Life Without Gambling

Hi Dave,

I think in time I will be proud of the person who I am and became.

I didn't know who I was half the time when spending most of my time gambling.

Thanks

Dave O

Posted by: @cristiano-ronaldo

Hi Dave,

do you have any coping mechanisms which has enabled you to be able to do this?

Thanks

Hi,

I have a number of coping mechanisms mate.

I took up running, joined the gym. I am watching more TV these days (boxsets etc), spending more quality time with the wife and kids, cooking more and discovering new recipes etc. Even though I am in my forties, I have started to play a childhood computer game also? 

All in all, very happy with this life rather than the life spending hard earned money gambling all hours of the day/everyday.

All the best.

Thanks

Dave O

124 days GF

Was in two minds to still post as GF as had a mini wobble mid last week.

I was out with friends having a few drinks when one of my friends challenged me to a friendly pub game for a few £.

I didn't even think, accepted and lost the game. Technically this was a gamble.

I was a bit chewed up afterwards.

However, the 124 days are time abstained from visiting bookmakers, visiting online websites gambling hundreds of pounds a day on all kinds of different sports.

I had a very unhealthy relationship with gambling with me firmly now in control.

I am still going to log as GF going forward.

Dave O

126 days GF

?

Congratulations on your good news. The reason places like GA say no gambling at all, not even a friendly pub bet, is because if you allow yourself to think that’s okay then it potentially opens up your mind to think what else is okay. Just be careful as your addiction is always waiting.
I’m not trying to impose any rules on you, it’s your story, I’m just advising through my own experience to be careful.

As I said I congratulate you on your good work.

Chris.

@chris-uk 

Thanks mate.

It's not normally something which I would do. My friend likes a bet from time to time, we had a few pints and I was like 'yeah okay no problem'.

Only afterwards did I think, that was a bet !!

My gambling addiction was all centred around bookmakers predominately gambling online. I have never had an issue with a friendly small bet down the pub between mates.

It's a tricky one. Technically I am not 124 days GF, but in my mind I am.

Hi All,

Been a long time since I last posted, so much has changed and for the better !!!

Still gamble free from the bookies, lost count on days but believe it to be around 333 days. 

Around 4 months back, I broke down and told my wife everything. It was a very difficult conversation to have, but feel so much better because of it knowing that everything is out in the open with no secrets. I hurt my wife and don't want to ever do that again. 

No longer have the urges or thoughts about gambling however I do appreciate that it is still very much 1 day at a time.

For the first time in a long time, I have money in the bank and no worries around money. My bank statements show normal transactions and not an endless list of transactions to online bookies.

It is possible to cut gambling from your life, think positive and have a good weekend everyone. 

Dave