Join me on my road to recovery

Just a quick update: last few days gone really well since the slip up. keeping busy and not had any urges to gamble at all which is good. Hope everyone else's weekends going well.

Will check in again soon.

Paul

Sorry I haven't updated in a week but been very busy!! Have to say since my relapse during Cheltenham week I've found it difficult everyday with urges & thinking about gambling again. It's strange as the previous 7 weeks of being GF I had no urges and rarely thought about gambling. However since all the media coverage a few weeks ago surrounding the Cheltenham Festival I stupidly relapsed when I was just short of 50 days GF. I've found the last few weeks really tough thinking about gambling and really having to battle urges (which thankfully I have and I've not given in). Hopefully as time goes by I feel myself getting stronger again and the urges subside and I can put these last few weeks of struggle behind me.

Takecare

Paul

At least you are being honest Paul. But you really need to make sure those blocks are in place . You've relapsed once and you already thinking about gambling a lot . So it's crucial you either don't have access to funds or don't have access to gambling . I wish you all the best because as you know we've horse racing there's always another race round the corner (grand national coming up) maybe aim for a couple of less daunting targets first like getting to two weeks , then a month, then 50 etc... see how you feel then . Good luck it's not easy . Keep posting

Hi pwm101,

I have blocking software now installed as my problem is not horse racing betting it's online slots. Even though Cheltenham is all about horse racing there was so many new sign up offers etc I stupidly got suckered in after nearly 50 days GF, that's why I got so annoyed as I had made such a good start. But at least the software has stoped any new relapse which is great. I'm keeping busy and the urges aren't as bad now so hopefully I can kick on again.

Thanks very much for your comment! I always appreciate everyone's feedback/comments.

Paul

Had a really good week last week and have remained completely GF! Upto 12 days now gf and I'm more positive than ever after my slip up during Cheltenham week to beat the 42 days GF I had built upto that point and go beyond that! Obviously I don't want to ever bet again but setting short term realistic targets like 20, 50, 100 days GF is very achievable for me then just keep going.

I hope everyone else is doing well. Thanks for reading and I will update as always in a few days.

Paul

Hi everyone!!

Sorry I haven't updated for a few weeks just been really busy.

I will do a quick recap: I had gone 42 days GF but had a 2 small relapses during Cheltenham festival week. My issue has never been the horses it's online casino/slots betting. I stupidly took up one of the promotional offers available & wasted a few hundred pound. Since then to get back on track I have installed blocking software which has been amazing for me personally. As all my issues are online & not in betting shops this has completely stopped my ability to gamble now online. I have been 23 days now GF since the relapse during Cheltenham week and I have had a few urges but knowing I can't access it has been fantastic as I just forget it and get on with my life!!

I'm determined now with everything I have in place that this is my opportunity to try and be completely GF and not be in the grip of this horrible addiction. If I had installed the software from the beginning I would be 80 days GF now but the relapse was the wake up call I needed to show me I needed stronger & tighter controls which I now have. I also do 1-1 counciling and combined I feel I'm making huge progress.

I will of course keep updating more regularly and all comments & feedback appreciated.

Paul

39 days GF and going great!! Everything I have put in place has worked perfectly and rarely ever think about betting lately. Hope everyone's having a great bank holiday weekend!!

Paul

Lovely to read Paul. Keep striding forward.

Take care.

Our Lady

Thankyou Our Lady!! Really appreciate the support.

Paul

Thought I would post a quick update! Coming upto 50 days GF and haven't felt this good in "a long time"!! Thanks to willpower, 1-1 counciling, software blockers and determination gambling isn't something that now dominates my life, in fact I hardly think about it!!

I'm not complacent at all but I know I won't go back to it as I have my life back and everything in place to continue my journey of recovery. Life is so much better without the worry, stress and pain everyday that gambling causes. It's only when you stop for good you realise how much you've actually been missing out on!!

Hope everyone else is doing well! Keep it up everyone.

Paul

Great to see and hear you so positive Paul, keep fighting the good fight!

Julie x

Thanks Julie!! Always good to hear from you. Hope your doing well??

Am okay Paul, things could be a little better, but I just need to make some changes...it will all be fine though x

Mini-milestone for me today 50 days GF!!!!! Although others I know have done much longer, for me this is a big achievement!

As I said in previous posts it's going great with everything I have in place and look forward to getting to my next milestone 100 days now!

Paul 🙂

Hi Paul.

Just wanted to say a huge congratulations for reaching your first major milestone! Really happy to read all is still going well for you. Have a lovely day today and make sure you treat yourself to something, no matter how small.

Take care and continue doing well.

Our Lady