Here we go again......... Another relapse.

Well done for coming back and being honest x

take steps Hun to try and prevent that first tenner being spent, put a block in or speak to your bank, anything that will break the triangle.

you are right to think about being debt free, I'm aiming for 18 month's to be free. Think what you could spoil yourself with instead of giving YOUR money away to gambling.

everyone here will help you x keep reading and posting. You can do this x

best wishes Laura x

Thank you for your kind words Laura, had a very reflective morning and put things into perspective. On the way to work then straight through my girlfriends house after for two nights so Day one and Day two should be relatively easy as she lives in the countryside in the middle of nowhere. ( I used to wind her up for this but now I envy her! Not a bookies in sight!).

Friday and Saturday will be the hardest to get through (pay day and match day respectively) but I will put the barriers in place to get through them. I just know if I can make to even a poxy month of not gambling a penny that it will set me on the right track to beat this.

Day 1 in progress.

All the best

Liam

Day 1's going ok, no urges so far. I can honestly thing of nothing worse than gambling right now I hope it stays that way. Working is boring but keeps me busy,

I'm looking forward to seeing my better half 2n, I'm even debating telling her for the first time, I think she will understand (I hope)!

All the best.

Liam

Be very careful when thinking about the Debt Liam, in the past when I have tried to set very strict goals to clearing my debt it has led to the voice coming back to me and telling me to gamble my way out of trouble - and we all know that leads to you being worse off.

Be positive that you are not going to add to it further. If it takes 2 years to pay it off so be it - if there are non payments or defaults already on your credit report then that damage is done, paying them off quicker will only restrict what cash you have to try and live life.

You're doing great, keep coming back mate.

The good thing is that you know you made a mistake and are back here.

I relapsed and lost a similar amount but its made me stronger mate , so maybe something good can come of it.

I'd love a tenner on the footy but I know it won't help and I wont be doing it.

Stay strong

Mba

Hi everyone hope your well. On to Day 3 without a bet, since my girlfreind has been stopping over. I honestly think abstaining would be ten times easier if we lived together as I know it sounds like a cliche but when I'm with her is the one of the few times I don't have this empty void in my life.

Anyways back to work 2d and finally pay day aswell, no real urges and plenty planned tonight to keep me busy.

All the best

Liam

Hi guys hope everyone's recovering is in full swing still. Day 4 without a bet is half way over, not much to report just writing this on my dinner break at work.

This week I have not let myself be sucked by putting a few pounds on the football. I was tempted but remember how that ended last weekend in a big relapse. It feels strange not having a bet on, but it will be nice to just follow the progress of my team rather worrying on what teams are losing my money.

After all football is supposed to be the beautiful game and gambling is the total opposite!

Feeling positive today, off to a an old school mates leaving party tonight who's moving to Australia so should be good.

I wish you all a gamble free and good weekend.

All the best

Liam

Liam, you're doing great fella.

The weekends are the toughest part and you've stayed strong so far so you should be proud of yourself. I'm a day behind you and this is my first serious attempt at giving up and reading your diary makes me realise that there are a lot of us out there that struggle.

I'll be following your posts in the future so stay strong..you're doing great!

Afternoon everyone, up and running day 5. Party last night was decent, not gunna lie had a few too many beers and had a few urges to gamble but then after reminding myself of the bigger picture and seeing some poor sap feed all his money into the bandit I thought better of it.

Not a great deal to report really, feel like I'm finally starting to gain some momentum, the voices in my head saying 'it's only a tenner' are starting to disappear. Having a lazy Sunday so far but getting the train to my girlfriends soon then back to work tommorow. I'm really starting to feel positive lately despite the relapse.

Hope everyone's having a good weekend.

All the best

Liam

Hey folks, onto Day 6 and feeling good. Can't believe I've had a full weekend of not a single bet. It's crazy how for most people that's normal but for me it's practically unheard off.

Anyway Monday is upon us and back to the place we call work. Weekends are too short but still I've had plenty of reflection. One of the triggers of my gambling is how unfulfilling and dead end my job is. So instead of gambling to fill the void, I will now use the energy to find a career in something I enjoy instead of living for the weekend.

Not much planned for this week really apart from the usual, playing 5 a side on Wedensday then the match on Saturday during the day then a fancy dress party on the night which should be a good laugh.

I payed off a substantial amount of debt yesterday with the money I have saved.

Have a creative and gamble free Monday all.

All the best

Liam

Hi Liam

6 days is great, one day off one whole week and saving because you are winning.

Stay positive strong and focused and keep going.

Well done

Suzanne xx

Keep it up Liam.

Good to see the urges are going and it sounds like you've got a busy week ahead which will only help! And to stay away from the machines with a few drinks in you is a great effort.

Well done mate.

Morning everyone, and thanks Suzanne and Callum for your words of encouragement :). They really do help because i don't want to let you guys down again.

Day 7 now, a good milestone but nothing really to report so far. Works gunna consume most of my day then seeing my better half after so again just trying to keep myself busy.

Had some minor urges to throw some money on the cup games but holding strong so far.

If I could give anyone reading my diary one piece of advice on how to abstain, it would be just to keep yourself busy all the time. It is indeed true that the devil makes work for idol hands, for some people this is alcohol or drugs, for us it is gambling.

All the best

Liam

Hi Liam

7 days is a very good milestone, it's one whole week,

Be proud and keep going and keep winning.

Suzanne xx