Hi.
I am currently on my longest gamble free stretch (136 days) for about 29 years. Mostly I gambled on poker. I switch between feeling like I have beat this addiction to being unsure I will be able to get through another week so often at the moment.
Mostly from my therapy I got from the NHS I try to reward myself for the progress I made. I also keep track of my days in diaries and my finances in spreadsheets. I also listen to a script written by myself where I describe how it feels to gamble and how it always ends up with me losing and things I can do to help me not gamble. I don't like the sound of my voice so my therapist recorded it for me. I think maybe it would have been better if it was me talking to me.
Fortunately like when I quit smoking in May 2013 it becomes easier in general to not think about gambling all day long. I do not spend all my time imagining what I would do if I won big anymore. I have realised all that would actually happen if I won big is that I would gamble more and probably at higher stakes. Reminding myself that I have been telling lies to myself and others for many years helps to not act on urges.
Positive habits are just as addictive as negative habits I see quoted. So I have been trying to build positive habits such as running for my mental and physical wellbeing. I have run 21 parkruns (5km) since the middle of June 2024. This is my highest ever tally in a year. On Saturday I ran my first ever December parkrun and am trying to keep up the habit during the winter. I also did my longest ever runs this year. 10 miles in September and November. To give back to Parkrun I have been volunteering at Junior Parkruns near me and recently got my 25th volunteering milestone.
I try to make it easy for myself not to gamble by looking at how much better off I am not gambling. Both financially, and the amount of time for other things I have now. This has been my most expensive Christmas in terms of presents bought but I have had plenty of money for other things. I was able to go for a couple of meals out with my girlfriend in December and buy myself presents. Which is why I am so pleased with the progress I have made.
Still have a lot of work to do to stay gamble free. It is hard work but definitely worth the effort.
Well done. I just joined and this is the first post I read. I hope I can mirror what you’ve done so far. I’m a keen runner too!Â
Well done I agree all us gamblers just Lie to ourselves it achieves nothing. Once again keep it up its surprising how better mentallly and Physically we feel NOT gambling
155 days since last gambled. Somehow I forgot that the 3rd of January was my 5 months of no gambling. I meant to treat myself. Anyway on the 1st I treated myself to new running trainers which almost every year before, on the 1st of January, I would not have been able to afford.Â
It was easily my most expensive Christmas ever. Usually even if I won before I would be holding on to most of the money to put back into gambling.Â
Now the hard work begins. Getting other parts of my life back on track while not messing up the gamble free part. I applied for a job today. Hopefully I will get a favourable response from an application soon.Â
There's still a lot of work to do on staying gamble free. I have been watching quite a bit of horse racing even though I don't bet now. I struggle watching sports because of all the bookie ads. Keeping up with all the homework from gambling therapy is getting tiresome. I have my 3 month follow up appointment next week and I don't know what to say.
Next targets: 6 months no poker 24th Jan. 6 months no gambling 3rd Feb.
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165 days since gambled.
Before I was gamble free I had little faith in myself that I could stop. The best I managed was a week or two without gambling. It still surprises me that I'm not gambling.
I guess I am very fortunate that I didn't rack up serious debts in the 20+ years of gambling. Looking at other people's posts seems this is the hardest thing to deal with. I just know that further gambling would almost certainly not help my financial situation. The years of experience have taught me this again and again.
That said, I'm not sure how I'm going to get a job to improve my financial situation either. Been out of work for years. My qualifications are either out of date or unlikely to help with my job search. I have a poor work history and I don't know where to get references from.
I might look to try and volunteer and see if this helps with recent work history and references. Its a long journey but looking for quick fixes hasn't done me favours in the past.
I try to remember that gambling isn't likely to help me and try to rebuild my life.
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171 days since last gambled
Still waiting on recruiters to reply. Just move on and see what happens later.
Went to see my share of a horse at a racetrack 2 days ago and it won. I was able to enjoy the experience without the need to put a bet on. Because I was with my partner I was more relaxed than last time I went to see him. The adverts and bookmakers didn't bother me as much.
Ran a half marathon in training for a marathon yesterday. So far training is going better than I expected.
Last week I had my follow up gambling therapy session and my therapist was pleased with my progress. I'm so close to 6 months now.
The anti depressants seem to be working although I am still a little down. Or maybe just anxious about the possibility of everything going wrong again.Â
Have kept up with my budget, gambling diary and desensitisation homework. Its been working so far. Don't see any reason to stop doing it.
Looking forward to a meal out as a celebration of 6 months no gambling. 13 days to go.
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200 days since last gambled
Not been thinking about gambling much so not been on the forums much lately. I usually miss the chatrooms because I don't think about it until far too late in the evening. In some ways its good that I don't think about it all the time but I do worry if I am not vigilant I will be tempted to gamble on a whim.
Pleased with the 200 milestone. I considered it a success when I reached 100. Been the best festive period and valentine's day for many years. I didn't realise for a long time one of the big differences - I have not had to borrow money at all for the whole 200 days. I don't know when I could last say 200 days without me borrowing had happened.
Running has been a huge distraction for me. I have set myself goals for the year to keep me busy. I wanted to run 10km in less than an hour and did that this February. I fell over a kerb last week and hurt my knee but I was able to run again today. So I am feeling a bit more positive today than last week. I don't have the massive highs and lows of gambling anymore. I feel less stressed.Â
I have been happier with my relationship with my partner. I feel that some of our future goals are more doable now I don't worry about probably being broke the following day. Plus we have been able to treat ourselves to more dinners out and things.
Overall much happier and feel more positive about life. Just got to remember that and not mess it up.
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