Last Gamble 30th August 2009

Day 88

Went out for a few beers last night, had good fun with mates. Came home and left them to it, they went on to the casino, so I am glad I came home when I did. I doubt I would have gone along in any case.

I will not gamble today.

Jim

Hi Jim

Just wanted to say hi, hope you are ok and had a good night out wth mates last night. Glad you did not end up going into the casino!

Would just like to say what i like about your diary and that is the determination you have to quit and to quit for good! Since i have been on this site which now is about 5 months just over and i have seen many come and go after one ppst. You have some great gamble free time behind you and its realy good to read.... I do hope your life is improving because of it.

take care and i wish you all the best, ands

Thanks Ands, my life is much better without gambling! The money is going to be tight as I, like most people who end up giving up gambling have got to slowly dig myself out of the hole I created. But emotinally my life is a thousand times better, it is nice not to worry about yeastery.

Many members of this site do only seem to last a very short time, but we both know how tough the first few days and weeks are. I hope they all can improve their life by removing gambling.

I will not gamble today.

Really Ands thank you, it is a long and hard battle and some encouragement really is priceless.

Jim (Day 89)

Hi Jim

Thanks for posting on my diary, i hope you are ok. totally relate to the financial mess we get ourselves into whilst gambling, our brains seem to disappear and we lose all normal thinking..well i do anyway! I actually think it is harder to deal with the emotional stuff, the guilt, the regrets, the hurt and pain to others. Counselling for me was just too hard, but it did help, i am day 150 today, i have had one slip up which is now over 11wks ago, i learnt a lesson from my slip up and that is gambling realy does not solve any problems whatsoever just make them 100 times worse.....

Anyway Jim, sorry for rambling on. You are doing great in your recovery, keep going a battle very much worth winning!!!

Take care and i hope you have a good gamble free weekend...ands

Thanks Ands, I am fine and hope you are too.

It is Day 90 for me today. I am in a good place today, Sunday will be three whole months and nothing makes me happier at the mo than the feeling of the progress I have made. Not having to worry about bank statements, missed bills, credit card balances increasing. All is set for a great Christmas.

I am going out this afternoon to watch the rugby, so need to be a little careful as there will be beers involved and my guard will be slightly down.

I will not gamble today.

Cheers, Jim

Hi Jim

Thanks for the post m8 .Im gkad to hear you work your addiction the same as me, and well done on the 90 days.

I will say Jim ive got a bit of time off at christmas and it is a bit worrying, because of the boredom.But like you im glad to start having my wages to myself its a great feeling . I dont know about you but i used to work out my debts each week and counted my gambling as one of them,so i was always expecting to lose before i ever laid out a penny lol.I have got all my money together for christmas now it is in the bank ,now one time i would have given my missus the money to get the presents before the weekend,because i knew that no matter how much i needed it i would still gamble it away.Its nice to see you doing so well Jim. All the best Jeff.

Thanks Jeff,

It is my 91st day and I went out for beers yesterday - a few urges but nothing too bad, I didn't really come close to gambling.

At the beginning of my recovery I used to dread weekends because of the spare time... it has always been a problem. But I have been off work (at home) on hol's this week with no problem or urges, and the weekends come and go without any worries. This is the progress which really makes a positive difference to my life.... so much less stress and no guilt!

i am so much happier now than I have been in years its unbelivable.

Cheers, Jim.

P.s. I am sure I could have said that in far less words, but who cares.

Hi Jim

Thanks for posting on my diary, hope you are ok and had a good weekend. You are certainly sounding positive, great to read mate and congrats on the 3 months gamble free (more than that now tho!)....

Keep going mate, the urges will fade in time but hey reckon you know that anyway!!

Take care mate, catch you soon and i hope you have a good gamble free week ahead, all the best... ands

Thanks Ands,

I am on day 94 which is great, I am approaching 100 days which is a big target of mine. Bring it on, I will not gamble.

Cheers, Jim

Roll on 100 days Jim ,youre making it seem easy.Excellent determination kid. A role model for us all. Keep up the good work m8,all the best Jeff.

Hi Jim

Your diary is seriously a great read, as i said before your determination is shining through, great work mate...You are making it sound so easy, but we both know it certainly is not!!

Congrats on the approaching 100 days, you are doing exceptionally well!

all the very best jim, take care...ands

Thanks for the compliment Ands, cheers.

Day 97 and am still going strong. I went out last night on the works Christmas party and have been moving slow today, the party was heading for the Casino shortly after 1 this morning so I came home. Some mixedemotions as I am disapointed that I can't trust/control myself to go in for a drink but was happy I didn't this morning and I hate the place too. But all is good!

I will make my 100 days on Tuesday and cannot wait.

Thanks, Jim.

I will not gamble today.

P.s. I just saw your post Jeff, thank you for your support too, this forum and the members is a masive part of my recovery. Thank you.

Day 98

I am having a pretty good weekend, no urges to gamble. Weekends are far easier than they used to be, no comparison! I am about to do some Xmas shopping, not my fave passtime but I will make the most of it.

Thanks, Jim

hi dazzler,

went through your diary. congrats on nearing 100 days. i am struggling in my initial phase but hopefully will sail through.

its very encouraging and motivating to see that we can survive without gambling

have a nice sunday.

Hi Jim

Thanks for posting on my diary, great to read that you are going as strong as ever, i know this is a day early but huge congrats on 100 days! i hope you are proud of yourself, your recovery is going great and long may it continue!

take care mate, ands