Last Gamble 30th August 2009

Day 149

Doing fine no urges, busy at work but all is good.

Cheers, Jim

Day 150!!!

Yaaay. I will not gamble today.

Jim

Day 154

Not much to report s**t week and peed off but I haven't gambled. I haven't really thought about it, went away for the weekend and there were bookies everywhere in the towns I visited, it seems the recession hasn't effected them too badly. I dont liss gambling one jot, am a bit suprised but I don't.

Cheers, Jim

Well done on the gamble-free time Jim. I haven't been counting days but I just checked my first diary post and realised that I've been gamble-free since 5 August 2009. So we're both on pretty much the same timescale here. I must admit I'd never thought of it as being 180-odd days. You've just passed the snooker maximum; I'm coming up to the darts maximum!

I think we're also on about the same level of detachment from gambling, which makes sense. Getting annoyed within a few weeks of stopping could lead to gambling, but as you have written here, there have been no such thoughts. It's good to know you can control the emotion-based gambling at this stage; but you can never be complacent. There's people on this forum who've lasted more than twice as long as us and ended up gambling again.

I guess like any addiction you crave it for a while, then you start to crave it less, and half a year in you're pretty much apathetic. You wonder what the attraction was in the first place. I don't miss it either. Life is much better now.

All the best,

SGL

Hi Jim

Just wanted to pop in and say hi, sorry to read that your peed off, well done for not gambling to try and hide those emotions....

Your recovery is flawless and i hope very much it continues.

Take care, ands

Thanks Ands,

Feel better today, dont know why I feel different another hectic work week. I still havent gambled which makes it 157 days, Yaay... homing in on my second big target 200 days!

I haven't really thought about gambling this week walked past the local bookies earlier and recognised the guy working there.... kept on walking without even thinking about going in. Head down keep on going.

Cheers, Jim

Hi Jim

Thanks for posting on my diary, hope you are well, those 200 days will soon arrive im sure. Your doing great mate, a little thought for you, when do we stop counting the days??? cos as you know i too count the days lol! sorry...

Take care mate, ands

Day 159,

My aim is 10,000 days... so I suppose I will keep on counting for the next 26 years and 206 days! Ha there is a thought! Thanks Ands! Lol!

I am doing pretty well, work has been hectic all week but kind of enjoyable.

I have packed in smoking... for a couple of reasons, firstly my health and secondly to speed up the repayment of gambling debts, I am on three weeks and doing pretty well. It is easier to give up smoking when you haven't got the stress of gambling.... I think.

Anyway if I can beat this its off to the monestry for me! Feeling good have a great weekend all.

Cheers,

Brother Jim.

Day 160.

Its the weekend and its an international weekend.... Yaay! Cant wait to watch the rugby.

I am so chuffed with my recovery, I was at an absolute low on day 1 of this diary and I have to pinch myself when I think of how far I have come.

It is true life is much better without gambling.

No need to scream out loud, no need to shake the steering wheel, no need to lie, no need to move money around to cover my tracks, no need to try and get to the post before my mrs.

No incontrollable shaking because I have lost two months wages in one sitting.

I will not gamble today.

Jim

Hi Jim

Looks like ive got a good future ahead of me. You seem chuffed to bits kid Well done on day 160 .All the best Jeff.

Day 161 (23 weeks)

Went out yesterday had beers watched the rugby - good day was had! I have a headache this morning. Didn't gamble, my brother did a small bet, but it has never been a problem for him. Strange how some people chase their losses and some just take it on the chin, it makes a massive difference to a life.

I wasn't tempted to gamble yesterday and I came home early as I had enough to drink. So, I feel pretty good today and am looking forward to another gamble free week.

Cheers, Jim

Hi Jim

Just wanted to thankyou realy, im bringing my diary to an end it has been a godsend for me, your diary is like i have said before, on numerous times, lol, a great read...

Jim i wish you all the very best, you and your diary have been an inspiration..take care mate..andrew

Thanks Andrew,

You are very kind, I am glad my diary has helped someone else and not just me.

I am on day 164, which is good! Not much happening other than work being a pain, but feel ok and will not gamble today.

Thanks, Jim

Day 166

Its the weekend again, yeeha. I used to dread the weekends as I was most likely to blow my attempt to give up gambling and I am suprised that they aren't bad at all now!! I turned a big corner at some point.

My gambling was a complete nightmare, I have lost a huge amount of money and lots of time too and it all comes down to this, taking one day at a time and trying to put the pieces of my life that remain back together. I hate what gambling turned me into but I am in a good place now and am not going to blow this.

I will not gamble today or tomorrow for that matter.

Thanks, Jim

Day 167

Watching the sport on tele, having a good day no desire to gamble, just plodding along really.

Wont be long and I will make the 6 month target, bring it on.

Cheers, Jim