Well done trigger on 24 days mate. Keep up the good work my friend.
Mba
Just did a long meaningfull post which didn't save!
Thanks nt;mba and emily for your posts.
All is good day 25;feeling stronger each day;longest run this year.
Day 26,another gamble free day ahead this is becoming the norm',tying up all the loose at work before the xmas break,looking forward to it.
just for today I shall not gamble
Day 27- Woke up with more determination,had a few urges last nite,I'm in the process of changing energy supplier,I got a couple of unwanted bills yesterday,not a good time!
Thoughts of trying to win a couple of hundred entered my head,keep telling myself it will only start that merry go round again,I've worked my way through these urges.
Just transfered most of my wages to my partner -Bills paid today,debit card cancelled and if I get the chance I may even travel out of town and self exclude from a bookies I know I would use(I'm excluded from the 3 local bookies).
I'm starting to enjoy a gamble stress free life,I mm enjoying making future plans,my health happiness is improving everyday.
Just for today I shall not gamble
Day 28,the 4 week mark,I've always thought by past experience the 9 week mark is when the habit cycle is broken,but I'm feeling pretty good,a clichГ© but taking each day and as it comes is working.
working through the few urges I've had is working.
Saturday is the hardest day,but any thought of gambling is quashed - my mindset is clear;if I did a £300 acca on so called cert footy teams,the chances of me walking away with the winnings are zero,win = lose;lose=lose.
No point.
28 days where I've not punched a wall,kicked a bin,shouted at the kids for something trivial and felt stresssed;miserable and worthless.
I am breaking the habit.
Just for today I shall not gamble
Day 29,up early with the little one,not good as I had a few pints yesterday afternoon,went to a xmas party with the kids.
At first I didn't know anyone,sat there feeling a bit awkward,did start to think I wish I was at home watching atr and sky sports,but as the arvo went on I become more sociable,did enjoy myself,but seriously considering goin t total in the new year.
In my head gambling must be a comfort an escape,boredom relief,that's probably why it's been so hard to quit,thats things I must work on,time is my friend.
Deep thought's for 6 o'clock on a sunday morn! breakfast rime,just for today I shall not gamble.
Day 30,a busy wkd,defo helps keep my mind on track.
No thoughts of gambling,lost interest on any other football apart from my team who are doing well,can watch horse racing no probs,avoiding 20/20 cricket at the moment,my favourite sport to bet on.
Busy week planned,work till xmas eve,but must reinforce a self exclusion boxing day at a local bookies,keeping these barriers up is a must.
Just for today I shall not gamble
Day 31,cancelled debit card yesterday to take out the option of payday loans,there what have done the damage.
The ability to gain a quick grand in 10 minutes when your chasing loses is like a heroin addict being loaned a bag of heroin.
I don't want to gamble;but don't trust myself yet;it's a long journey.
Another happy stress free day ahead,just for today I shall not gamble
Hi Trigger,
You sound so much like where I am, I have recently joined this site and the opening threads of your story rings true to me. I dont have to blow hundreds / thousands and feel like I have let myself and everyone around me down, even just £5 I feel guilty for! A bet is a bet i guess irrespective of the value. But I have accrued £00K of debt over the last 2 years the addiction has got me hooked in.
And I hear what you are saying about the payday loans too, they are the devil! I cant believe the damage they do and for the next few months I am going to have to use them to get through the next month whilst I pay everything off, its such a mess. Any decent banks wont touch me now due to the loan sharks and all their friends leaving a ridiculous number of footprints on my credit file 🙁
Amazing that you have got to day 31 - well done and you journey is an inspiration for me to follow!
Keep strong and happy, peace out for now
Day 34;ni thoughts of gambling,just enjoying a family xmas.
Heard some sad news yesterday a young lad I knew many years ago committed suicide just before Xmas, apparently he had a drink/gambling problems.
I remember him probably 20 years ago liking the small flutter,I haven't seen him for years,so sad,just brings home what misery gambling brings.
Of to play with the kids new toys,happy boxing day everyone.
Hi trigger,I'm quite new to the forum,but I try and read one diary a day if I can,I've just read through yours,there are so many of us who could write the same story it's frightening,well done on starting afresh and keep up the good work pal!
Thanks blue,appreciate the support,you're right this hidden illness is an epidemic in this country,so many suffer from it,we're the wise ones for admitting our problem and trying to do something about it.
Day 35,-5 weeks today, flown by,pretty pain free,mainly because I'm not missing anything pleasurable.My gambling was not social anymore,all on line - a secret addiction.
Only thing that grinds me down is the debts,not been able to lower them till after Xmas,ive just got to be patient.
Gambling is a lose lose situation,i even watched the racing yesterday,i had no regrets if I picked a winner cos the money is all fantasy,you can never win,any winnings are just gambling tokens.
just for today I shall not gamble
Hi trigger,
Well done on 5 weeks.
Suzanne xx
Hi Trigger, I just read through your diary and you describe many of my own wretched feelings. I have lost interest in all sport since stopping gambling and feel a lot better for it because it consumed by life and deprived me of quality time with my family. Can I just ask why you still watch horse racing? I tried to carry on following it in the past while not betting but eventually got sucked into betting again. I think it is safer to steer clear altogether. It is a sport so heavily associated with betting that I think you are playing with fire watching it. Just my thoughts for what they are worth!
Day 36 - Thanks for your post pelle, as I explained I've no probs watching racing at the moment,as my mindset is I can't win as I can't stop,picking any winners is irrelevant to me as I know I would lose any potential winnings on the next race/basketball game/tiddlywink game - I have no control where gambling is concerned.
In my defence ive only watched quality racing as i enjoy it, and having 2 weeks off;looking after 2 little n's as my missus is at work,naff all on tv,boredom does set in.
Anyway it's another potential downfall I have to be wary of.
Another family day today;a bit of work in the garden planned.
Just for today I shall not gamble
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