Life With Sports Bets Only

Cheers for the post Captain.

I do know you mate and you are right. Our former betting habits are very alike. I also know you are not going to quit full stop and in fairness you have never hidden that fact.

My only concern is that you seem to be managing to stick to your controlled betting but it seems like torture for you. I hope things get easier for you and that you stick on the path you are on now.

If not then there are only two other paths to take. A return to betting on anything and everything or an effort to bet on nothing at all.

As i know you are not going to stop betting completely i just hope you manage to find a bit of peace with your present chosen path.

Whatever happens though Captain you will always have my support.

Day 43

I have an easy day at work today, wish they were all like that, there are 2 people off sick so 2 less to manage and they werent due to do anything critical today anyway.

No meetings today so I can just sit and do my work.

At lunchtime I am a portrait of peace. I am calm, relaxed and happy that my life is a bit better. I wander along in the March sunshine and blue sky overhead and feel I can make a lunchtime detour.

I have not been into the bookies at lunchtime for 6 weeks but today I enter. I read the sports pages of the Racing Post for 10 minutes and pick up a football coupon. There is obviously random rubbish going on but I am today oblivious to it. I have no interest in getting involved in it whatsoever. Changed days.

Hi captain,

it was a beautiful sunny day in my part of the world too 🙂

Glad to read from your last post that you are noticing positive changes in your mood, outlook and lifestyle. It is a lovely feeling when you actually notice the results from all the urge-resisting!

I absolutely love the way jas tentatively suggested a short break from all betting to see how you go. she is a star! It is so easy to come across as patronising and telling people what to do on here. She avoided that beautifully I thought.

Anyways, I kind of agree, but am in no position to preach or judge because I struggle to stay abstinent myself at times.

It is early days for you captain, and I think you are making great progress! it takes time to fully accept the mechanics of this addiction.

I wish you well, and hope you can find a balance that you are both happy with, and can maintain.

Take care,

f x

Hi C,

I'm in the library....long story.

I see the sun is shining on you.....and well done for ignoring al the random stuff in the bookies. Actually, there is a bookies right opposite me now as I look out of the window.....here's me a cg and never dared go in there.

Hope work is kind to you today.

Jas x

"Love Don't Live here Anymore".....is that a repeater?

Hi Capt

Nice to see you in chat last night.

Gald to see your strategy is goin well for you.

I know it is a difficult one for many of us to understand,for me i am way to afraid to attempt something like that...as i wouldnt mind the odd football bet,but also the shock of the way my life has been i need a radical change. I havent enjoyed gambling for a very long time it was an escape and an addiction.i am gald that is over.trying to rebuild now it will be slow but worth it.

Best Wishes

micheal42

Day 45

An ex-colleague is in touch. They know I was out of work a while back and in debt. ( They dont know the debt was mostly gambling related. ). They make a comment that I must be doing well now. I cant tell them I am in more debt now than I was when I wasnt working!

They think I must be going on flash holidays and buying stuff for myself. The sad thing is that even if I did have the money I'm not sure I'd spend it - its been so long since I had any money I'd be in a state of shock I think.

I have to continually present an image for others to avoid the truth. But providing my recovery continues the image will become reality at some point.

Hello C,

I'm really with you on your last post. My gambling debts have pretty much put a stop to my spending....and I cover it up too. What business is is to anybody i say. If they can't help you either financially or in a support role then why spill the beans? That's my take on it.

People, wrongly, assume we are pretty much sorted. I wear a mask constantly....that's because I live in a village and they are all nosey so and so's. One day I might lose it and decide to walk round with a sandwich board declaring I am a cg and I have racked up debts which will take years to pay off...hahaha.

I just wanted you to know you definitely aren't the only one who feels like you do. Time will heal this for us all, we just have to be patient. The debts will get paid and your respect for cash....cash which you have worked really hard for C....will return.

Jas x

Hi Captain,

I noticed in one of your posts, you said you are willing to have the odd sleepless night and angry feelings to do with gambling. Why not try stopping completely for a few weeks at least and see if you can be even happier without sleepless nights and angry feelings. I know I am sleeping a lot better in the last few days and my relatinship with my gf has improved 100%

Hey Captain

Thats when you know you are doing well.When your old friends notice the big difference in you.Keep it up m8 Jeff.

I can relate very well to that post Captain,as you know i'm pretty much potless,and in debt....,most of my very close friends are aware of both my gambling and financial problems....,i'm still in touch with a couple of my former colleagues (from when i quit to go fulltime)they know that i no longer bet fulltime,however they think i still have plenty of cash,i can't bring myself to tell them.

Seano.

Hi C,

You are probably slaving away at work right now! lol

I am nipping off for a few days, wanted to say i hope you maintain all your hard work in refraining from the random stuff.

Take care C

Jas x

"What the World needs Now is Love"

PS I know you get bored at times...ever thought about getting a dog...lots of ex-racing greyhounds looking for a loving home.....could go running with you too.

Hi Captain,

That last post of yours really hit home. All my mates think i have got thousands in the bank. I should have as well but truth is that i have gambled virtually every spare penny i have had for the last 15 years.

It's a bit of a shame having to live a lie and put on a show all the time. My missus is forever having a go at me for buying expensive rounds of drinks when i am out in a crowd. It's all part of the act though, making out that i have loads of spare dosh and trying hard to put anyone off the scent that i may have a gambling problem.

Hope everything is still going ok for you Captain. You are a great supporter to many on here and long may that continue.

Posting from my mobile and checking up on you!

How's it going C?

Jas xx

Day 47

Time for reflection again. Another beautiful day, difficult to have to go back to work this afternoon instead of stay in the sunshine.

Almost 7 weeks ago I joined this site. I attempted to give up everything for almost 2 weeks. This period confirmed that was the wrong direction for me. I have to stay involved in advance sports bets.

In the 5 weeks subsequent I have placed 9 football bets. 7 have resulted in returns. (A return is where I get some money back but not all selections are correct so I may lose money slightly, be around level or win slightly).

2 bets have resulted in all correct selections, 2nd one last night when an England victory was the concluding match. Overall in the 5 weeks I am in profit and can reduce a debt a bit more than usual.

5 weeks ago I didnt think I could go into a bookmakers at lunchtime without being drawn into betting on random horses, dogs, virtual racing. This week I have gone in twice, to read the sports pages of the ****** ***** and to pick up a football coupon.

The main thing I need to deal with now is how to fill time better - at present other than coming on here I am not doing anything I didnt do while random gambling. Maybe this is a good thing to give me time for thought as long as I dont get too bored.

Fair play Captain. Although what you do is currently not for me it seems to work for you mate.

Stumper