I became complacent.

Day 50. I haven't posted for a while and it was only when I counted I realised how long it's been.

The truth is, the more I come on Gamcare, the more I think about gambling. No urges at all so I'm just taking each day as it comes. If I do need help though, I'll be straight back here.

All the best

Brad

Day 67.

The days are flying past. Can honestly say I haven't gambled apart from my weekly £2 lottery ticket.

I've stopped drinking recently and started to watch what I eat more and I feel so much better for it.

I feel like a completely different person at the moment. More confident, more money and more happier.

I know I'm not cured, but I know what I need to do.

Good luck everyone

Best wishes

Brad

Three weeks since my last post. Nothing to report, so busy with work and enjoying my loving family to think about gambling.

Best wishes

Brad

Day 96 and still not gambled.

I don't know what it is with me. I can go months and months without gambling, then I think I can have a small bet because I've learnt my lesson. The reality is, I can't, it all starts over again.

I hope I've learnt my lesson this time.

Good luck everyone on your own journeys.

Brad

Really well done Brad, that's great work and you are a great example.

I know what you mean about coming on the GamCare site making you think about gambling. It's a known trigger for me (I mean, I have used it as an excuse to "surround myself with gambling thoughts"). But you know that now so that's most of the battle.

Thanks for posting, it does really help to read your good progress.

FF

Hello Brad

I would like to say that its very brave after 1 year of abstaining to admit you messed up over £150, you are right however ! it is the only way to keep off gambling by steering the mind somewhere else, this site gives a type of Governance over all of us and helps to keep us on the straight and narrow. Wish you better days ahead now your on the right direction once more Dark Place

Thank you DarkPlace for your kind words.

It's day 115 and I didn't realise how long it was until I logged in.

Bit of a boring post really as not much to report. Still no gambling so that's the main thing. New casino opening soon my way and the local radio station covered it and wanted people to phone in with their views.

Lots of people rang in talking about their gambling addictions. Brought tears to my eyes.

Another reminder of why i kicked the habit!

Gambling was on my mind last night, i'm not sure why. I wouldn't call it an urge but it got me thinking of all the reasons I gave it up and how I felt.

The last couple of weeks I've started sports betting on the football. I knew as soon as the season approaches I'd have to stay focused.

If I search online for "betting sites", every site that appears, I'm already self excluded from. I know thats alot, but it's true. Even the small ones that pop up you've never heard. All of them.

I managed to find one though so I signed up. I won a bet and then decided to make a withdrawal. It took over a week to get it back, so I closed the account and self excluded. They money was available to "reverse" for four days. That was enough to get back to my senses and realise why I stopped. They just want you to blow the lot with them. Even when I self excluded they weren't very helpful, they just suggested I set daily deposit limits.

I have actually made a complaint to the gambling commission.

So not a positive post really. I didn't lose any money but thats beside the point.

9 out of 10 times I bet sensibly and within my means. And I think thats the problem. Because I think I can play sensibly I tell myself it's OK to do it.

I haven't posted on here for nearly two months. I slipped up recently as my previous posts say.

I'm 32 days gamble free now. Not a substantial amount of time but I'm on a high again. The bad feelings and urges have gone.

I've linked gambling with relaxing, which in turn I link with drinking. So I'm on a health kick. Off the alcohol and I feel so much better for it.

This time 18 months ago I was about £10,000 in debt. I'm now £5111.17, and that would be nearly cleared now but we bought a new car recently. I have set my self a target of clearing the lot by next August if not sooner. It can only come down if I don't gamble, and that's my focus!

Good luck everyone on your own journey.

All the best.

Brad

Brad glad to hear you are back on the wagon! I did the same today had a slip but hopefully learn from it! Got no pleasure what so ever from it!!!

Here is to kicking gambling for good!!!!

All the best mate!!!

Hi Bobby.

Yes mate, we have to learn from it. No more slips since and I hope its the same for you too.

Haven't thought about gambling that much. It does depress me when in every advert break you see betting companies guaranting the best odds. Can't be right can it. If people want to gamble, they will. Why encourage it?

Still gamble free!

I haven't been on this forum lately. I suppose thats a good thing as I haven't needed too.

I'm still gamble free and fairly soon I will be debt free aswell. I'm not sure how it will feel as I've always had debt since I can remember. I just hope I don't slip back into my old ways with more disposable income.

Happy New Year everyone. Let's all hope we can stay strong, commited and on track.

All the best

Brad