Life is changing

Welcome Andy, you are in the right place heading in the right direction of gambling free and having a normal healthy lifestyle full of joy and being happy.

Glad to see you have started clean and using the tools Gamcare offers. Read some diary posts as i have recently and take everyones advice it's worth every read. Welcome again look forward to reading your journey to beat this horrid addiction. we are all on the same path and you are not alone. I am only 9 days in myself so not really qualified to say to much but i can tell you this i have slept well for 9 days and being G free is awesome.

CasinoRoyaLoser

Hi Andy,

You have come to the right place, as we are all the same here. All Compulsive Gambler's that are trying to gain a new lease of life.

I like you have tried to stop on numerous occasion's and could for a couple of week's every now and then, but would alway's end up getting back into it somehow.

This time is different though, I have been off for 4 months and what I did this time that was different was that I put barrier's in place to control my urge's if they come(which occasionally they do, especially in the first month)

Here are a few step's to consider:

1.Hand your finances over to someone you can trust and get them to agree to give you a certain amount each day/week for your expenses. Having no money at hand is key.

2.Self exclude yourself from casino's, bookie's online site's(K9 is a free gamblocker that you can download) basically wherever it is that you go.

3.Talk to someone close to you and explain what your going through, I know this is never easy, but it definately help's in the long run.

4.See a councellor, I myself went to Gambler's Anonymous meetings and still do when I can. It's soothing to hear that other's were or still are in this situation and there is a way out. The advice I got here was key to me.

5.Post regulary on this website and read other people's storie's and the steps they are taking that relate to you especially.

6.Join the 2014 challenge in the 'overcoming gambling' section of this site. It's a strong group of people that help, encourage and listen to each other.

Hope this help's,

Scambling

Hey up Andy,

Good on you for starting this. I would say im fairly similiar to yourself in respect off I would convince myself i didnt really have a problem and then an horrendous cycle off win/loss & euphoria/despair would kick in. Thankfully now at the stage where i realise short off winning the lottery anything I win will probably get squandered and then some more for good measure.

Take it slow dont beat yourself up and try not to think about the losses as it could lure you back in again. There are many good wise and helpful people on here who can help. However when it comes to it YOU are the only one who can kick it and i wish you all the best.

B

Cheers for the posts, nearly made it another day so all is good, didn't really have chance to think today which has been good and I no I'm extreamly busy Wednesday and Thursday, get paid on Friday so that's going to be a test. I WILL BEAT THIS. Thanks again

Another good day. Had contact with a counseller and I'm going to see her on the 9th April, hoping that I can go there and say been gamble free for nearly two weeks,

Andy

Day 5 and going ok, thoughts have popped in to my head today as every where I seem to go there on about bloody aintree this weekend but not going there, staying strong,

Well done Andy 5 days is a great achievement. Yup Aintree will be tough for me but I guess you have to look at it as just another race that you want to avoid betting on.

Take each day as it comes and you can beat this horrible addiction.

Regards

Craig

Getting through another day, been a little tough today with everyone asking who I'm backing in the national 2mora, but still going and keeping strong, taking the little man out 2mora then out for mates birthday so should be busy enough,

Stay strong people

Andy

WOW you sound so positive and im proud of you for curbing it especially this weekend if you pass this weekend then that is a real tribute to yourself.

Keep strong and have fun with your mates

CainoRoyaLoser

Day 8 and through the weekend which is good, Saturday was tough bu managed, new week begins

Hi,

Just a note to say well done, I know what you were going through yesterday, it's hard when people ask without knowing but let them waste their money and you keep all of yours so you can choose what to spend it on, rather than the demons inside controlling you.....

Sounds like you are keeping busy so really hope it continues for you.

Best wishes,

Laura

Hi king1984,

Have read through your posts and just wanted to offer u support and congrats on getting through to 8 days!

I'm currently 5 days away from 4months without a bet! Be strong and take each day as it comes! Remember, the longer u abstain the easier it will be! U will gain so much confidence in yourself with every bet free day

Keep up the good work

Thank you everyone for your posts.

Can't believe I've made it to double figures, feeling a lot better this week, signed up to the gym yesterday so I can start training again, so I'll be in the gym 4/5 times a week, feels good to reach double figures, still going to see counseller on Friday as don't want to start thinking it's easy and slip up, hope everyone is well and staying strong.

Andy

Day 13 today and if anything getting stronger,

Been at gym everyday this week and really enjoying it, even though it's right next to the 2 bookmakers, got a stag do in Poland then holiday in Spain in next couple of months so going to concentrate on getting the abs back to when I was fighting (5yrars ago).

Hard work but it's given me a goal and I'm determined to get there. Lost 2 pound in wieght since Monday, I'll keep a record on how I get on down there, might even get back in the ring if all goes well. Think positive, believe in yourself and stay strong,