loxxie

Westsider

Barney (Mel)

I apologise if I have missed anyone (I didn't spend too long on pages 2-5).

Thank you all so so much

Matt

Matt, there are so many words to describe your diary...,,inspirational, thoughtful, heartbreaking, painful, optimistic the list is endless a genuine rollercoaster But the thing that is consistent is your commitment to quitting despite the s**t life threw at you also your compassion for your fellow members, You are an example to us all my friend and deserve every happiness S 🙂

Hi Sharon

Your kind words are, as ever very much appreciated. It certainly has been a roller coaster but feel firmly on the up now.

Thank you so much and I wish you all the very best in your recovery too, I am sure you will kick it too.

Matt

You-re totally welcome and thank you too, I'm getting there and aspire to triple figures and beyond. S:)