Moving on..Day 1 and on

Alex.

abstinence is the gift that keeps giving. you my friend keep taking with every days choice.

I believe that through gambling my ' glass' was always half empty, i always looked at everything in a negative way, couldn't see the good in anything, Today I see my 'glass'

as half full, yes there is sh#t in my life but the good always outweighs in.

your positive attitude grants you the same thing fella,you gift yourself that, it's down to your efforts.

for it be proud and most of all enjoy it.

one day at a time.

Duncs stepping forward never back.

Thanks duncanmac. Gambling definitely took me to some dark places and my attitude was negative, and mood was always down.

I shocked I've come this far, as I felt very dependent on the occasional flutter, which was usually till I was skint. Has it really been 6 months?

Today, despite having the odd vague urge every so often, I cannot believe how bad I was hooked. Having escaped it, I feel I'd be the biggest fool to go back for 'one last bet'. I choose not to.

It's a good thing, having control back in your life.

-Alex

Hi Alex,

Would like to congratulate you with your 6months gamble free life! You doing amazing, and it's not easy, and with each day we find something in ourselves we forgot it egsists for so long time. So very well done and keep striding forward!

Have a lovely rest of the day and coming week:-)

Sandra x

Thank you, Sandra. It hasn't always been easy, but it's been worth it.

I have a great deal of change happening at the moment, and by far the biggest is I'm having to move to my dad's. Things will be tough there, money will be tight and it's going to be a struggle to begin with. There also been some change with the work I'm involved with online, meaning I'll be possibly earning less, which isn't great as I don't earn too much anyway. Despite these things I want to have a real good go at improving my life in the coming future. Working harder.

Not wasting my time.

Eating healthily.

Exercising regularly.

Plus, investing some time into an online auction shop to earn more money.

I write this down as I need to act. Things will get tough if I don't. Don't really like the idea of signing on the dole again.

-Alex

Messed my knee up, exercising of all things. Oh well. Bit grumpy, as I've had the same problem before, but optimistic it's only a temporary problem. Resting at the moment, but doing light exercise. Trying to do 25 minutes at day, as it was something that got lost when I got caught up in gambling.

Very pleased to say I'm also game free to a point..well, unhooked and spending less time (or wasting less time) on computer games. The only time I've been playing on them is for my youtube channel as I capture old games and upload the gameplay (yes, I am a nerd). It's a harmless hobby though. Now at least.

Doing well. There is some positive change happening for me at the moment, but a lot more needs to be done on my part.

Still think about gambling now and again, but only fool could go back after so long. My main concern is the new football season and thoughts of betting, but the likely hood of me actually betting is slim, as I aim to stay bet free.

Saw an interesting program on gambling on the itv player. I think it was a Tonight special called 'Britain likes a bet'. One figure that blew me away on the program was that an estimated half million people have gambling problems. Certainly makes you think. How many people out there don't seek help or come to places like this? Very sad, I think. There are a lot of lonely folks with this problem who could use the help but don't know about gamcare and the like.

Worth checking out.

Anyway, till later.

All the best

Alex

Caught a bit of Big Brother, a show I've really watched for 5-6 years that was just on at the time. One of the contestants was an ex-gambler who said he blew 4 million, and his reasoning behind his gambling was loneliness.

To some to degree I was the same. I've never been an outgoing social type, preferring my own company at times. I have a couple of really good friends and that is it really. I feel confident chatting to people I know or even strangers but won't go out of my way to make new friends or anything. I'm not the facebook type, preferring to be private, despite people urging me to get on.

Anyway, I do okay now. Being free of that cursed gambling problem I had has helped greatly. I still have a great deal of work that needs to doing, and when I say that I mean in all areas of my life.

Gambling addiction is a lonely business, maybe more so thinking back now, in terms of hiding it, especially after a blow out. I don't miss the shock and realization of losses that came after I would lose it all. Those days were horrible, and maybe keeping it fresh in my mind will make the thought of ever gambling again, improbable.

I will mull over this some more.

This was a rambling post, but one I wanted to do.

My knee is still a bit funny at the moment. Can't really move it too much, but it will be a passing thing. I won't have it bothering me this time next month, so I trying not to let it do that know. Think I've strained my mcl ligament, but can't be too sure. Having had similar issues like this before, my philosophy, as it almost drove me mad from having hip bursitus is this...Don't panic. Stay Calm.

-Alex

Doing well at the moment. Still gamble free.

Did waste a few quid at the weekend in an amusement arcade, but to me this isn't gambling like I have done before. Spent maybe a fiver, but all this did was reinforce in my mind what a waste of time and money even this mild form of gambling is.

As said, still gamble free, as this sort of gambling was never a problem with me. I did leave the arcade feeling a bit P***** off at myself, but I suppose the solitary incident when compared to my old gambling habit is so minor, I don't even feel I have slipped up. So 6 months free, nearly 7 and a reminder that even the lowly forms of gambling aren't worth my time and money.

I'm feeling my diary has served its purpose now, as I'm convinced I won't gamble anymore. Whilst I need to be careful in saying that, I will keep the diary open and if I feel the need to come at some point in the future, I will be back.

It has helped, as the other users on here have helped me in getting some control back in my life. Thank you all. Wish you all the best on your journeys here and in life.

Closing the chapter now...Gambling and how I overcame it. 🙂

Stay positive.

-Alex

Hey Alex,

I'm glad that you feel strong and ready to carry on in your life...we always be here, and always be ready to support you in anything.

I wish you all the best, you are great help and push to keep going. I hope to hear from you now and again. Keep us updated.

Take care and do what you do, it works:-)

Sandra x

Thank you, Sandra. It means a lot. I hope you'll continue in your brilliant progress and you'll get to where I am now.

Anyway...

Some things/tips that helped me on my recovery journey that I'd like to share.

1.First of all, never give up, giving up. If you slip, so be it, but continue on your recovery.

2.There is no 'one last bet'. It is a chain reaction. Another bet lead to disaster and you're chasing losses and continuing the nightmare of being a compulsive gambler.

3.Abstain. Gambling never did us any good, so why do it? Choice?! Entertainment!? Today we have ourselves a problem, gambling is easily accessible and has somehow become acceptable to us as a society. Remember it's still a vice and is therefore dangerous and most likely harmful in the long run to our well-being, health and finances. Yes, there are folks who can have the odd bet here and there, and it isn't a problem for them, but we are/were compulsive gamblers..we more often than not cannot stop. We will lose everything we have and more if we continue to gamble. Choice? Choose to stop.

4. Everytime you see advertising for anything gambling related, give it the finger. Yes, give Barbara Windsor/Ray Winstone the finger and tell those adverts where to go.

On a serious note, advertising is what more often than not makes people have there first bet these days, as gambling is big business and they need more mugs to play away on whatever and...lose. Yes, they want you to lose. Remember that. Next time you see an advert on the TV, examine it too. Like most adverts, they are only offering nothing but illusions and mindless escapes.

5. The early days are tough, but stick it out. A day will become a week, then a month etc. There will come a point in time, where you'll be so free of anything gambling related you ponder why you ever did it.

6. Stay positive.

7. Post in your diary regularly.

8. Should urges come, which will happen early on, get posting in your diary.

9. Support others on here. Read other diaries.

10. Remember at those low points, whenever they will come, that although life is a rubbish at times, at least I'm not gambling and be thankful for it. And whatever you do, don't use a low points to gamble. Be strong. Tomorrow is a new day. Today might be lousy, but tomorrow can be better.

11. Have a hobby or goal/achievement. Do something other than waste you time and money gambling.

12. Listen to the 'Galaxy Song' from Monty Python. lol. It works for me. In fact, anything that will inspire and make you think about life and things general is good.. Music, books, films etc.

13. Lastly and to cement it in your mind again.. Don't give up, giving up. Stick it out. Life is better bet free.

Wish you all the best. Thanks to all those who have helped me on here. I'm cautious to say I'll never gamble again, I must admit, but right now I choose not to do it and wish to remain bet free forever, if that's possible. A day at a time, as is said. I might get there. Still, I will leave my diary open, if I feel the need to come back.

All the best

Alex

Good look Alex.

Keep in touch and let me know how you are getting on.

Take care.

Feb.

Alex

I related to and agreed with your post on another diary which said the non gambling life can be a rut as can life itself. I have now read some of your diary and we appear to have in common that we are comfortable and a lot of the time prefer our own company.

I also agree with many of your final recommended considerations and recommdndations. I have already put many of these into practice during my recovery period.

Good to read you feel confident about not gambling and well done on your long period of abstinence.

Thank you Captain46. Gambling is a very lonely business for the most part, or it was for me at least. I cut myself off from reality when I was a gambler and now with some hindsight, see what a fool I was to kid myself into continuing month after month. That being said, even despite its nastiness, I believe some positive came about through my battle with gambling. I now appreciate the money I earn more and to some extent am more outgoing and sociable as one of my ways of conquering my problem was to get out and bide my time better.

It has been a learning curve in mistakes and the world of having a vice to deal with. To be out of it has been a kind of revelation, as I feel able to cope with life without the need to escape with a bet or a game of poker.

Now 200 plus days free. Not entirely free from the odd urge, but I'm choosing a better life without gambling in it.

Hey Alex

Lovely to see your post and to also see you racing ahead over the 200 mark. Well done. I reached my 200th day last Thursday so all good with me too.

Take care.

Feb.

Thank you, Feb. Well done to you too. It's been a slog hasn't it? Worth it. Yes.

Still, I must admit, my only reason for really coming back again is those bloomin' urges at the back of my mind. These are football and betting related. With the premier league about to start again, the urges have been pestering me for another bite of the gambling apple. I'd feel a hypocrite if I gambled again though, so I'm sort of confused. Gambling brought me a lot of trouble, but part of me also enjoyed the odd recreational bet. It's a difficult one, as the bet I have in mind is small and just once fortnightly - A fiver, my team to win. Is this the road to ruin for me? Should I not even think about betting again?

As said, betting was a small part of my gambling problem. A problem nonetheless though. The real issues were with poker, something I will never have myself doing for money ever again.

My biggest sports betting blow-out however, must have been about 150-200 on a game though, which bothers me greatly, as I started with these small bets and then lost control.

I guess I'm very confused at the moment and am carried away with this new football season.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Alex ..Still bet free 🙂 Just.