Hi all & welcome to my (long overdue) recovery diary 🙂
As regular forum users may know, I'm not new to this site so won't bore you too much with my intro story - if you are particularly interested you're more than welcome to check out my previous 2 threads which I've posted in the newbie column!
Right, so on my second time of asking, day 9 of being gamble free, March 18th 2016, here goes...
I felt today was the day for starting this as I'm finding it really hard to except my losses, approximately 5-6K, it's eating me up inside in fact, not a nice mindset! It's the exact same feeling I had after my initial loss - after which I went on the chase to end up, eventually, even more money down. Hence my diary commencing.
I'm so more determined this time tho, I've blocks in place, closed accounts & confinded in a loved one, the latter being one of the best moves I've made - helps so much being able to talk openly to someone who knows, loves & trusts me... Big thanks again to those who advised me to do this on the forum previously!
Bit random, but I happened to be in Gt. Yarmouth this week (that's not where I live btw) - if you're familiar to the seaside town you'll know the long street which leads from the top where all the main shops are right down to the seafront. I was shocked at how many bookies are now down said street, some even being right next to each other. Low & behold they seemed to be the busiest shops out the lot of 'em, I was watching people go from one to the other, sad sight in an area which is a little poverty-stricken nowadays 🙁
I won't be posting on a daily basis but really do enjoy reading other forum users diaries, some great achievements happening out there!
I'm off to London tomorrow & then cinema on Sunday. Wishing all reading this an enjoyable & safe 'gamble free' weekend.
I'll be catching you soon, NM
Hello NorfolkMan
Good to see you start a diary.
Well done for getting back into double figures.
I have followed your previous threads and been impressed with the way you have acted on the good advice given.
It's okay not to have all the answers. None of us do. It's not easy. Stopping takes practice, change and a willingness to learn, then things might get easier.
Letting go of losses is such a big problem for people. If you're not in debt from gambling then you're lucky.
In your case, every time you go back to gambling things will become worse, because the losses you chase will become bigger.
Expect the weekends are always going to be the biggest test for you.
Stay strong.
Enjoy London.
Best wishes
Glint
Morning NM,
Glad you've started your diary, well done. It's difficult to find things to write everyday but dig deep and you'll find something. Even if it is about a "back strain" like I had last weekend!
Family and I did a 5 day break in Norfolk last year in a log cabin with hot tub, really enjoyable. I can remember having no 3G or 4G or Wifi so virtually impossible to place a bet! Went to G.Yarmouth on last day and like a lot of Uk Seaside towns is becoming run down. I live on the seaside in North Yorks and have seen the same happening. Blackpool has gone the same way. The gambling seed can be planted so early in these seaside towns in the local arcades, this leads onto further gambling in later life. I can relate to this as I loved the seafront as a kid. Losing the bus fair home, so having to walk. If lucky with tide times we'd probably do some wave dodging then get home wet through.
High street bookies aren't a problem for me hate the places, probably because my grandad and dad were in there a lot. Now with these FOBTs they have in them all (which should be renamed LIVE WRECKERS) the greedy "swear word" are just robbing punters blind. These are machines programmed to make money! So many on here and in my GA meeting are addicted to these machines and honestly I feel for them more than the damage I've done to myself. Strange but true.
The wife's off to Leeds today on a ladies day birthday pi$$ up so I've got my girls. Must keep stress levels down but will stay strong.
Keep up the good work mate.
Thanks.
Cheers Glint & Shep, some sound advice there - thanks for commenting on my diary also, much appreciated! Hope things are going well for you both...
As for myself, day 13 & counting! I've had a busy but enjoyable w/e & week so far, the thought of gambling has been put right to the back of mind, which certainly is a positive thing. Went to a music concert last night & the head has been a little worse for wear today.
I'm really finding accepting my losses the hard part, that's for sure. Everytime I walk past a bookies, spot a TV/newspaper ad, I feel a little anger brewing. As Glint mentioned above tho, if I was to turn back to gambling, the losses would just get bigger & bigger... I'm 100% sure I won't be lining their filthy pockets again, made far too much outta me already!
Feeling like I've really turned the corner & made massive steps trying to beat this addiction. Early days tho, I'm not forgetting what happened during my last 'quitting' attempt.
Sad news in Brussels today. Weather's picking up.
Wishing all well, NM
I don't think you give yourself enough credit. Not only are you not forgetting about what happened last time - you have learned from it, came back, tried harder and changed your approach this time.
It might not be easier to stop gambling when you're still trying to accept your losses, but you have made it harder to start.
Keep working at it.
Two weeks.
Well done.
Thank you kindly Glint. True what you say, I should give myself more credit - day 15 & all still going well...
I really haven't had any urges to gamble again whatsoever, just the hurt trying to accept what I've lost. That I'm sure will ease in time, NO more chasing! I'm finding keeping myself occupied really helps, thinking about it, if it wasn't for the times I've had little or nothing to do, I probably wouldn't of got myself into this situation in the first place!
I've a particularly busy old Easter period coming up, partner has a lot of time off, family visiting, London bound once again for a Saturday night all-nigher, amongst other plans.
Should imagine I won't be updating my diary for a while, shall certainly be clocking up those 'gamble free' days still tho 🙂
Wishing all a Happy Easter! Keep up the good work & don't be eating too much chocolate, NM
Hi NF,
I really can relate to your post, 2nd paragraph. I'm around 40 days gamble free, will have a count up soon.
It was nice to go away with work 100% focused on the job I'm paid to do, without all the additional worries gambling brought!
Enjoy the weekend and stay gamble free.
Cheers.
Cheers Shep, hope things are going well for you my friend!
Hit 3 weeks gamble free & counting yesterday... Feeling different this attempt, not sure why, just more determined to kick this habit once & for all - I've certainly found it hard accepting the money has gone, but it has & won't be coming back.
Have had a really busy old time as of late, certainly helped, my mind has been totally focused away from gambling, this should be continued with the visit of my children commencing - good times ahead 🙂
Just a quick diary update from me. Thanks for reading, wishing all forum users a happy & successful Thursday/weekend.
Bring on April/soon to be Summertime, NM
Quick diary update to note hitting the 28 days (4 WEEK) mark! I've beaten my previous attempt so I'm well chuffed with that aspect 🙂
Still no real urges to gamble - keeping myself busy, also looking for a new job so that's a pretty big distraction.
Starting to enjoy watching sports, especially football, the way I use to, i.e. stress free with no money on it...
It's been a great Easter period with family visiting, off to London again at the weekend! Tonight is cinema along with a Nando's.
Hope this post finds everyone well, all the best guys, NM
Well done NM on reaching 4 weeks - fantastic achivement and I can see many more weeks to come!
Big Well Done!
Glad you feel better in yourself than last time. 30 days and counting, keep up the good work.
It's a nice feeling being gamble free hope you agree? With an occupied mind I know I feel a freshness! Probably that's something to do not having any losses or gambling secrets hidden away.
All the best!
Thank you both Rose & Shep for the kind words, much appreciated!
It sure is a nice feeling being gamble free as you mention above Shep - hit my day 35 today, all still going well as can be...
The urge to gamble has totally gone, this certainly has been helped being able to talk openly with a loved one as & when needing to. Also love the fact knowing the money I have now, will remain mine.
Not updating my diary that regularly, but I'm certainly keeping note of those gamble free days/weeks clocking up!
Hope this finds all well, what a wonderful day weather wise 🙂 Until next time, take care, NM
Glad all is going well mate. My next milestone will be 90days gamble free when I think I get a pen at my GA meetings!
All the best.
Haven't posted for a while now, so here's an overdue diary update...
Day 65!!! All still going well, except one little flutter I have to confess - having won £100 on Leicester winning the EPL, an outstanding bet which obviously came in, I put £20 into a FOBT machine, that's all I was going to part with; having been into these things when I was younger, I know how addicting they can be. Anyhow, cut a long story short, I walked out £60 up! That's it, done & dusted, my one small gambling confession - haven't been back since & don't plan to either... I really feel in control with this addiction now, massive achievement & one I'm really proud of.
Well hope this finds all well, been spoilt weather wise lately 🙂 Can't believe we're well into May already tho, where is this year going?!
Soon be the Euro's, shall need a lot of determination to stay bet-free during this, but bring on the feast of football nonetheless!
Happy Friday, stay safe & enjoy the weekend. NM
Most people experience one little bet turning into the next larger bet and so on. Hence the GA advice that the bet to avoid is the first one.
It's good that your gambling has reduced but I'd question 65 days gamble free.
To thine own self be true.
CW
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