Ok see here it goes.
To cut a long story short I signed up to this in 2009 and found it really helpful. I managed to get control of my gambling and I was able to just bet every now and then. However, it has gradually crept back up on me, money I have saved/earned I have lost. I feel so shameful for what I have done. So much time/money wasted. I was in the bookies earlier today just sitting there losing stupid sums of money, then it suddenly came to me, WHAT THE f**k am I doing? All this money I may as well just flush down the drain. So that's it, I am now done. Here is the new me, I will no longer be 'donating' money to bookies. I will try to write in this diary daily, as I know we are all in the same boat, so hopefully we can all get through this together.
Stay strong all,
Greggers
Day 1
So this is my first day not gambling, this is going to be the hardest thing I have ever done. I have self excluded myself from bookies near home and at work. I have self excluded my online betting accounts. My main priority is my child, it's so selfish of me to spend time in bookies when I could be spending time with my child. I just wish I never started gambling it's ruined my life, but here I am, day 1, let's do this 🙂
Greggers
Welcome, you are right this is a place full of like minded folk.
Recovery is a life choice, one only we can make, by making that choice we will have a profoundly positive effect on those we hold dear.
The advice gifted to me on my first days recovery still works today
There is a triangle Time -money -location
Take one away at all times and that next punt becomes impossible gifting the rational side of the brain the time to take control of your life.
We irony we actually win by not waging a single penny.
Commit yourself fully to recovery you will be astounded by what it gifts
Enjoy your new found time, use it wisely
That starts with a choice
Abstain and maintain
Duncs stepping forward never back.
The triangle is a statement that makes perfect sense, I have removed the location so gambling now cannot take place.
Looking back, it was crazy of me to think that I had my gambling under control, and I think a lot of people on here can relate to this. Whereas, it was really under the control of the bookies, they are evil premises, lives ruined in those shops. In my opinion, they do nowhere near enough to stop people like us losing silly sums of money (day after day!)
Greggers
Greggers
Fella I have to say don't waste your energy blaming the industry
Gambling will exist as it has for ever.
The problem lays within our own minds.
My advice fella, use all that anger and emotion to fight addiction
As we all when active live by the same mantra
I cannot win because I cannot stop.
My friend you turned that upside down
Today enjoy winning
Duncs stepping forward never back.
I totally agree it's our faults not the industry, but I was just stating that they don't really care. Cheers for your meaningful words mate.
Hi Greggers , Just picked up on your comment , Congrats on youre day one buddy ! I think you too have to just let the past go, whats done and gone is excactly that , DONE AND GONE , As you say dont look back , instead look forward to spendin the time with youre family , thats the important things in life !! Good luck buddy !!
Hi Greggers welcome to diaries.
Well done on day one, and winning.
Take it nice and steady thinking one day at a time, with that triangle broken, we can't change the past, but we can change our future,
Every single day we don't play, we are winners.
Keep strong, determined, and keep posting, and reading, it does help,
Best wishes to you on your new journey.
Suzanne x
Just checked my emails and of course there are a couple of offers from bookies, trying to entice...deleted and unsubscribed. I'm feeling so motivated to do this, to get my life back. I know it's only day 1, but I'm really up for this.
This is going to be a long journey, but I'm going to stay strong, not for myself, for my family.
Keep at it Greggers, you can beat this!
Best of luck my friend...
Well done Buddy ! That's the Spirit , each day as it comes ! we are all hear for each other whenever the need arises !! Just for today I will not gamble . Regards Alan
Successfully through day 1. Now onto day 2, wasn't that hard to be fair, but then it never has been in the past. It's getting through to day 4 and 5 that's been a struggle. Especially with the weekend coming up with sporting action, it's so hard not to place a bet. I must think every time I think about placing a bet, that money could be spent on my wife or child. That's what will get me through this!
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