DAY 6
It feels really good to get as far as this but there are a lot of things going on for me relationship wise, as well as in terms of gambling. I want to get myself in a situation where no personal difficulty will cause me to gamble. The time, money, location triangle - I am using that. However, I am resourceful and even if those things were in place, I can find a way to gamble if I wanted to so the best thing to work on is ME. Not drinking, taking the punches life throws at me and being comfortable with having money (when I next get paid). I think it is going to be three months before I am back to normal financially.
Hi johnjoseph
My advice to you would be to be patient and dont rush things.
You will be amazed how quickly things will turn around for you.
Try and enjoy your daily achievements and take pride in every day that passes gamble free.
Things do become sweeter.
Stay strong
DAY 6 PM
Well day 6 is over, I got through. Now some Netflix...
DAY 7
It has been a week since I started on this journey, my second major attempt to give up. At present things feel good as I am doing therapy and I have also given up alcohol. Exercising on a regular basis helps too. I did get a bit of a pang today and thought about going into an arcade but I know what would happen:-
1. Big win - feel great for a while, then go into another gambling place (arcade or bookies) and play until very much depleted, or more likely LOSE. Go to 3 or 4.
2. Small win - not enough, go for the Big Win. Get it and go to (1), otherwise LOSE. Go to 3 or 4.
3. LOSE and walk (unlikely)
4. LOSE and chase (more likely) so BIG LOSS
So whichever way you look at it logically it means a LOSS. So no gambling for me today! One day at a time...
DAY 8
I can not lie, it has been a hard day emotionally. I have no addictions operating at the moment and it is hard to feel so raw and like an adult with nothing to distract me. I find myself actively looking for other addictions to get involved in. How crazy! I need therapy, but I am running out of money as I spent it earlier in the month gambling. Still got AA tonight. What a tough day, hard to get through, but feel a bit better now. Life CAN be good. Have to face my problems and issues head on, new for me.
DAY 8
Day 8 is done, one day at a time, that's all I have to do...
DAY 9
It is now day 9 and I had a bit of an urge today but it seems to have gone as I am distracted with other things. Financially, things are going to be bad for the next three months by my estimation and so I need to keep this diary for 90 days, at least, and then keep on with a lifetime of not gambling. I am doing AA, not GA, but time poor for anything else so this online diary is going to be my recovery mechanism. Keep on keeping on...
DAY 9
Day 9 is over. Feels good to be on double figures tomorrow. Now for a big mug of tea and some TV.
DAY 10
Off to the gym now. It's a family birthday weekend so busy. After gym, putting up a patio table from some very large Argos boxes and then wrapping presents.
DAY 10
Well that's day 10 over. No gambling. This is a very pragmatic diary - one day at a time.
DAY 11
Over 10 days, good news. I will post a more extensive update, but going one day at a time.
DAY 11
Goodnight. Life can be tough, but life with gambling is MUCH tougher.
One day at a time...
DAY 12
Still not gambling. Payday next week - can start to get back to normal, will take me 90 days...
DAY 13
Work today - keep busy!
DAY 13
It will be two weeks tomorrow - making good progress. Need to keep my guard up.
Doing spredsheet tomorrow....
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