Lets try this again...Day Zero

Thanks Deano and KT93.

You are right. We don't have to do this alone.

Day 3 will be completed in less than an hour. Very happy. Having people around helps me a lot. So does this site. Thanks all.

Hi JJT

I think the that the most positive sign is that you keep trying, which should prove to yourself that you want to do this.

In my experience, by far the most important step is to block all of your devices. I am on probably my 5th attempt to quit, but the 1st with absolutely no access to gambling sites. This takes the temptation to gamble away from you. If you are anything like me, the urge can strike with little notice. If you have the correct blocks in place, it is nigh on impossible to any longer give in to impulsive gambling. This in turn allows you more time to think about the consequences rationally, and hopefully fight them off. I do not trust myself, but this in the early stages does not matter, as I cannot gamble without going out and buying a new laptop or phone to satisfy my craving(A little extreme even by my standards). It makes little difference self excluding from anywhere online, as a fresh search for online casnos/bookmakers each day will reveal probably another 10 sites that you are not excluded from, it is the ability to find them that you need to remove.

All the best with your recovery and try and concentrate on the positives and the feelings of well being that this will create,

Stay strong

Russ.

Day 4

Thanks Russ. Great advice there.

Hard Monday at work with no time to even think of gambling.

It's strange that now I think of visiting this site more than I think of gambling which I think is good.

Bring on day 5.

Hey JJT, just read through all your diary and although you had a couple of slips at the beginning, you were completely honest and brushed yourself off and got back on it. Congratulations on 4 days. The first week is tough. At least your wife is home now and I'm sure you can find better things to do

Day 5

Too true wishicouldstop. Can find much better things to do with the wife.

Day 5 has been OK. Nothing special. Thinking less about lost profit each day and more about how lucky I am it was profit and not savings.

Looking forward to getting the first week under my belt.

Two more days. I can do it.

Day 6

Nearly reached 1 week. Today was good. Starting to think less and less of gambling.

Complete tomorrow and that will be the first of many I hope.

Not had much time to read other diaries so apologies for that but will make some time this weekend.

JJT you sound exactly like me. The fact is you're recognising the demon and fighting it big time. Getting angry with yourself is all part of the fight. It's obvious that you want to win the battle and I know that you will. I got used to not beating myself up after a slip up and without thinking just hit the self exclusion button again. I go months sometimes without playing and then get tempted but if I do it's the self exclusion button very quickly and the demon is gone again. You don't need to start back at day one all the time. You reached day 6 and that's brilliant . The demon is at day zero and will try and follow you but you will just keep getting further away until it dies of exhaustion! Great posts.

Day 7

Made it through a week. So happy. I knew I could do it. Now even if I try to think of the lost profit I don't even get annoyed. Acceptance is finally here. Woohoo.

Thanks silversurfer. I have read your posts and some good advice. You said your story could fill a book and you would like to become agambling counsellor. Why not start by typing up your story and self publish online. It is so easy nowdays and plenty of tutorials online. I would like to read it.

1 week done. Thanks for support all.

Day 8

Pretty standard day at work. No issues. Thinking less and less of gambling. Starting to think more about life.

Yeah well done on having an honest diary JJT. Keep the faith and stay away from the slots. Every £20 is worth something so don't throw anymore away. You're on the right path.

Well done 2 week done and started the next one. Great to see your keeping the creature away. Did you manage to get blocking daft wate in place?

KTF

Day 9

Thanks change and KTF for your support. Yea got some blocking software and set up router.

So I have a little confession. I did not gamble or anything but I had left one site which exclusion would have been ending in June. I was planning to stay gamble free till then and try my luck.

I have been so happy last few days and it hit me that if I reactivated that site in June I know full well that I would end up losing. Even when we win we lose right. As the saying goes the more we win the more we lose. I managed to think rationally and sent an email this morning requesting the exclusion period be extended to maximum/permenant. Got a reply within an hour and 5 year exclusion confirmed. Get in.

Double figures will be reached tomorrow. So happy.

Hope everyone else is doing OK. Will try find some time to read other diaries tomorrow and support others.

Ciao

Hi JJT,

Well done on your GF days and what a victory to self exclude that last site that was due to reopen. It clearly shows your commitment to the fight against gambling. One day , all these sites will go under because of sites like this . Well, that's the dream!

Smart move closing that door no point keeping it ajar. Like you say you can't win because you can't stop. Keep up the good work and well done on hitting double figures.

KTF