my betting diary

wp,

Although your last post may read like things are tough, if you stand back, you are doing brilliantly.

Around the 6-12 months phase is sooooo common for cg's to lapse aparently. You identified the urge for what it is and saw it as a choice between your promise to yourself/family and to gamble. I think it shows tremendous strength that you recognised it as such.

The start of the jumps season and football season... yes it is a big temptation and there will be many more in the future. That's why we are here and that is why this is such a difficult addiction... it is sly... it is devious... it trys to get us to throw away our good work by urging us to be rebellious or put our fingers up to the world.. where in reality that first bet will be the one that breaks us.

Hope I don't bore you with a reading that you will probably recognise:

Can a compulsive gambler ever gamble normally again?

No. The first small bet to a problem gambler is like the first small drink to an alcoholic. Sooner or later they fall back into the old destructive pattern. Once a person has crossed the invisible line into irresponsible gambling then it seems to be impossible to regain control. After abstaining a few months some of our members have tried some small bet experiments, always with disasterous results. The old obsession inevitably returned. Our experience seems to point to these alternatives; to gamble, risking progressive deterioration, or not to gamble, and develop a spiritual way of life.

If only it was as simle as that, eh ??? lol.

You are doing really well winningpost, and I'm not just saying that... the last post of yours shows strength... you're on a little dip and that's where this addiction gets you. That's where the work is in this recovery. You would know better than me as you are at the mighty 10 month mark.

Chin up and walk tall.

Brian

Many thanks blocked,russ,freda,jeff,steve,maddie,fast life and getting there...i noticed on the forum that 117 new members have started up this month alone...sadly to me thats 117 too many...something defo has to be done with all these advertisements !!! Im still struggling but just for today i wont gamble..we can do this folks 😉

HI wp - so you seem to be struggling a bit as of late. It just shows how difficult beating this addiction can be. Think though on all the advise and support you give out ? think about where you do not want to end back up ? You mentioned on my diary about how long it will take for you to sort out the financial mess. Yep its a long road but no matter how long it can take at least they can be an end in sight so long as we do not gamble.

Those urges to blow your brains out I know only to well but we all also know where it leads to. It just is not worth it you know that. You are a massive asset to this forum and the diarys - remember that! Keep in there 1 firggin day at a time - no gambling if just for TODAY! Onwards and good thoughts to you Blocked.

Hi wp.. thannk you for your timely and supportive interventions on my thread. I see your struggling but have not succumbed.. well done! Keep working at it.. S.A 🙂

Hi wp (the legend).

Thanks for the post mate. Sorry i have not been around much of late.

Glad to see that you are still making the right decisions even though it is hard for you at times. You are an inspiration to many mate and i personally think you have come too far to take a backward step now.

Keep fighting for a better life for you and your bairns.

Curly.

Hi wp, please don't worry. You did not offend me at all. I just feel guilty sometimes about what I have. I know I'm very lucky. I feel bad for you knowing that you have lost your family. That's why I feel that you have great strength. I don't think I would be able to cope with what you have been through.

Thank you blocked,ade,s.a,curly and russ....another miserable day in recovery...same old same old carp treatment relationship wise one step forward three back ..im in a well paid job (though its coming round to a very stressful time of year) fed up working all the overtime going with nothing to show for it...i read of the diaries doing exceptionally well (great reading of successes beating this evil by the way) in going hols buying treats etc. and yet im pondering whether to splash out £8 for a haircut or wait till next payday...isnt life a b i t ch at times...gee its a struggle and am i feeling it these days..howay lad give yourself a shake !!!!....will catch up on diaries later...for now however today i did not bet...

Hi wp

Thanks for your post on mine and from your last post on yours think you need a bit of a positive cheer up post from someone who understands this **** (put that in myself so that gamcare didn't have to )******** it ! Ha Ha!

Keep it going and keep up all the positive posting you do for so many others on here. It is appreciated.

Cheers

David

Duplicate post stupid phone !!

Thanks ade and david..,just for today i will not bet !! Looking ahead to tomorrow is too far !! Odaat it has to be for now !!

Hi wp,

if it were me i would get the haircut. Its better than gambling. I used to tell myself I cant justify buying this or that, then go and gamble more away - and I was left thinking "I could have had it now Ive gambled the same amount away". "at least I would have had something to show for it".

Take care,

f x

hi wp, thank you for taking time to post on my diary.

Hope things have improved for you over the last few days, and you've managed to overcome the temptation to step back into your old life.

I sometimes wonder why i even bother to give up gambling, i always go back to it, eventually. I can't promise this time will be different, but how will i ever know if i don't try ?? -

You ARE a strong person - you wouldn't be here 40 + weeks later if you weren't - and you make a difference to many many other people, who are glad of your support, and want to support you - so tell those life wrecking thoughts to **** OFF !!

all the best

tommi

Thanks freda and tommi..,.freda and ade the point i am trying to make here is some folk may not have compulsive addictions as bad as others...ive said many times we re all different...in sayin that if they can afford nice hols and treats then they may not be as addicted as they thought..the money i was contemplating spendin was no way meant for gambling freda.,..it may be needed for necessities like milk or bread a few days before payday...that really is being on the bones of your a r se and if thats what its like nearly 10 months in what is the point ???? Sounds bitter or jelous all i want to know is Where am i going wrong then !! Sorry guys maybes tomorrow al feel better,am hopin itll pass sooner rather than later.,today i WILL NOT bet ,this addiction WONT beat me !!

HI wp,

Sorry you're feeling fed up these days. Struggling with finances or managing to buy treats and have holidays are differences in peoples lives that will always be in evidence. That's the case whether people have a gambling addiction or not. Of course gambling can account for financial problems in many cases and that will be related to exactly how much debt has been accrued by it.

However we all have different incomes and outgoings in the first place and some did not gamble on credit therefore everyones debts are different too. Some own their own houses and remortgaged to gamble for example and some rent their homes and only gambled with money they had coming in. Bearing all of the above in mind there are going to be huge differences in the financial situation of CGs. And it cannot be concluded that those who are in a position to manage debts with the income they have and still have some money left for treats were any less addicted to gambling than someone who at the moment doesnt have much disposable income at all.

Everything isnt attributed to gambling..jobs, whether we live on our own, have one income or 2 etc etc all play a part.

I don't know your circumstances re income and outgoings. I know you have done so well to stop gambling. I wonder if there is anything you could change to help your financial situation? (obviously not gambling lol)

Hope you start feeling better soon and have a wee bit more money in your pocket. I know it's really tough always scrimping.

Warm thoughts to you

love

Lili x

Thank you kindly for your observations lili...of course you are correct in what you say thats me firmly put in place 🙂 just totally fed up as you said 😉 take care all ive always said we re all different 😉