Last Gamble 30th August 2009

Hi Jim

I think you will hit every target put infront of you m8 you are going really strong keep it up kid Jeff.

hi Jim

thanks for your post on my diary.

Almost six months...well done.

It feels good doesnt it?

Keep going and keep doing what you are doing, it obviously works.

all the best

Jim (last bet 22/04/06)

Cheers Guys for your posts.

Day 168 (24 weeks), Not much to report here, just ticking along and loving not gambling, 24 weeks doesn't sound like long but I feel like a different person in that short period of time. My families life is so much better without gambling.

I am going to spend some money which previously would have been speant on gambling on my wife.

Happy Valentines.

Jim

Day 169

Crapp day in work, but everything else is good, going along quite nicely.

Cheers, Jim

Hi Dazzler must be 170 days now bet free. Looks great from here -) Going to get round to reading a few more diarys of those I aint read much on. Congrats on coming so far. All the best Blocked.

Day 175

I have had a few 'urges' this week which is weird as it has been a while. So I am gonna read my diary from start to finish.

I will not gamble today.

Cheers, Jim

Day 177

I will not gamble today.

Cheers, Jim

I have not read all of your posts but i have read parts of it and it really has some positive stuff in there..and I felt a bit emotional about it....I am only on day 3...and so I congratulate you on your success...and you are the real winner..!

good work!

Thanks Dervkidd, the diary was never meant to j**k peoples emotions, I never really thought about that before....

I am far from cured - I know. Hang on in there it does get better and it is worth it honestly.

I dont have much advice but what I do have is (1) swallow your pride and exclude yourself from wherever you go it makes it much easier and you will feel better for it. (2) dont carry cash or cards that you dont need if possible only have a atm card no credit or debit cards (3) track your progress in a diary, read it back when you feel tempted. (4) maybe specific to me but when out for beers if you feel the urge to gamble and have the oppurtunity go home even if its 8 o'clock and the partys just starting. (5) Set targets and celebrate reaching them.

Thats it... I think that is all I do. My gambling is infamous within the city I live in, if I can do it I am pretty sure we all can.

Determination will get us through.

Day 178 - I will not gamble today.

Jim

Hi Dazzler, just read through some of your diary for the first time.

You mentioned a month or so ago that nothing much was happening and that you were just plodding along. I noted at the beginning of your diary that you have been gambling for 15 years well you have already almost reached 6 months gambling free. If that is plodding I want to be a plodder.

What you have achieved is fantastic and I applaud your courage and determination to beat this thing. You know that difficult times may lay ahead but you always keep your guard up so I am confident that you will go all the way. I am almost 3 months in myself after 36 years and so far so good but like you I know that I must forever more be on guard.

Very best wishes

Stumper

Thanks Stumper,

I refuse to leave my guard down as I have made that mistake before, its just not worth it. 15 years is how long it has been a really serious problem, before that I just used to gamble everything I had. 15 years ago I started gambling with everything I didn't have.

Anyway, I am doing pretty good enjoying my weekend. Saw a friend last night, I mentioned him some time ago in this diary as he had gone for councilling to try and give up gambling. He lasted a while but the last two days he has been playing up and I saw him last night he was really stressed, I leant him some money, I suppose I should have said no, but his head had completely gone!

I really hate gambling, even when I dont gamble it effects my life as it destroys good friends.

I will not gamble today.

Cheers, Jim

great to see what you have achieved,and that you are still aware of the threats.

Strange the reversal of roles with your friend,must be difficult to lend to a gambler,but you also know the pain.

A place we now want to stay well clear of.

best Wishes

micheal42

Hi Jim

I think it wouldnt matter that you leant your m8 money,if he hadnt got it off you he would have gotten it somewhere else.You have helped him out already and if he finds it difficult to adjust then you are his m8 you will still be there for him.Keep up the good posting jim.All the best Jeff.

Cheers Guys,

Youre right he did get money from other places too, he called and asked me to lend him £500, as he would rather owe one person than a few?? I had to say no, I haven't got it. If I did have it I would have said no anyway, he is gonna have to sort this financial mess out himself. I chatted to another friend and he had been asked him too, what a mess.

Anyway I am doing good and today is my 6 month mark!! Fantastic, I have been looking forward to this one for a long time. My next big goal will be a whole year.

Day 182 I will not gamble today.

Thanks for all the support through the last 6 months.

Jim

Hi Jim

Thanks as always for posting on my diary, just dropping by and would like to congratulate you on the 6 months! Great work... Sure your make you next goal, oh and not sure what day im on now but i too am gamble free!!

All the best to you, take care and catch you soon. ands,

ps i hate gambling its f*****g s**t, lol!!

bye til next time, keep battling on mate.